In recent studies, scientists have confirmed that sleep is an essential contributor to mental health, surpassing good nutrition and physical exercise. However, what will help you fall asleep? Relaxing podcasts, the best pillows for every type of sleeper, and wellness products (like CBD, melatonin, and magnesium) are designed to help you sleep better.
Are you aware that there are also certain houseplants which are supposed to make you sleep better?
There’s no urban myth about it. Some plants can improve your sleeping quality when you bring them into your bedroom. In addition to purifying the air, plants can also remove toxins. As well as calming the mind and improving a sleeper’s mood, they also muffle nighttime noises. This isn’t just something we say.
A report from NASA shows that specific plants are capable of absorbing airborne toxins and purifying a room’s air. A number of toxins are introduced into your home by cleaning supplies or by plastic materials, including formaldehyde, ammonia, xylene, and benzene. In addition to absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, plants also release the oxygen we humans need for survival.
Several plants, whether brewed into a tea (think chamomile) or smelled, soothe the mind and induce sleep, even your grandparents knew that. Green leafy vegetables give you a mental boost while counterbalancing depression and stress. The use of indoor plants can also create a more serene sleep environment by acting as a sound “hedge”.
Which ones should you choose for this sleep magic? There are many plants that can serve as a botanical lullaby. Our current favorites are listed below.
Peace Lily
It is said that you may find yourself relaxing after looking at a peaceful peace lily (Spathiphyllium). This plant has beautiful, emerald green leaves and white flowers that rise from the foliage like angels.
Peace lilies are native to tropical rainforests in South America, but they do not belong to the Liliaceae family at all. According to NASA, however, this plant is very effective when it comes to removing toxins from the air.
In addition to suppressing mold spores and microbes that can cause allergies, they are also known to increase the humidity in the air they breathe. It is less likely that you will wake up coughing in the middle of the night.
For the best results, choose a light shade for peace lily plants. They do best in areas with low light. You should keep them away from cold drafts as they prefer a stable, warm temperature. Water the plants once a week or every 10 days, and make sure they have well-draining soil.
Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a perennial herb. Those looking for sedative effects are able to ingest supplements made from its dried roots. Insomnia and sleep disorders have been countered by almost hypnotic properties in these plants. You can make tea from the dried herb to enhance your sleep before you go to bed. Scientists have determined that the valerian blossom contains more than 150 chemicals that reduce stress levels.
The Valerian plant is a flowering plant that is believed to help you sleep better if you keep a pot of it in your bedroom. In scientific studies, it has been reported that sniffing valerian plants (using those plants as “odorants”) results in a longer and more restful sleep.
Valerian requires good drainage, so make sure that the pot has drainage holes and that the soil is gritty. Fill up the saucer under the pot and empty it as soon as it is full. Solar light is necessary for Valerian’s growth. The only alternative if your bedroom lacks a window facing south or west is grow lights. Weekly watering is recommended.
Snake Plant
Sansevieria is officially a Sansevieria, but don’t let its sharp nicknames (snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue) fool you. In fact, the snake plant is named for its long, slender, upright leaves instead of for its particular bitterness.
African, Asian, and European hot regions are the principal sources for snake plants. You can rely on it to clean the air you breathe all night long. NASA reports that the snake plant will remove formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, toluene, or trichloroethylene from the air in your bedroom. During the night, it also produces oxygen from carbon dioxide.
The snake plant doesn’t require as much care as you might expect if it actually removes toxins from the air. Plants like this one thrive with only a little water, but they can easily get by with benign neglect in low light. Make sure the plant’s soil drains easily and don’t overwater it for heaven’s sake.
Golden Pothos
Golden pothos is the new easy-care plant. Its leaves cascade and require no light or humans to care for them. Then there’s the air purifier! Among the top plants found in the NASA safe air study, golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) provides the best protection against carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.
Golden pothos, then, has all the benefits. Let its yellow splotched foliage grace a hanging basket for a romantic touch (and to save you shelf space). You will feel happy and relaxed in your room having this plant – clean air aside.
Golden pothos are among the easiest plants to care for. The plant can be grown in almost any environment, from bright light to low light, weekly irrigation or monthly irrigation. You can almost never go wrong with this plant, which is another reason to sleep well.
Passion Flower
Exotic and dramatic, passion flower blossoms (Passiflora incarnata) have a highly noticeable appearance. While the vivid colors will ensure a brighter mood, the scent will calm and soothe you. In addition to relieving anxiety and treating insomnia, passion flowers are also used to promote long-term health. A research study showed that the flower reduced anxiety better than Oxazepam, a popular anti-anxiety drug. GABA boosts brain activity and thus combats insomnia.
Passionflower houseplants need sunlight to thrive. Consider installing a grow light as well as giving this plant the brightest window in the bedroom. Plants like these require moist soil, especially in the summer. Rich, quick-draining potting mix would be perfect for this beauty.
Lavender
Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy the soothing scent of lavender (Lavandula) in a warm bath or lotion? After a hectic day, it’s even more enjoyable. Have you ever heard of this special plant, with its fragrant purple flowers, that can also improve your sleep?
Herbs can only provide health benefits if they are taken orally. The soothing scent of the elegant lavender plant is what induces sleep. According to researchers, there is an improvement in sleep quality even with just the smell of lavender. It is possible that bedspreads filled with lavender plant leaves would have similar effects, even though some of the studies involved essential oils rather than live plants.
A similar Mediterranean plant, lavender loves the sun and requires less water than it appears. If you have a sunny window sill in the bedroom, put in a grow light. Lavender plants should only be watered when the soil is quite dry, and they shouldn’t be replanted too quickly. The lavender plant likes close quarters.