Best Plants for Bedroom: 10 Species That Help You Sleep Better
Best Plants for Bedroom: 10 Species That Help You Sleep Better
Your bedroom should be a sanctuary — a calm, clean-air retreat where you recharge. The right houseplants can help you get there. From air purification to humidity regulation to stress reduction, bedroom plants do more than just look good on your nightstand. Here are the 10 best plants for your bedroom and the science behind why they work.
Why Put Plants in Your Bedroom?
Research supports what plant lovers have felt intuitively: having plants in your sleeping space improves well-being.
- Reduced stress & anxiety. A 2019 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that indoor plants significantly reduce psychological and physiological stress markers, including cortisol levels.
- Improved air quality. Plants filter VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from furniture, paint, and cleaning products — pollutants that are especially concentrated in bedrooms with closed doors and windows.
- Increased humidity. Plants release moisture through transpiration, counteracting the dry air from heating and AC systems. Higher humidity reduces snoring, dry skin, and respiratory irritation.
- Better sleep quality. A study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology linked the presence of indoor plants to lower blood pressure and improved relaxation — both precursors to better sleep.
The 10 Best Bedroom Plants
1. Peace Lily
The Peace Lily is the ultimate bedroom plant. It filters a wider range of air pollutants than almost any other species (formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, xylene), thrives in the low light typical of bedrooms, and increases humidity through vigorous transpiration. The elegant white blooms add a calming, spa-like aesthetic.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Top-tier air purification + low-light tolerance + humidity boost + calming aesthetics
Care: Water when leaves droop slightly or top inch of soil is dry. Low to medium indirect light.
2. Spider Plant
Spider Plants are among the best air purifiers tested by NASA, removing formaldehyde and xylene — chemicals commonly off-gassed from bedroom furniture, carpet, and paint. They're also completely non-toxic to pets, which matters in bedrooms where cats often sleep.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Excellent air purifier + pet-safe + produces oxygen + adapts to any light
Care: Water when top half of soil is dry. Low to bright indirect light.
👉 Shop Variegated Spider Plant
3. Pothos
Pothos is a formaldehyde-filtering powerhouse that thrives in the indirect light typical of bedrooms. Its trailing vines look beautiful draped from a nightstand or high shelf, creating a natural, relaxing atmosphere. It's also one of the most forgiving plants if you forget to water.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Filters formaldehyde + thrives in low light + trailing aesthetic + nearly indestructible
Care: Water when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. Any light condition works.
4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese Evergreens filter formaldehyde and benzene while needing almost no care. Their compact, bushy growth habit makes them perfect for dressers and nightstands. The Red Valentine variety adds a pop of color without the visual stimulation of bright flowers.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Air purifying + ultra low-maintenance + compact + beautiful foliage colors
Care: Water every 1–2 weeks. Low to medium indirect light.
👉 Shop Red Valentine · Shop Aglaonema Queen
5. Calathea
Calatheas have a unique circadian rhythm — their leaves fold upward at night and unfold in the morning. This "prayer plant" behavior is oddly soothing to watch at bedtime. They also thrive in low light and love the higher humidity found in bedrooms (especially near a bathroom).
Why it's great for bedrooms: Folding leaves create a calming nighttime ritual + low light + non-toxic to pets
Care: Keep soil lightly moist. Low to medium indirect light. Appreciates humidity.
6. Angel Wing Begonia
If you want a bedroom plant with visual drama, Angel Wing Begonias deliver. The polka-dotted wing-shaped leaves and cascading flower clusters create a natural focal point. They absorb VOCs through their abundant foliage and contribute to humidity through transpiration.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Stunning foliage + air filtration + flowers + conversation starter
Care: Water when top inch of soil is dry. Bright indirect light (near a window).
👉 Shop All Angel Wing Begonias
7. Philodendron
Philodendrons are effective at filtering formaldehyde and thrive in the low to medium light found in most bedrooms. The trailing growth of Philodendron Brasil and Cordatum looks peaceful cascading from a shelf above the bed.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Formaldehyde filter + trailing aesthetic + low light + low maintenance
Care: Water when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. Low to medium indirect light.
👉 Shop Philodendron Brasil · Shop Cordatum
8. Dracaena
Dracaena Janet Craig is one of the top performers in NASA's air quality studies, filtering trichloroethylene and formaldehyde. Its upright, architectural form adds a grounding visual element to bedroom corners without taking up floor space.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Top-tier air filtration + architectural form + low light + minimal watering
Care: Allow top half of soil to dry. Low to medium indirect light. Use filtered water.
9. Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are natural humidifiers. Their high transpiration rate adds meaningful moisture to bedroom air, which reduces snoring, soothes dry sinuses, and prevents the dry-skin feeling from overnight heating or AC. They're also the top formaldehyde remover in NASA's study.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Natural humidifier + #1 formaldehyde remover + pet-safe + lush aesthetic
Care: Keep soil consistently moist. Medium indirect light. Mist regularly.
10. Parlor Palm
Parlor Palms bring a gentle tropical atmosphere to bedrooms without demanding tropical levels of light or humidity. They're compact, pet-safe, and add a soft, natural texture that promotes relaxation. Victorian-era homes kept these in bedrooms for exactly this reason.
Why it's great for bedrooms: Pet-safe + low light + compact + calming tropical aesthetic
Care: Water when top inch of soil is dry. Low to medium indirect light.
Where to Place Plants in Your Bedroom
On the Nightstand
Small, compact plants like Chinese Evergreen, Calathea, and Fittonia work perfectly on nightstands. Keep them within arm's reach for the full stress-reducing benefits.
On a Dresser or Shelf
Medium-sized plants like Peace Lily, Angel Wing Begonia, and Philodendron display beautifully on dressers. Trailing plants like Pothos look stunning cascading from high shelves.
In a Corner (Floor Placement)
Taller plants like Dracaena and Parlor Palm fill empty corners with greenery without taking up surface area on your furniture.
Hanging From the Ceiling
Hanging plants like Spider Plant, Pothos, and String of Pearls keep surfaces clear while bringing life to the upper visual plane of the room.
Bedroom Plant Care Tips
Don't Overwater
Bedrooms typically have less air circulation and light than living areas, which means soil dries more slowly. Adjust your watering frequency down — check before you pour.
Keep Leaves Clean
Dusty leaves are less effective at air purification and photosynthesis. Wipe leaves monthly with a damp cloth.
Use Cachepots (No Drainage Drama)
To protect furniture, place nursery pots inside decorative cachepots. Water in the sink, let excess drain, then return to the cachepot.
Don't Block Walkways
A tripped-over plant pot at 3 AM is nobody's idea of better sleep. Keep floor plants in corners, never in walkways between bed and bathroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to sleep with plants in your bedroom?
Absolutely. The common myth that plants "steal oxygen at night" is misleading. While plants do consume small amounts of oxygen through respiration at night, the amount is negligible — far less than a sleeping pet or partner. The air-purifying and humidity benefits far outweigh any minimal oxygen consumption.
How many plants should I have in my bedroom?
Start with 2–3 plants. NASA's guideline of 1 plant per 100 square feet means a typical 150 sq ft bedroom benefits from 2 medium-sized plants. More plants = more benefits, but even a single plant provides measurable stress reduction.
What bedroom plants are safe for cats?
Spider Plant, Calathea, Boston Fern, Parlor Palm, Fittonia, and Pilea are all non-toxic to cats. Avoid Peace Lily, Pothos, and Philodendron in bedrooms where cats sleep unsupervised.
Do bedroom plants attract bugs?
Properly cared-for plants don't attract pests. Overwatering and poor drainage create conditions for fungus gnats. To prevent bugs: don't overwater, ensure pots have drainage, and use well-draining soil. A thin layer of sand on top of the soil deters fungus gnats.
Which plant produces the most oxygen?
All green plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis. Plants with more leaf surface area (Peace Lily, Philodendron, Spider Plant) produce more oxygen than compact succulents. However, the oxygen output of household plants is too small to meaningfully change room oxygen levels — the real benefits are air purification, humidity, and stress reduction.
Transform your bedroom into a restful retreat. Browse our Bedroom Plants collection — hand-selected for calm, clean air, and better sleep.