When most people think about decorating their bedroom, they’re largely focused on the basics: furniture, bedding, some basic decor, and maybe a new set of blackout curtains.
An often neglected addition is plant life. Whether you’re looking for a pop of colour on your shelves or hoping to keep your allergies at bay, there are plenty of options from which to choose.
Relax and Restore
A major benefit of incorporating plant life into your bedroom decor is the ability of some species to help you unwind from the stresses of daily life.
Jasmine
in particular, can be helpful. According to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the fragrance it releases has a direct impact on the behaviour of the nervous system, leading to an increase in calmness on par with Valium.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another plant for your bedroom that can help with relaxation. Chamomile is one of the world’s oldest medicinal herbs and is often taken in capsule form to help treat generalized anxiety disorder. Not only is its scent calming, but the leaves can be dried for tea or added to a warm bath to help with inflammation, making it a beautiful, multi-purpose selection.
Aching for a good night’s rest? Fear not, there are a number of plants you can place in your room to aid you in your quest.
Valerian
Valerian is one of the most common plants to aid in people’s sleep.
Its root is frequently distilled into pill form to help with rest and anxiety, but that’s not the only way it can facilitate catching some z’s. A 2006 study found that simply inhaling its scent before you lay down can make you fall asleep faster and – most importantly – sleep through the night.
Vivid Hues
Plants can clearly be a functional addition to your bedroom, but they can also liven up your space. Though this can be achieved by buying a bouquet at your local florist’s, a more sustainable (and ultimately less expensive) option is to invest in live plants.
Orchid
One of the more popular plants for your bedroom in this category is the Orchid. Rising in popularity during the 1800s, this tropical plant boasts bright, dainty blooms that scream elegance. Buyer beware, though – these plants are notoriously temperamental and require diligent attention and care.
Passion Flower
Another excellent option is the Passion Flower. The centre of this flower features intertwining stamen or pistils with boldly tinted petals framing them. The petals even have a bit of a fringe to them. Bonus? They’re known to aid with sound sleep, as well.
Easy Breathing
You might be surprised by how many chemicals accumulate in the air in your home. From outdoor pollution entering ventilation systems or flowing in through open windows to the toxins we generate with cleaning products, cooking, and more, our respiratory systems are working harder than we may realize to get oxygen to our cells.
Snake Plant
The reliable Snake Plant can be an excellent solution. At first glance, it may seem like just another succulent, but its abilities are legendary. Not only does it absorb a wide array of airborne chemicals but it is one of the few household plants that actually converts carbon dioxide into oxygen, ultimately improving overall airflow.
English Ivy
Do you suffer from allergies? You might want to look into getting some English Ivy. This simple vine plant works great in a hanging pot, but it comes with other perks, too. One study found that placing the plant in a room for a mere six hours reduced the number of mould spores in the air by over 70 percent and allergens associated with pet waste by a whopping 94 percent.
Control the Climate
The changing of the seasons can bring a change in weather patterns. These shifts can have a huge impact on humidity levels, which can, in turn, have a serious effect on your skin, hair, and more.
Aloe Vera
If you find yourself hoping to dry out the air around you during humid summer months, it might be worth considering a plant such as Aloe Vera. Though you may associate its name with sunburn and green gels, this low-maintenance succulent draws sustenance from water particles in the air, helping to regulate the climate in your home. Other dry-weather plants, like cacti, are another good pick.
Peace Lily
If, on the other hand, cool winter months have dried out the air in your place, plants like the Peace Lily. With delicate blooms and a sweet fragrance, they would be an excellent addition to your decor, regardless, but it also adds natural moisture to the air. The plant does, however, require ample watering and can be toxic to your pets.
Easy Maintenance
Ah, the most important consideration of all: how hard will it be to keep my chosen bedroom plant alive? Unless you have a green thumb and a corresponding passion for plant care, it’s important to select greenery that’s designed to survive. We might spend a third of our lives sleeping, plants placed in a bedroom are often not as visible as plants we place in other living spaces, which can make it difficult to remember what they require and when.
Spider Plant
Fortunately, there are many plants out there that fit the bill. Many of the previously mentioned plants are sturdy, too, but options like the Spider Plant stand out. It captures the air purifying qualities of choices like Aloe Vera and the Snake Plant, can assist you in sleeping more soundly and adds a bit of color to your bedroom.
Most importantly, though, it is notoriously difficult to kill. The one catch is that you can’t over-water it. The Achilles heel of the Spider Plant is root rot, so be sure that there’s adequate drainage in its pot.
Rubber Plant
Another solid selection is the Rubber Plant. Before you start scowling at the idea of an artificial, rubber piece of greenery, know that this option is very much a living, breathing piece of Greenery. Like the Spider Plant, it doesn’t require direct sunlight and only needs damp soil to provide long-lasting benefits to a room’s aesthetics and air quality.
It’s also a wonderful pick for bedrooms with high ceilings. You might not want it to grow to the heights it can achieve in the wild (unless you have a bedroom with 80-foot ceilings), but it can help fill out larger spaces in a beautiful manner.
Heartland Philodendron
The Heartleaf Philodendron, also known as the Sweetheart Plant, is a versatile choice, too. It’s popular in many homes because of how easy it is to grow, with bronze-coloured leaves turning green over time.
On top of its sturdy nature, though, it can be used decoratively in multiple ways. Looking for a potted plant to place on top of your dresser? Pinching the plant at the node can keep it bushy.
If you’re on the hunt for a wilder-looking plant, the Heartleaf Philodendron can be your solution there, as well. It fares well as a hanging plant, with long tendrils stretching over the sides of its container. Its vines love to climb, too, and with the proper surrounding infrastructure, you can create your own little wall of greenery.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
The placement of live plants around your bedroom obviously offers a variety of benefits. With the right selections, you can experience relaxing fragrances, better sleep, cleaner air, and beautiful enhancements to your decor. Even with the most low-maintenance picks, though, they do still require maintenance. Artificial plants simply cannot capture all of those benefits.
Before you invest in live plants, however, there are several factors to consider:
- Do you have pets? Some plants feature toxic properties that can be harmful to your furry friends. You might be able to protect a dog by placing such plants on a higher shelf, but if you’ve got a feisty feline as a roommate, they might be able to jump up to such perches.
- Do you frequently travel? Unless you have the best roommates, neighbors, or friends in the world, some of the selections on this list might not be a good fit for jet-setters. Keep in mind the watering and maintenance requirements of the plant you’re interested in and how your lifestyle might impact your ability to care for it.
- Do you have extensive allergies? While some of these plants can help relieve allergy symptoms, others can irritate them due to their pollen or fragrance, disrupting your REM cycles. Given the importance of sleep on our health, it’s important that you do your research before bringing a new species into your bedroom.
If any of these factors could complicate your life, then maybe artificial plants are a better choice for you. Overall, though, incorporating plant life into the landscape of your sleeping quarters is more boon than bane.
Where will the plants in your bedroom go?
