20 Best Plants to Keep in the Bedroom for Better Sleep and Air Quality

Bringing plants into the bedroom is an excellent way to enhance your personal sanctuary. The right bedroom plants not only look great as decorative accents but also provide health and wellness benefits that can help you sleep better at night.

Certain plants are known to purify indoor air, increase oxygen levels, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. Making plants part of your bedroom decor is an affordable way to create a more restful sleep environment.

To help you pick the perfect plants for your bedroom, here are the top 20 best options to consider:

1. Snake Plant

The snake plant, also called mother-in-law’s tongue or sansevieria, is a classic bedroom plant option. This hardy succulent has stiff, upright leaves that almost resemble swords. Snake plants are champions at filtering out air pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. They also release oxygen at night, helping you breathe easier while asleep.

2. Peace Lily

With its gorgeous white blooms and lush green leaves, the peace lily brings a tranquil essence to the bedroom. This low-maintenance plant is excellent at removing mold spores and volatile organic compounds from indoor air. Peace lilies also give off moisture to naturally boost bedroom humidity.

3. English Ivy

The trailing vines of English ivy make it perfectly suited for hanging planters or shelves. Studies show this popular houseplant effectively reduces airborne mold by up to 94%. English ivy also absorbs benzene, formaldehyde and other toxins. Its natural air purification is a great reason to add it to your bedroom.

4. Aloe Vera

Best known for its skin healing properties, aloe vera is also an advantageous indoor plant. The succulent leaves contain a gel that gives off oxygen at night, while simultaneously absorbing carbon dioxide and returning needed moisture to the air. Aloe vera thrives on weekly watering and bright, indirect light.

5. Gardenia

Gardenias are prized for their intoxicating white flowers and sweet floral fragrance that serves as a natural tranquilizer. These shrubs grow well in bright indoor light and also make bedrooms smell great. Some gardenia species can help clean benzene from indoor air as well.

6. Lavender

Lavender isn’t just for outside anymore. Growing lavender plants indoors brings pleasant fragrance and color to bedroom spaces. Lavender’s scent has stress-reducing abilities that encourage peaceful sleep. For indoor lavender care, provide ample sunlight and allow soil to dry between waterings.

7. Aglaonema

Also known as Chinese evergreen, the aglaonema is an easy care option ideal for beginners. Its patterned leaves with hues of silver, green, and red add eyecatching style wherever you place it. Aglaonemas absorb toxins like benzene and formaldehyde. Let soil dry out some between watering these low-light plants.

8. Dracaena

Tall, upright, and striking, dracaena is commonly found in homes and offices due to its durability. The boldly striped leaves of this tropical plant work to filter formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene from indoor air. Dracaenas thrive in moderate light with regular watering.

9. Spider Plant

Both practical and pretty, spider plants are prolific producers of plantlets. Spider plants remove xylene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde from indoor environments. Let them cascade from baskets or set them on plant stands. Spider plants tolerate a wide range of light conditions.

10. Rubber Plant

Hardy rubber plant features large, glossy leaves that instantly become the focus in a bedroom. It rates high for air purification, filtering out formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene. Provide bright, indirect light avoiding direct sun. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.

11. Gerbera Daisy

Few flowers can compete with the vibrant beauty of gerbera daisies. These blooms act as natural air filters while adding energizing color and charm. NASA studies found gerbera daisies effective at removing benzene and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Place them by bright windows.

12. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums, also called mums, are available in a huge range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Hardy, long-lasting blooms make them ideal for beautifying bedrooms. Chrysanthemums filter out benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and ammonia. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry.

13. Boston Fern

With long, cascading fronds, the Boston fern has an untamed beauty perfect for hanging in macrame plant holders. Boston ferns naturally increase humidity while filtering out formaldehyde and xylene. Place them in bright, indirect light and keep soil evenly moist.

14. Orchid

Lovely orchids add a delicate, feminine feel to bedroom spaces. Phalaenopsis and moth orchids are best for beginners due to their low maintenance needs, while also removing xylene and formaldehyde from indoor air. Orchids thrive in humid environments in a sunny window.

15. Bamboo Palm

Reaching up to 10 feet tall when grown indoors, the bamboo palm gives bedrooms a taste of the tropics. It effectively removes benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the surroundings. Bamboo palms appreciate bright, filtered light and frequent misting.

16. Cast Iron Plant

Nearly indestructible, cast iron plants tolerate low light and inconsistent watering quite well. The lengthy, pointed leaves of this rugged plant help filter out benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. Cast iron plants are slow but steady growers.

17. Peace Lily

A cousin to the Spathiphyllum mentioned earlier, the peace lily or Zamioculcas zamiifolia filters out ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from indoor air. Its tropical vibe and minimal care requirements make it ideal for bedrooms. Give it medium to low light and water when dry.

18. Chinese Evergreen

Another easy-going option, this Chinese evergreen features striking variegated leaves. It improves air quality by removing pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde. Allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings. Light is less important to this adaptable plant.

19. Florist’s Chrysanthemum

Happy little yellow and white daisy-like blooms make this plant cheery and charming. Not only pretty to look at, florist’s chrysanthemums effectively eliminate benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and ammonia from indoor air. Give them lots of bright sunlight.

20. Heart Leaf Philodendron

A climbing vine plant, heart leaf philodendron looks darling in hanging planters. The glossy, heart-shaped leaves help filter out formaldehyde. Water when the top soil becomes dry. Philodendrons grow well in low to medium light conditions.

When selecting bedroom plants, consider factors like your space, lighting, and how much maintenance you can provide. Follow proper care tips for your plants to keep them healthy and functioning at their best. With the right plants, you’ll breathe easier and sleep more soundly.