Best Bedroom Plants for Better Sleep and Relaxation

Ever thought about how you can make your bedroom more calming? Get Bedroom plants. According to PubMed Central’s report, indoor plants can reduce psychological as well as physiological stress. They release calming scents as well as balance air moisture, producing relaxing effects. 

In this guide, you’ll find out the best bedroom plants for better sleep and relaxation. For your peaceful space, you’ll also learn how to choose the right plants, myths to avoid, and simple care tips to keep them healthy. Let’s start!

Which Plants Help You Sleep Better?

You can turn your bedroom into a calming resort with plants like lavender, jasmine, and snake plant. Also, Aloe vera purifies the air, and the peace lily boosts humidity for better rest. Together, these plants create a fresh, cozy, and sleep-friendly space where your body and mind can fully relax.

"A beautiful plant is like having a friend around the house.” — Beth Ditto, Singer & Designer

Part 1. Top 8 Bedroom Plants for Better Sleep

The following eight plants produce calming scents and nighttime oxygen, helping you sleep deeply. Each comes with tips on choosing, caring for, and keeping your bedroom peaceful.

1. Lavender Plant

Lavender is loved chiefly for its smell. Its calming scent lowers heart rate and stress. A study published on PubMed Central found that lavender scent promotes deeper sleep. 

How Do You Choose a Healthy Lavender Plant?

Choose a lavender plant with vibrant green leaves and firm stems. Look for buds that are just forming rather than already in full bloom, these last longer indoors. Avoid plants with drooping leaves or yellow patches, as they may be stressed or poorly cared for.

How Should You Care for Lavender in the Bedroom?

Water lightly, then leave it until the soil feels almost dusty. This plant can survive in cool nighttime air, making it a perfect natural fit for a bedroom. It's toxic for pets.

Once it’s settled in, you might want a general care refresher. Try browsing the core plant care best practices for indoor greens.

2. Jasmine Plant

Soft, sweet fragrance released by jasmine that calms the mind and makes your bedroom more relaxing. It also improves sleep quality in bedrooms.

How Do You Choose a Healthy Jasmine Plant?

Pick a jasmine plant with green leaves that look alive and not tired. Buds that are still tight usually last longer; the ones already wide open don’t stay fresh once you bring them in.

How Should You Care for a Jasmine Plant Indoors?

It likes light, but not harsh sun burning it all day. A couple of hours by a bright window is enough. Water the topsoil when it feels dry, but don’t leave it swimming in water. Some of its varieties are not safe for pets.

After you’ve chosen the right variety, the next step is applying the night jasmine indoor care guide to keep it flourishing in low-light corners.

3. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Snake plants can thrive even if you forget to water them. As a bonus, it gives out oxygen at night, which is perfect for bedrooms. Some say it also helps to reduce toxins from the air, like formaldehyde, etc.

How Do You Choose a Healthy Snake Plant?

Try to get a plant with firm, upright leaves. If the leaves are floppy or the bottom feels soft, don’t buy it, that usually means it has been overwatered.

How Should You Care for Snake Plant in the Bedroom?

The funny thing is, this plant prefers it if you forget to water it. Once every 2–3 weeks is usually fine. It is considered toxic for pets.

After placing it on your nightstand, you can delve into the specific health benefits of a snake plant in the bedroom to understand its full nighttime value.

Want to explore more about this plant’s many forms? Check out the detailed care and growth guide for Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue).

4. Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe Vera is one of those plants people keep for two reasons, it looks neat and its gel comes in handy for minor skin burns or dryness.

How Do You Choose a Healthy Aloe Vera Plant?

Choose a plant that looks firm and green with thick, plump leaves. Soft, wrinkled, and brown tips often signal overwatering or poor care.

How Should You Care for Aloe Vera in the Bedroom?

Don't keep it near the drafty window. Water the aloe vera only when the soil is dry. It is perfect in warmth and indirect sunlight. Aloe vera is unsafe for pets.

Once you bring it home, the next move is starting a detailed Aloe Vera bedroom care routine to maintain its fresh, sturdy leaves.

5. Peace Lily

Peace lily plant boosts humidity, filters toxins, and features elegant white blooms that enhance calm. A NASA study highlights its air-cleaning benefits.

How Do You Choose a Healthy Peace Lily?

Choose one that has glossy, tight flower buds and undamaged leaves.

How Should You Care for Peace Lily in the Bedroom?

In low to medium indirect light, it can survive. Water it weekly. Mist the leaves to increase humidity. The product keeps well at a temperature of 18–27 °C. It is toxic for pets.

After you’ve added it to your bedroom corner, the next essential step is to follow the Peace Lily care methods for bedrooms, which preserve blooms and boost air quality.

6. Spider Plant

A study by NASA shows that spider plants can lower formaldehyde/VOCs in sealed tests, but they are not a full home replacement for ventilation. 

How Do You Choose a Healthy Spider Plant?

Choose plants with firm, variegated leaves and small, healthy offshoots.

How Should You Care for Spider Plant in the Bedroom?

Spider plants don’t need much fuss. Just place it near a light (but not in direct sunlight). Water it when the top feels dry. It is safe for pets like dogs and cats.

Once it's thriving on your bedside shelf, support its long-term health with the bedroom spider plant care guide.

If you're also looking for safe picks for furry friends, see our list of top 10 pet-friendly houseplants for your home.

7. Golden Pothos

People like Golden pothos as a fast-growing plant. It also cleans the air. The room air feels fresher. It looks beautiful trailing from shelves or pots. 

How Do You Choose a Healthy Golden Pothos?

A healthy plant often has firm stems. Choose a plant that has shiny and green leaves, not crispy at the edges or yellow. There should be no soft spots at the base.

How Should You Care for Golden Pothos in the Bedroom?

It’s fine with low light but does even better in bright shade. Water only when the top bit of soil dries, don’t drown it. It is toxic for pets.

After choosing to bring it into your space, your next best step is comparing the different types of pothos plants for indoor use to select the best match.

If diving deeper into stylish indoor plants interests you, check out the Philodendron Green Princess care and design guide.

8. Areca Palm

This palm gives a soft, fresh vibe in the bedroom. The leaves of the Areca Palm spread out nicely and make the space feel calmer.

How Do You Choose a Healthy Areca Palm?

Go for one with green leaves that look lively. If the tips are turning yellow or the stems look weak, it's better to leave that one.

How Should You Care for Areca Palm in the Bedroom?

Keep it in light but not in the hot sun. Water the soil when it feels dry. Mist the leaves if the air feels dry. It's safe for pets.

Once settled in your bedroom corner, follow the indoor Areca Palm care practices to keep it lush and vibrant.

To explore other air-enhancing greens, see our easy indoor air-purifying plants list.

Here’s a helpful community guide highlighting some of the best plants for your bedroom, curated by Reddit users with practical tips for creating a calming and restful space:

best plants for the bedroom
byu/coffeebasedgod incoolguides

Part 2. How Bedroom Plants Can Improve Sleep

Bedroom plants serve as an aesthetic. They also have other purposes beyond decoration. Bedroom plants facilitate breathing, promote relaxation, and create the ideal atmosphere for sleep. Here are some of the benefits that bedroom plants offer.

Better Humidity and Air Quality

The Peace Lily and the Areca Palm boost humidity and filter toxins like formaldehyde. This protects your skin from getting dry and your airways while you sleep.

Natural Calm

Calm aromas released by lavender and jasmine reduce stress and heart rate. Their scent enhances the depth and quality of sleep, according to research.

Cleaner Air, Easier Breathing

Some plants, like snake plant and peace lily, can help reduce common indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene. While they don’t replace proper ventilation, they can make the bedroom feel fresher and help you breathe more easily at night.

After reading this, a great next step is choosing from our top 10 houseplants for cleaner air to boost your room’s freshness.

Part 3: How to Choose the Right Plant for Your Bedroom?

When choosing a plant for your bedroom, focus on how well the plant matches your space and lifestyle, not just how pretty it looks. A healthy match means less stress for you and a better chance for the plant to thrive. Here are some key points to guide you:

Look for Healthy Growth

Check the leaves and stems carefully. Bright, green leaves and firm stems usually mean the plant is strong. Avoid plants with yellow patches, drooping leaves, or soft spots near the base, they may already be stressed.

Match the Light Needs to Your Room

Some plants love bright, indirect light (like lavender or aloe vera), while others do fine in low-light spots (like snake plants and pothos). Before you buy, think about where you’ll place the plant and whether it will actually get the light it needs.

Routine and Safety

Pick plants that are suitable for your lifestyle. If you forget to water, select drought-tolerant varieties. Skip strong-scented plants if fragrances disturb your sleep.

Pets in the room? Opt for pet-safe plants like spider plant or areca palm. Want ideas? Start with our best indoor plants for homes with pets.

Part 4. Common Myths About Plants and Sleep

Let’s clear up misconceptions that get passed off as facts. Plant care advice often drifts into myth territory. Here, you’ll get plain truth, no fluff, just what really matters for a restful, healthy bedroom.

Myth 1: More Plants Will Purify Your Air and Help You Sleep Better

You’ve likely heard that a handful of bedroom plants can "clean" your air. That idea started with a NASA study in sealed chambers, not real homes. A study by the American Lung Association shows that houseplants don’t measurably improve air quality in everyday rooms.

Myth 2: Misting Your Plants Boosts Humidity for Better Rest

It’s tempting to mist ferns or leafy plants at night and think it helps humidity. In reality, misting only moistens leaves for a moment. The air dries in seconds. If you want continuous air moisture, grouping plants or a real humidifier works far better.

For solid plant maintenance advice, explore our practical houseplant care tips and tricks.

Myth 3: Yellowing Leaves Drain Energy, and They Should Be Trimmed Immediately

Yellow leaves often mean care issues, check before cutting. But leaves turn yellow naturally as the plant recycles nutrients for new growth. Pulling them too soon takes away energy. Let them yellow entirely, then gently remove them.

Myth 4: Don’t Sleep Near Plants at Night, They’ll make you breathe CO₂

Yes, plants respire after dark and release a little CO₂. But the amount in a standard room is tiny and not harmful; horticulture and science sources call this an urban myth. Fresh air and basic ventilation matter far more than a few pots on a shelf.

If you're curious about plants helping wellbeing, consider reading about plants as natural therapy for stress relief.

Part 5. Tips for a Better Growth of a Sleep-Friendly Bedroom

If the space feels stuffy, too hot, or too dry to you, likely, your plants aren't happy either. Simple changes that improve the overall comfort of the space are more important than using fancy tricks.

Make sure your room has the right basics

Most bedroom plants grow well in normal indoor conditions. They don’t need a perfect setup, but they also don’t do well with extremes. A slightly cooler night temperature, around 16–20 °C, is considered healthy for both plants and people.

Keep the air from going stale

Ten minutes of window opening can have a significant impact. A small fan running at low speed will do if you are unable to do that. It should move the air slowly, not shake the leaves.

Water when the soil feels dry, not by the calendar

Use your finger to feel the soil. Water the soil if it is dry, let excess drain, then empty the saucer. Once a month, flush the pot to rinse built-up salts.

If you're unsure about your water source, consider our comparison of tap vs. distilled water for indoor plants.

Conclusion

Bedroom plants are more than decor because they promote better sleep and purify the air. From hard snake plants to calming lavender, jasmine, and peace lilies, the right and suitable greenery can transform your room into a natural retreat. 

Thriving your plants by dispelling myths and taking the correct, simple steps is easy. Choose small to start with. Choose the plants that suit your space & your daily schedule. Let your calm and fresh energy flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

For restful sleep, which indoor plant is best?

Air purifying plants like aloe vera and snake plants purify the air quality. Meanwhile, Fragrant plants like lavender and jasmine release a calming aroma. This soothing scent eases the mind and promotes restful sleep. 

If you have pets, is it safe to have plants in the bedroom?

Not at all, bedroom plants are not pet-safe. For instance, snake plants, aloe vera, etc., are toxic if ingested. For a pet-friendly option, go for plants like spider plants or areca palms if you have pets in your room.

Can plants help reduce stress in the bedroom?

Yes, the presence of fragrant plants like jasmine & lavender can reduce stress &  promote relaxation. Greenery creates soothing vibes, helping you to sleep more peacefully.

Do bedroom plants really clean the air?

Yes, but only a little. Studies show plants can absorb some toxins, but the effect is small indoors. Fresh air and ventilation matter much more.

Do bedroom plants attract bugs?

Yes, bedroom plants attract pests if the soil stays constantly wet. Let the top inch dry, empty saucers, and use a well-draining mix to prevent fungus gnats; sticky traps help if they appear.