18 Plants That Help You Sleep Better Than Ever
There’s no better roommate than a houseplant! They don’t steal your food, they listen to you and they also give you a good night’s sleep. While most people know that plants purify the air and help you breathe better, did you know that a combination of their air-cleaning properties and some of their other relaxing characteristics can actually help you have a more restful snooze? There are lots of plants that help you sleep! What’s interesting is that each plant works in a different way.
During the evening, some plants are better at purifying the air and making you breathe easier since they release a lot of oxygen and absorb the carbon dioxide you exhale while you sleep. Examples of such plants are spider plants and aloe vera plants. Take a peek at the common VOCs listed below. We breath easier when we breathe clean air, so find out how plants treat the air and how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they absorb.
- Trichloroethylene. Paints, varnishes, dry cleaning solutions, and adhesives contain this substance.
- Benzene. Solvents such as this are commonly found in gasoline, oils, rubber and plastics.
- Formaldehyde. Organic compound that penetrates many types of plastic and often appears on bags, facial tissues, cleaning agents, and paper towels.
- Xylene. There are several sources of this chemical, including tobacco smoke, rubber, paint, and vehicle exhaust.
- Ammonia. Cleaning products, floor wax, and fertilizers commonly contain this substance.
Other plants, such as jasmine and gardenia, emit soothing aromas that can reduce stress, anxiety, and help you sleep better. You can diffuse essential oils, make homemade incense, or house live plants in your bedroom to benefit from their healing aromas.
Get a good night’s sleep to reap these benefits. When you get a good night’s sleep, you wake up more alert and focused, have more energy, and your mood improves. These benefits all begin with getting a good night’s rest.
The following is a list of our top plants for sleeping! We detailed their sleep-inducing properties, care guidelines and the best place to display them in your bedroom. Browse through our guide to find the best plants to display in your bedroom.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has probably been utilized on at least a couple of occasions in the past to soothe a sunburn, but did you know that aloe vera plants are also useful for aiding sleep? At night, aloe vera releases oxygen that cleanses the air and allows us to breathe easier. This plant is particularly effective at eliminating benzene and formaldehyde from the environment.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Areca palms add a tropical feel to your room with their exotic-looking leaves and natural humidity. This feature is especially beneficial for those who suffer from sinus problems at night. They are also effective at removing toxins from the air, like formaldehyde.
Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
Large bamboo palm trees breathe on airborne toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and other pollutants. They are best placed near windows for them to soak up enough light to support their leaves. Bamboo palms will enhance the decor of your entire room.
Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)
Bromeliads are another type of tropical plant that can help you sleep while they clean the air. They increase oxygen in the evening, while absorbing carbon dioxide in the daytime. It should be no surprise that exotic plants such as that mentioned earlier keep the air clean. Pair this with a palm to create a clean and tropical feel in your bedroom every night.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A study shows that chamomile induces sleep and increases the likelihood of you having uninterrupted sleep. The herb is used in teas, essential oils, and other things to unwind and relax. The leaves and flowers of this plant are perfect for making fresh chamomile tea and oils. Keep one near your bed, maybe with a fresh lavender plant, to enjoy its fresh and relaxing aroma all night.
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
You can use these plants to purify the air in your bedroom. These gorgeous plants require little attention and look great on a bedside table or desk. Bedside Chinese evergreens will greet you with bright leaves and clean, humid air every morning.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
It is recommended to use an English ivy if allergies seem to make you feel unwell at night. Research suggests that its leaves help prevent mold and feces from getting into the air, and another suggests that it provides relief from asthma symptoms. If you live in a room with kids or animals and want to make the air cleaner even better, then install this air purifier. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets, as it’s toxic if ingested.
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Known for their unique aroma, gardenias are common in flower gardens. These flower emit a tranquil smell which can reduce stress and induce sleep. One study found that gardenia flowers are a great natural alternative to sleeping pills like Valium.
Adding gardenia flowers to your bedroom can help you sleep soundly and avoid waking up in the middle of the night. Rather than reaching for sleeping pills when insomnia strikes, get some for your room as a natural remedy for falling asleep.
Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)
If you would like the color of gerbera daisies in your room to stand out from your greenery, these plants are great choices. They can increase the level of oxygen in your bedroom at night, which is a great benefit to you when you’re tired. Additionally, they carry the ability to purify the air, so you will breathe in a healthy level of oxygen throughout the day. These particular daisies are better suited for farmers with green thumbs who have the time and resources to give them close tender loving care.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
A room with golden pothos plants is another great choice for purifying the air, especially for removing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. They were named one of the top air-purifying plants in NASA’s clean air study. Golden pothos is a great air-purifying plant to get rid of clutter on your shelves and floor. Its beautiful, trailing leaves can be used for hanging baskets and shelving.
Jasmine (Jasminum)
Jasmine flowers are well appreciated for their sweet fragrance, often found in perfume and candles. This pleasant smell will help you sleep better and is good for refreshing your room. Researchers claim that jasmine scents reduce anxiety and improve sleep, which leads to better, more productive mental performance throughout the day.
Lavender (Lavandula)
With its essential oils and sachets placed under pillows, lavenders are often used to induce better sleep and create a relaxing environment in the bedroom. Lavender plants assist with relaxation during the day and will put you to sleep quickly in the evening.
Researchers found that lavender decreased stress, anxiety, and crying in babies while getting them to fall asleep at night, as well as reducing stress levels among mothers! This is what we call a win-win situation for everyone. An earlier study found that smelling lavender before sleeping helps you experience deeper sleep and a greater feeling of energy in the morning.
Orchid (Orchidaceae)
Besides providing you with lots of oxygen, tropical flowers help you sleep by absorbing carbon dioxide during the day and releasing it in the evening. Orchids are not different from many of the plants on this list in this regard. These blooms are perfect for your nightstand so you can breathe easier at night. They can also serve as a beautiful sight in the morning.
Passion Flower (Passiflora)
Researchers found that passion flowers can relieve anxiety and insomnia better than Oxazepam, which is the common anxiety-relieving drug. Passion flowers brighten the spirits with their captivating colors. Passion flowers are also soothing to the minds with their soothing scents.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lily benefits include reducing air contamination, adding a peaceful atmosphere to your bedroom, and purifying all five kinds of VOCs. However, if you have pets or kids in the house, you might not be able to enjoy the benefits. To prevent any accidents, keep peace lilies out of reach of children and pets. This plant is toxic when swallowed.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Many studies have found that these bedroom plants provide better air quality and help you have a restful sleep. NASA’s clean air study claims that these plants help remove formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and benzene from the air. Viper’s bowstring hemp, also known as snake plants, is a tall plant that is ideal for filling empty corners of rooms.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
A spindly plant like a spider plant is great for absorbing toxins in the air such as formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide, and xylene. Spider plants can also increase oxygen levels to improve breathing in the evening.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Despite its last position on our list of fragrant flowers, valerian flowers make a graceful and refreshing impact in your bedroom. Inhaling the scent of a valerian flower helps you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep by increasing your body’s melatonin levels. The blooms on this list are perfect for you if you struggle to fall asleep at night and you need a little soft color in your bedroom.