7 popular bedroom plants

Bedroom plants for a good night’s sleep

Cold, heat, draughts, low light… Conditions in the bedroom are often just a little different from those in the rest of the house. That means not every plant is equally suited to the bedroom. Still, there are plenty of plants that feel perfectly at home there. Read on, discover 7 bedroom plants and experience the positive effects of having plants in your bedroom!

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, transforms your bedroom into a green paradise with its large leaves. Monstera is a striking houseplant that’s easy to care for, as it doesn’t need much light or water.

Place this bedroom plant somewhere in (partial) shade and only water it once the potting soil has dried out slightly. Are yellow-brown spots appearing on the leaves? Give your Monstera a little more indirect sunlight or a little less water.

Sanseviera (Snake plant)

The Sanseviera (Snake plant) also known as the Snake Plant, is one of the lowest-maintenance plants you can have in your bedroom. This easy-going plant is known for its sleek, upright leaves, which can be green and/or yellow.

Sansevieria is well suited to the bedroom because it thrives in low light and needs very little water. It’s also known as an air-purifying plant that produces oxygen at night (rather than during the day), which can have a positive effect on the quality of your sleep.

Succulents

Green, red, purple, small with rosettes or large with upright leaves, with or without flowers: Succulents come in all shapes and sizes. That means there’s always a Succulent to suit the style of your bedroom.

Succulents are very easy to care for. They need little water and prefer a warm, bright spot, such as a sunny windowsill. It’s better to give a Succulent plenty of water in one go (then let the soil dry out for a few weeks) than to give it a little every week.

Yucca 

Another popular bedroom plant is the Yucca, also known as the Yucca Palm. This easy-going plant has a bold, striking look thanks to its long, pointed, sharp leaves growing from a woody stem. The leaves are fresh green, sometimes with a touch of creamy white or yellow.

Yucca is well suited to the bedroom because it requires very little maintenance. The plant needs little water and loves plenty of light, but can also cope with lower-light conditions. The Yucca Palm is also known for its air-purifying properties, meaning it can make a positive contribution to the air quality in your bedroom.

Aloe Vera 

Aloe Vera is easy to recognise by its grey-green, fleshy, thick, upright leaves with sharp edges, which grow upwards in a rosette. This Succulent definitely deserves a place on the list of bedroom plants, as it’s considered one of the best air-purifying plants. The sap of the plant is also known for its soothing effect on red or irritated skin. Handy for applying before bed!

Aloe Vera is a very easy, highly air-purifying plant that helps support the air quality in your bedroom. Aloe needs very little water (once every few weeks), but do place the plant somewhere bright and warm, such as a sunny windowsill.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)

Zamioculcas zamiifolia, better known as the ZZ Plant, can be recognised by its sturdy, leathery, feather-shaped leaves that grow upwards. The plant has a stylish appearance and is one of the easiest and hardiest houseplants. That makes it perfect for the bedroom.

The ZZ Plant feels at home almost anywhere. Lots of light, little light, a forgotten watering: the ZZ Plant really doesn’t mind. This houseplant is practically indestructible!

Epipremnum

Epipremnum, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a fast-growing climbing and trailing plant. That makes it perfect for filling (small) spaces with plenty of greenery. Devil’s Ivy can be recognised by its heart-shaped to elongated leaves, which grow along long vines. The leaves are smooth with a subtle sheen. They’re often yellowish, light green or cream.

Epipremnum is easy to care for. Give it a spot in (partial) shade and a splash of water once every two weeks. Has the plant grown too large? Simply trim it back, or take a cutting so you can let it shine in another room too!

Which large plant is suitable for the bedroom?

First consider how much light your bedroom gets, then use that to decide which large plant will suit the space. Large houseplants that need lots of light include Strelitzia and Ficus lyrata. Large houseplants suitable for a bedroom with partial shade include Ficus elastica and Monstera. Large plants that thrive in a bedroom with low light include Dracaena, Polyscias and Kentia. Want to read more? Discover XL houseplants and tips for caring for them.

What helps keep mosquitoes out of the bedroom?

Plants such as Lavender, Lemongrass or Basil are known for their fresh, herbal scent, a fragrance that mosquitoes naturally find less appealing. To get the most out of them, gently bruise the leaves or rub them between your fingers every now and then, for example near the window or beside your bed. This releases the aromatic oils and helps spread the scent. If you want to keep mosquitoes out altogether, a combination works best: fragrant plants for atmosphere and a pleasant scent, and insect screens on windows and doors as a reliable barrier. That way, you can enjoy greenery and a mosquito-free bedroom.

Which plant produces lots of oxygen in the bedroom?

Houseplants produce oxygen, which is a lovely added benefit, although the amount produced by a few plants is too small to actually increase the oxygen level in your bedroom. For fresh air, good ventilation and regularly airing the room remain the most important things. Even so, plants are a great addition to the bedroom: they bring calm and greenery into the space, soften sound a little and have a soothing effect on many people, making it easier to relax as you drift off to sleep.

Which plants purify the air in the bedroom?

• The short answer: no plant will measurably purify the air in your bedroom. That doesn’t mean plants have no positive effects in the bedroom! Quite the opposite: plants create atmosphere, help you relax and have many more positive effects on your mental and physical health. And did you know that a 'plant break' is the ultimate way to unwind and slow down?
  
• The long answer: some houseplants, such as these 10 houseplants, are described as air-purifying, and that label doesn’t come from nowhere. NASA research from 1989 showed that these plants can absorb certain harmful substances from the air. However, this air-purifying effect isn’t measurable in a bedroom, or in any other room in the home. To achieve a noticeable result, you would need to live in a completely sealed room filled with a very large number of houseplants. Want to know more? Read this article about the effects and workings of air-purifying houseplants.

More green inspiration

Feeling inspired to bring more greenery into other rooms in your home? Discover these 10 plants for the bathroom, give smaller spaces a green upgrade with a cool, easy-care trailing plant, or transform your seating area into a green oasis of calm.