For those who are keeping up with the Joneses, bringing the outside indoors is one of the biggest interior design trends. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, plants bring positive energy and health benefits into the home, specifically in the bedroom. They may not make the magic happen in a traditional sense, but they may help you sleep more soundly, and that may be the magic you’re looking for.
Insomnia and sleep apnea are two of the primary conditions that result in interrupted sleep and irregular circadian rhythm. Whether your breathing is causing you to sleep poorly, or high stress levels & nonstop thoughts are keeping you awake, placing the following plants in your bedroom can help to improve your sleep and your sleeping environment.
Ficus Tree
The ficus tree is often considered to be merely decorative, a plant that makes an office or living room less mundane. Ficus trees help to remove 70% of benzene, ammonia, toluene, and other harmful materials, which are emitted from poor quality furniture, from the air. By removing these pathogens from the air in your bedroom, your breathing will benefit, making the ficus tree an excellent plant for those with sleep apnea or allergies.
Jasmine
The small white flowers of a jasmine plant are visually stunning and the scent, which is often used in its essential oil, is sweet and relaxing. Jasmine plants are easy to take care of and survive in small pots, making them ideal for placing near the bed (perhaps on your dresser, windowsill, or night stand). Studies have shown that jasmine’s scent has helped to reduce anxiety levels and improve overall sleep quality.
Aloe Vera
Known for its myriad medicinal properties, aloe vera is always beneficial to have in or around the house. Because it produces a lot more oxygen at night, aloe vera helps to improve the air quality of the space it occupies. This makes it a great plant to have in the bedroom because it means that the air you breathe is less harmful to the lungs and immune system. The higher amount of oxygen can help you fall asleep more easily. If you ever have a skin irritation, sunburn, scrape, or dry skin, you can always cut one of the leaves and apply the gel to promote natural healing.
Valerian
Valerian has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for those with insomnia. Brewing the root of the plant into a tea and drinking it has helped to induce sleep and helped people remain asleep. Alternatively, the flowers have been used in aromatherapy to improve sleep quality. If you find that you struggle to fall asleep, keep a valerian plant in your bedroom. You can run a bath about an hour or two before bed and add several valerian petals to the water to create a calming bath. Be sure to keep the plant near a windowsill because it requires about six hours of sunlight per day.
Snake Plant
Sometimes referred to as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” the snake plant emits oxygen at night to help improve the air around you. As stated before, improving the air quality can help you sleep more soundly. Snake plants help to remove harmful chemicals, including xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. Believe it or not, formaldehyde commonly circulates inside the house because it is in a lot of commercial hairsprays. This chemical can lead to respiratory problems, so keep a snake plant in the bedroom to purify the air.
Peace Lily
The peace lily is similar to aloe vera and the snake plant, in that it helps to clean the air. NASA found that it is also efficient at increasing the humidity in a room by up to 5%. While you are sleeping, inhaling air that is clean and mildly humid can ease your breathing and make you less susceptible to developing colds or respiratory conditions. The peace lily plant requires minimal care, only requiring water once a week.
