10 Sweet Dream Plants: That You  Didn’t Know Your Bedroom Is Missing

Most of us recognize the benefits of houseplants... Oxygenating your air and turning the most drab of spaces into a bohemian dream. Well, as it turns out, the right plants in your bedroom are more than just an Instagram-worthy aesthetic-- they are full-fledged sleep enhancers working around the clock to create the perfect sleep environment.

The science is pretty cool; most plants breathe out oxygen during the day and carbon dioxide at night; however, some plants don't follow this convention and release oxygen at night. Some plants actively purify the air and eliminate toxic airborne substances that can prevent deep sleep. Some plants also emit minute quantities of very specific aromatic vapors that calm your nervous system. In addition, a psychosomatic effect occurs, where transforming your space with plants creates a euphoria that directly influences your dreams, heart rate, and autonomic nervous system.

Here are the 10 plants that have changed my sleep quality-- and the sleep quality of friends who've tried them out.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)

The Science: This architectural beauty practically acts as your own personal oxygen bar next to your bed. Unlike most plants, snake plants continue the process of photosynthesis at night, allowing them to release oxygen in the dark when you need it most. NASA's Clean Air Study found it removes formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene (common household toxins) from the air you breathe, which can impair sleep quality. Care Instructions:

Water only if the soil is completely dry

Light: Low light to bright indirect light; it will acclimate to any environment you put it in

Temperature: Likes it between 70-90°F

Soil: Well-draining succulent soil

Growing Tips: The biggest problem people have with this plant is that they obsess over watering it. These plants like to be neglected more than anything. Especially in the winter, water them only around once a month. Yellow leaves mean too much water, and wrinkled leaves mean they want water. The plant will thrive in just about any setting from a dull and dark space to a windowsill that receives a lot of light. You can’t mess it up.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

The Science: The quintessential aromatherapy plant. The compounds linalool and linolenic acid, in lavender, have been clinically proven to alleviate anxiety, decrease heartrate, and increased phases of deep sleep. Research has also shown that just from the aroma of lavender, a person's cortisol levels can decrease approximately 23%.

Care Instructions:

Water when the top inch of soil is dry

Light: Bright light, and 4-6 hours daily

Inert, well-draining, and slightly alkaline soil

Prune and trim to promote bushy growth

Growing Tips: If you don't have a sunlit bedroom or window, consider a grow light. Lavender needs light to produce its oil. I recommend pinching the flowers back as a ritualistic tool to keep the lavender short and bushy, and hence always blooming. Lavender is suited for dry climates. If it's humid from summer or from central air conditioning in summer, then try to ensure that air is circulating to avoid any fungus problems.

Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis Miller)

The Science: Another oxygenator that, like a snake plant, gives off oxygen during the night, but also is a nice bonus first-aid kit plant. By breathing, the plant can help rid the air in its environment of benzene and formaldehyde because its gel contains chemicals that can trap them.

Care Guidelines:

Water less often but deeply (once every 3 weeks in the summer or once a month in the winter).

Bright, indirect light is the best light.

Use a cactus/succulent potting mix.

Be sure the pot has drainage holes.

A few growing tips: Pay attention to color; healthy aloe means it is plump and green. If the tips start turning brown, it means either overwatering or using water that has too much fluoride in it (try distilled water instead!). If you see red or orange coloring, then you have too much direct light. The eating "pups" offshoots. You can separate these and propagate them.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

The science: Peace lilies are among NASA's top air-purifying plants. Peace lilies will remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. However, what makes them sleep superstars is their ability to raise humidity in your bedroom up to 5% similar to a humidifier, which helps in fighting the dry air that makes you snore and irritates your respiratory system while you sleep.

Care Guidelines:

Keep soil evenly moist, but don't let it sit in water.

Grows well in low or medium indirect light.

Likes the temperature to be 65-80°F.

Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer monthly while the plant is growing (of course!).

A few growing tips: Peace lilies are great communicators - if their leaves droop, it means they need water; if their leaves have brown tips, you may have overwatered or have bad water quality. Wipe down the leaves monthly with a damp cloth so they can clean being dusty and maximize their air-purifying potential. They also bloom more frequently given enough light (indirect, of course!).

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

The science: These deceptively resilient plants are formaldehyde-fighting champs that can remove up to 95% of toxic formaldehyde in just 24 hours. They are also effective against toluene and xylene, and they transpire quickly enough to moderate bedroom humidity levels, which can help you breathe a bit more comfortably while you sleep.

Care Instructions:

-Water when the top inch of soil feels dry

-Tolerates various light levels, but bright indirect is preferable

-Average room temperature is fine

-Standard potting soil will be suitable.

Growing Tips: These super simple plants are nearly impossible to kill, which makes them perfect for the new plant parent! The "babies" or plantlets that hang from the mother plant can be propagated while still attached, just by placing a small pot of soil under the plantlet. Leaf tips that turn yellow or brown typically indicate sensitivity to fluoride - try rainwater or distilled water when possible.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The Science: Pothos is great at removing indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene. Pothos have large surface area leaves, leading to more pollutants being removed in less time. Because they are a low-maintenance, or even a very low maintenance plant, they can provide cleaner air even if you are not the best plant parent!

Care Instructions:

-Water when the soil is dry to the touch

-Can tolerate low light, although prefers bright indirect light

-Average room temperature and humidity is ideal

-Standard potting soil will also be suitable here

Growing Tips: These trailing beauties can look incredible sitting on top of bedroom shelves or hanging above your head in a plant hanger. If you pinch the tops of the growing tips occasionally, you will help the plant become a little more bushy. Yellow typically = overwatering, brown or crispy leaf edges typically = either underwater or humidity is too low. Pothos propagate in water too easily, which is another bonus if you want to share with friends!

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)

The Science: Rubber plants have some of, if not the largest, leaves in the world of house plants, meaning they provide one of the best air-purifiers. They are especially effective at

removing formaldehyde, and they have shown significant improvement of indoor air quality within weeks in bedrooms or similarly sized spaces.

Care Instructions:

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry

Bright indirect light is best

Dust off weekly with a leaf cloth

Use well-draining potting soils

More Growing Tips: Rubber plants can get really big, and the 'Burgundy' or ''Tineke' varieties are smaller, just some things to keep in mind when deciding what to grow in bedrooms. If you lose leaves, that usually is a sign of over-watering, temperature issues, or poor lighting. Also, turn your plant every so often to promote even growth.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The Science: These luscious, frilly plants are humidity machines and formaldehyde busters. Boston ferns can raise room humidity by approximately 10%, and since we breathe easiest between 40 and 50% relative humidity, these ferns will likely support reducing allergens that can inhibit a restful sleep.

Care Directions:

Keep soil moist, not soggy

Bright, indirect light is best

High humidity preferred.

Use well-draining potting soils, preferably peat-based

More Growing Tips: Mist regularly, or place on a humidity tray with pebbles and water. As soon as you see brown, crispy fronds, that indicates low humidity or watering issues. Remove dead fronds at the base to encourage new growth. If you are living in a dry home, grouping ferns can create a dry micro-climate.

 Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

The Science: Research has confirmed that jasmine's sweet scent can decrease anxiety levels and enhance sleep quality, and potentially as much as some sedatives without side effects. Jasmine aromas have been shown to (1) reduce restless movements during sleep, (2) increase the efficiency of sleep.

Growing Directions:

Water when the top 1" of the soil feels dry

Bright light with some direct morning sun.

Preferred cooler temperatures (60-75°F)

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil.

Tips for Growing: A cool period of (40-50°F for several weeks) is needed for indoor jasmine to produce blooms well, so you may want to move it to a cooler room in winter. Use a small trellis to give support to the vining stems. Pinch off the spent blooms to encourage continued flowering. Don't worry if your plant enters dormancy in winter—it is resting.

Gerbera Daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

The Science: Like snake plants and aloe, gerbera daisies produce oxygen at night while they absorb carbon dioxide. They are true champions at removing benzene and trichloroethylene. All this is in addition to happiness his plant will bring you each morning with its cheerful blooms during the day, and oxygen while you sleep at night.

Growing Directions:

Water when the soil is evenly moist, but not over-watered

Bright, indirect light with some morning sun

Good air circulation is essential

Well-drained potting soil

Tips for Growing: Remove spent blooms quickly to promote continuous blooms and prevent fungal issues. Watering the soil instead of the leaves helps avoid crown rot. Gerberas can be a little more challenging than other plants on this list, but if you look after them well, they will reward you with months and months of colourful blooms brightening up your bedroom.

Creating Your Sleep Sanctuary

Success with bedroom plants is not only about choosing the species correctly, but also about the correct environment. Start with 2-3 plants and observe how the space feels. Monitor humidity levels, air circulation, and how the plants react to the environment you've created in the bedroom.

In my experience, the combination of snake plant for solid oxygen production, peace lily for humidity and air purification, and small pothos to provide cute, minimal care greenery, is the best for better sleep. You could add more plants, but you may have far too much that makes you happy, which is a beautiful, beneficial bonus.

Ultimately, the best bedroom plant is one that you can provide the right conditions that you create, and that it thrives with little stress from you. There is no sleep-promoting benefit if you worry about intricate, finicky plants. Select your bedroom plants based on light levels, recommended care, and if you have an aesthetic for bedroom decor plants.

Sweet Dreams & Happy Growing!