Ever tossed and turned in bed, unable to drift into a peaceful slumber? The solution might be as simple as adding some greenery to your bedroom. It’s not just about aesthetics, certain plants are known to improve sleep quality by purifying the air and releasing sleep-enhancing aromas.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best plants to keep in your bedroom for a restful night’s sleep. From the soothing scent of lavender to the oxygen-boosting snake plant, we’ll delve into the natural ways these leafy companions can help you catch those elusive Z’s. So, get ready to turn your bedroom into a sleep-friendly Eden with the power of plants.
Understanding the Link Between Plants and Sleep Quality
The connection between plants and improved sleep quality hinges around two key axes – the sleep-enhancing traits of certain plants and the overall impact of air quality on restful sleep.
How Plants Can Enhance Sleep
Plants are a great way to add life, personality, and visual interest to any home. As home-hearted.com suggests, the right plants in the right places can liven up your home in a beautiful and impactful way. But, certain plants also have qualities that directly contribute to a better sleep environment. For example, Lavender (Lavandula) is renowned for its soothing aroma known to reduce anxiety and induce sleep. Similarly, Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), while not offering a distinctive aroma, elevates the room’s oxygen levels at night, fostering a healthier sleep environment. By selecting plants with these sleep-promoting characteristics, the bedroom can transform into a sanctuary for restful sleep.
Air Quality and Its Impact on Sleep
A paramount factor that affects sleep quality is air quality. Humans consume an average of 11,000 liters of air per day, thus the purity of this air significantly influences health and sleep quality. According to a study by NASA, indoor plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours. Plants like the English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) have proven prowess in air purification. By introducing such plants in the bedroom, they contribute to cleaner air, which in turn promotes a more tranquil and restful sleep.
The Best Plants for Better Sleep in Your Bedroom
Revamping a bedroom for better sleep can prove to be quite beneficial. Let’s dive deeper into why Lavender, Snake Plant, Aloe Vera, and English Ivy are stellar choices for improving sleep quality.
Lavender: Calming and Relaxing
Renowned for its calming properties, Lavender is an excellent choice for a sleep-enhancing bedroom plant. Its charming aroma doesn’t just add a fresh scent to your room but also has sleep-inducing effects. One study, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, found out that Lavender’s scent lowers heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a state of relaxation, perfect for bedtime.
Snake Plant: Oxygen Booster
Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria, goes beyond being an aesthetic addition to your room. It’s got a potent ability to purify the air. NASA’s research establishes that Snake Plant can convert CO2 into oxygen even during the night, keeping the air fresh for a better sleep environment. It’s a low-maintenance plant that flourishes even with minimal lighting, making it a perfect fit for a bedroom.
Aloe Vera: Easing Insomnia
Aloe Vera, known for its medicinal properties, has made its mark as a sleep-enhancer too. It emits oxygen during nighttime, ensuring a steady supply of fresh oxygen throughout the night. Furthermore, a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology shows that consumption of Aloe Vera increases REM sleep, which is the restorative sleep our body requires, aiding individuals struggling with insomnia.
English Ivy: Reducing Airborne Mold
English Ivy, not only beautifies your room but also cleanses the air you breathe. It grasps airborne mold particles and formaldehyde, reducing their prevalence in the room. A study conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has found that English Ivy removes up to 78% of airborne mold in only 12 hours! This potent air-purifying plant can thus significantly improve the air quality, letting you breathe easily, and contribute to a good night’s sleep.
Caring for Your Bedroom Plants
Sustaining the perks of bedroom plants depends largely on appropriate placement and routine maintenance. Accurate guidance is given in this segment to aid in the nurturing of these plants, ensuring a steady promotion of good sleep.
Optimal Plant Placement for Sleep Benefits
Correct placement of plants maximizes the benefits they offer for sleep. A winning strategy involves placing the plant in a location that matches its individual light and humidity needs.
For example, the Snake Plant thrives in indirect sunlight and can survive in less-than-ideal light conditions, making it perfect for placement on a bedside table. On the contrary, Lavender requires a sunny location to grow, signifying a windowsill location as perfect. Aloe Vera and English Ivy, appreciating a mixture of sun and shade, align best with a room location graced with filtered sunlight. Generally, plants should be placed within conversion-friendly areas, where their air-purifying and humidity-enhancing effects can be maximized.
Maintenance Tips for Healthy Plants
Healthy plants enhance sleep quality consistently. The primary objective lies in catering to the plants’ needs regarding light, water, and temperature.
Snake Plants, tolerating neglect, flourish with minimal watering, approximately once every two weeks. Lavender, Aloe Vera, and English Ivy prefer well-drained soil and light watering. In terms of temperature, maintaining a range between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit serves most indoor plants.
Additionally, regular dusting of plant leaves supports photosynthesis while preventing potential infections. Monthly fertilization during the growth season promotes vitality. Remarkably, over-care results in more plant deaths than neglect. Therefore, a balanced approach in practice reaps the best plant health, ensuring a sustained contribution to enhanced sleep.
Additional Benefits of Bedroom Plants
Beyond sleep enhancement, bedroom plants offer a variety of additional benefits. From mood improvement to aesthetic enhancement, these green companions serve several roles that contribute to a harmonious living space.
Mood Enhancement and Stress Reduction
Bedroom plants have a positive impact on occupants’ mental well-being. They are known for naturally improving mood and reducing stress levels, according to extensive research conducted by reputable health institutions. For example, a study by the National Institutes of Health found that interacting with indoor plants can lower psychological and physiological stress by inducing calm and relaxing feelings.
Having plants like English Ivy or Chinese Evergreen, recognized for their lush greenery and longevity, can foster a sense of satisfaction and relaxation. Their presence contributes to a serene environment, augmenting the restful atmosphere already enhanced by other sleep-promoting plants like Lavender and Snake Plant.
Decorative Aspects and Aesthetic Value
Along with their health benefits, bedroom plants also boost the aesthetic appeal of the space. They offer diverse textures, colors, and growth patterns that elevate the visual interest of any setup, thereby making the room more inviting and pleasing to the eye.
Certain plants have their own unique decorative attributes. For instance, plants like Boston Fern and Spider Plant possess attractive arching fronds and unusual leaf structures, respectively, adding unique visual elements to the room. Plants can act as affordable, low maintenance accessories that complement and enhance various interior design styles, from minimalistic to tropical, which further illustrates their advantages beyond their sleep-boosting properties.
Plants like Lavender and Snake Plant aren’t just pleasing to the eye, they’re also sleep enhancers. With their diverse textures, colors, and growth patterns, they’ll complement any interior design style. So go ahead, green up your bedroom. You’ll sleep better, feel better, and your room will look better too.
