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These houseplants aren't just a pretty face.
When it comes to a good night's sleep, there are certain healthy habits we try to incorporate. Following a consistent sleep schedule, staying off the phone before bed, and laying off too much caffeine late in the day can all help improve sleep.
However, having the right bedroom environment can also provide a sanctuary of blissful sleep. This can include a good-quality mattress, cool temperatures, and neutral tones throughout the room to create a calming atmosphere. But let’s not leave out the power of house plants in the bedroom either.
We spoke to a couple of experts to learn about the best plants to have in the bedroom and why they just might help you sleep better. Plus, the ones you should avoid.
Meet the Experts:
Thomas Peters is the director of landscape and horticulture at Serenbe.
Stephanie Lucas, Director of Horticulture and Operations for Madison Square Park.
According to the National Library of Medicine, indoor plants can help lower your heart rate and body temperature so it makes sense why they might help you slip into relaxation and fall asleep more easily.
Since the bedroom is made for sleeping, it usually has less harsh light than other parts of the room. This means you’ll need to seek plants that can handle these types of light conditions.
Snake plants are pretty easy to take care of since they don't require a lot of fuss. These plants aren't looking for frequent watering and will likely only need to be repotted after a few years. Plus, snake plants don't need too much sunlight to thrive, either.
Peter says certain “low-maintenance houseplants that can live in low-light conditions include snake plant, pothos, and philodendron.”
Another easy-to-care-for indoor plant is pothos. There are many different types of pothos to enjoy, but no matter which you choose, they'll likely thrive in medium to bright light and non-humid conditions which can make for the perfect bedroom plant.
Philodendrons are super popular indoor plants because they are so easy to grow. Many philodendron varieties come in different sizes and textures to match your space and most enjoy indirect sunlight, including the heartleaf philodendron so a bedroom window may do nicely.
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Horticulture expert Stephanie Lucas says a ZZ plant is also a great option as it “is a low light and structural plant with low water needs.”
If you’re looking for aromatic plants that smell good, Peters states there are several options like lavender, which can provide a calming scent. “Aromatic plants release pleasant scents providing additional benefit to sleep quality,” he says.
We know chamomile tea has plenty of health benefits, including helping you sleep. So who wouldn't want to grow this calming herb that can be dried and used in a delicious cup of tea? This flowering herb is reminiscent of a small daisy, so it's definitely pretty to look at. But since it only needs light watering and a cool temperature to thrive, it might make a great addition to your bedroom plant collection.
If you want to enjoy the calming scent of gardenia in your bedroom, you’ll need to have good soil drainage, explains Peters. “Soil drainage is improved by using porous terracotta pots,” he says. “And integrating sand, perlite, or other coarse materials to the potting mix.”
Lucas agrees that lavender and chamomile are great bedroom plant choices, as well as rosemary. However, these plants may need a bit more light than a dark bedroom can provide. “All three require bright light and regular watering and have scented foliage and flowers,” Peters says. But that doesn't mean you can't grow these plants there.
To add more lighting for these types of plants, Peters suggests placing them near a south-facing window and open the curtains during the day, or consider a full-spectrum LED panel to shine light on the plant.
Lucas says it’s important to stay away from cacti, agaves, and other plants with sharp leaves or spines in your bedroom. These pointy plants don't necessarily give off a cozy aesthetic, and their needles can hurt if you should stumble on them in the middle of the night.
She also explains any plants that are incredibly fragrant like jasmine and members of the citrus family might impact your sleep (and allergies) and are better off placed outside of your bedroom.
Lastly, she says any “plants that shed or have sticky sap or nectar such as hoya, fiddle leaf fig, and crown of thorns,” should always be avoided near where you're sleeping. No one wants to roll over and knock down one of these sticky plants only to find the sap on their skin or in their sheets.