The average American spends 87 percent of their life indoors, according to a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency. What are we doing inside? According to the National Sleep Foundation, we’re asleep for almost one-third of our life. These two stats may not seem connected, but indoor air quality consistently ranks as one of the primary threats to human health, and it has a big impact on our sleep quality.
Luckily, there is a simple way to get cleaner air indoors and breathe easier at night; plants. Bedroom plants give off oxygen at night to purify your indoor air quality and even induce sleep. Improved air quality and improved sleep — it’s a win-win.
Why Should You Have Plants For Your Bedroom?
Benefits of Bedroom Plants
Growing plants in your bedroom can reduce contaminants, soothe an anxious mind and detoxify your bedroom, so you can achieve optimum air and sleep quality. Houseplants can maintain humidity levels by emitting water vapor during transpiration to prevent a variety of respiratory ailments, sore throats, colds and even breakouts.
Plants that give off oxygen at night can also produce negative ions. These ions attach themselves to any particles in the air such as mold spores, bacteria, dust and allergens, effectively removing them and purifying your air. Negative ions can even increase psychological health and productivity.
With sleeping problems affecting more than 50 percent of adults with generalized anxiety, the calming effects of greenery in your bedroom can reduce stress and promote a more peaceful sleep environment. Some plants have even been proven to induce sleep. The color green can have a therapeutic effect causing people to feel more at ease, and thus finding it easier to drift to sleep.
When your body attempts to detox, approximately 70 percent of the process occurs through breathing. Therefore it’s essential to have clean air in your home. You can immediately reap the health benefits of having clean air by placing a few plants in your bedroom.
What Bedroom Plants Are Right For You?
Plants That Give Off The Most Oxygen
Snake Plant
This low-maintenance plant converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, making it the perfect plant for your bedroom. It filters common household toxins from the air. It is not only one of NASA’s top 10 air-purifying plants, but one of the few plants that give off oxygen at night. This plant may be toxic when ingested, so be careful if you have pets.
Aloe Vera
This succulent breed removes airborne carcinogens and is another one of the few plants that give off oxygen at night. Most widely known for its topical burn-soothing capabilities, Aloe Vera is a resilient plant that purifies the air without requiring much care.
Plants That Induce Sleep
Lavender
This plant is the most renowned for its relaxing effects and ability to induce sleep. The scent of lavender has been shown to slow heart rates and lower blood pressure, which are essential components of the sleep equation.
Valerian
This plant’s pink flowers heighten the brain’s activity in the GABA system, which is responsible for relaxing the body and preparing for sleep.
Plants That Help Allergy Sufferers
English Ivy
As one of the most effective plants at absorbing harmful toxins, this bedroom plant is incredibly easy to care for. Researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that this ivy removed 78 percent of airborne mold in a room in just 12 hours. English Ivy is great plant to help allergy sufferers sleep at night.
Red-Edged Dracaena
This evergreen shrub is extremely low-maintenance and is one of the best plants for your bedroom. It removes volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which can be found in plastics, fabrics, pesticides, cigarette smoke and other household toxins. Despite all its restorative qualities, this plant can be toxic to animals if ingested.
Plants That Reduce Anxiety
Holy Basil
This plant’s leaves emit a scent that has been proven to soothe nerves and reduce anxiety. While consuming Holy Basil leaves has its own health benefits, merely having this plant near your bed can be therapeutic and help you unwind.
Jasmine
This pink and white flowering plant has a positive effect on overall sleep, as its fragrance has been shown to reduce anxious feelings. It has a gentle, tranquilizing effect on the body and mind, which makes it the ideal bedroom plant.
Plants That Clean The Air
Peace Lily
This plant is exceptional because not only does it remove harmful toxins, but it gives off moisture to increase the humidity of a room, cleaning the air and reducing allergens. In addition to its pretty appearance, this bedroom plant absorbs mold spores through its leaves and circulates them to its roots as nutrients.
Spider Plant
This plant removed around 90 percent of formaldehyde from the air in NASA’s clean air study. Although it isn’t the most visually appealing greenery, it is effective at absorbing odors and making your bedroom a healthier environment.
How Many Bedroom Plants Should I Have?
The right number of bedroom plants can vary based on the size of your bedroom and how much effort you are prepared to dedicate to the care of your mini bedroom garden. Plants for your bedroom are a cost-effective and elegant solution to the pervasive nature of indoor toxins, so the more the merrier!
The exact number of oxygen-producing plants for your bedroom depends on:
- How much time you spend in your home.
- The air quality in your city or community.
- The number of trees and foliage surrounding your home.
- The number of occupants in your home.
- What synthetic products and furnishings are in your home.
The NASA clean air study recommends 15-18 plants that give off oxygen for an 1,800 square foot house.
Better air quality means better sleep in your bed!
Sleep can be elusive if there is something wrong with your sleep environment. Poor ventilation and hazardous airborne toxins in your bedroom can shorten the lifespan of a mattress and be detrimental to your health. Green up your environment and upgrade your mattress for a healthier bedroom. Your body will thank you.
At Mattress Warehouse, the chief priority is to help you sleep better. Sleep scientists find the perfect mattress for every individual based on their physical characteristics, back or joint pain and preferred sleep position. See how Mattress Warehouse can perfect your personalized sleep environment through the bedMATCH process. Your air quality and mattress quality should never be anything less than the best!