5 Purifying Bedroom Plants for Cleaner Breathing & Better Sleep
You spend about a third of your entire day in your bedroom and usually, you’re sleeping.
After all, this is what a bedroom is for. Ideally, you want to make this space as restful and peaceful as possible. That way, you can get a good sleep each and every night.
Surprisingly, plants aren’t just decorative items that bring nature into your home. In fact, there are many air purifying plants that can actually help you get better sleep.
You may have never considered the air quality in your home, or even thought it was an issue. Think, have you ever woken up in the morning with congestion or a tight chest? Is your bedroom covered in pet hair? When in the last time you truly cleaned under your bed? Even if these questions didn’t make you mentally schedule a thorough deep cleaning, an air-purifying plant might be just what you need (although if you are feeling persistently ill, it may be best to discuss your symptoms with your doctor or a health professional).
It’s the new health trend - using house plants to purify your air. Once only for home beauty, mind and soul health, plants are good for body health as well. And we’ve got everything you need to know about it. Let's take a look!
Why is it Important to Have Clean Air in Your House?
Here’s the thing: A lot of household items - even your furniture - can release chemicals into the air, making it harder for you or your family to breathe.
Usually, we assume air pollution is limited to the outdoors. We think of factories or cars that are throwing waste into the air we breathe.
Yet, your indoor air is just as much a culprit when it comes to pollution. Not to cause alarm, but it’s important to be aware that just because you’re indoors, it doesn’t mean you’re breathing in fresh air.
Why does this happen?
Every single time you open a door or window, polluted air can enter your indoor space.
Common sources of Indoor Air Pollution are…
- Mold and bacteria
- Tobacco smoke
- Scented household products
- Radon and carbon monoxide
- Dust and pollen
Indoor air is also often full of allergens, including dust and sometimes mold. If it’s humid in your living space, this can also encourage bacteria or mold to grow. Further, your cooking and heating systems all release particles that go into your air, impacting what you’re breathing in!
Especially in the current reality that has many of us stuck inside due to the pandemic, cleansing your indoor and home air has never been more important than right now.
So, what are the best air purifying plants for your bedroom? What should you consider when decorating your slumber chamber for the most cleansing sleep yet?
The benefits never stop growing, here are our favorites: Top 5 Benefits of Bringing Plants Into Your Home.
The Best Plants for Your Bedroom for Clean Air
1. Snake Plant
Snake plants don’t just amp up the aesthetic appeal of your bedroom with its sword-like appearance. They also absorb any toxins in your air through its leaves, and then filters it, providing you with fresh oxygen.
Unlike other plants that tend to release more carbon dioxide at night, this one supplies a steady flow of O2. It’s also wonderful when it comes to filtering out formaldehyde, a toxin found in many personal care products and cleaning products.
The other good news? It thrives with little bits of light and humid air. This means it may also be a great bathroom plant.
2. Pothos or Devil’s Ivy
Not a plant person? With Devil’s Ivy, you don’t need to be!
Not to be confused with poison ivy (because that would be the last thing you would want in your room), this bedroom plant can withstand your neglect and also low levels of light. And yup, it can help purify your air.
Interestingly, many of these plants may require a light fan blowing their way, since they may not purify the air unless it is actively flowing over or through them. Just something to keep in mind!
3. Monstera
This air purifying plant is one of the most stunning ones. In fact, you’ve probably seen it around on social media and home decor sites.
With leaves shaped like swiss cheese, it requires only moderate light. It also absorbs formaldehyde from your air, very much like snake plants.
In addition, this plant can also help humidify your air, which is a great option for those with air conditioning. However, this is not a good option for those with pets that like to chew on or eat plants, since it can be toxic to them.
4. Anthurium
Get this: Anthurium is the longest blooming plant.
What does this mean? It means that its flowers last not just a few days or a week, but for almost eight weeks in some cases.
Experts claim that his plant is highly effective when it comes to removing ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene from the air your breath.
It’s also so easy to take care of! While it may require bright light for most of the day (this is entirely possible to achieve in most bedrooms), it also only needs to be watered about once a week or once the soil has dried out.
5. Dracaena
Dracaena is another air-purifying plant that’s easy to keep alive. It requires minimal and indirect sunlight, as well as watering to just keep the soil moist.
It’s further very efficient at removing formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and other toxins, which makes your air that much fresher.
Bonus: Lavender
While this plant doesn’t necessarily cleanse your air, there is evidence indicating that lavender has a relaxing and calming effect on the nervous system. It also reduces your heart rate and blood pressure, settling you into a peaceful slumber. Additionally, it’s a natural scent that can cleanse a space instead of adding to the air pollutants like aerosols and air fresheners can.
The best place for this bedroom plant? Set it right by your bed so that you can inhale the scent, since this is where the magic happens.
Make Your Bedroom Your Sleeping Oasis
Now that there are services that allow you to ship plants to your home, it’s simpler than ever before to add some greenery to your living spaces.
So, begin with adding a bit of nature to your space. Even if it’s just one plant, it can make a world of difference to the air you breathe and the life you lead. It cleanses your air, calms you, and can help you get that full sleep you desperately crave.
Want plant suggestions for the rest of your house: Here are 13 Air Purifying Plants to Detox Your Home.
