Born from NASA technology and perfected for sleep.
Relationships
7 min read
Health & Wellbeing
Transform your sleep space with a dreamy bedroom plant. Discover how a leafy addition can purify the air, reduce stress, and create a calmer, cleaner atmosphere for the perfect night’s rest.
11 Min Read | By Gemma Curtis
Last Modified 14 April 2025 First Added 7 April 2017
Breathe easier, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling more refreshed just by adding a little greenery to your space. Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a peaceful retreat from the hustle of everyday life. And one of the simplest, most beautiful ways to boost its calming energy is to add a plant. Not only do they brighten up your decor, but the right plants can also purify the air, ease anxiety, and help you drift off naturally into a more restful sleep.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best bedroom plants for better sleep and deeper relaxation, whether you’re looking for a soothing scent, a touch of greenery, or a low-maintenance way to improve your air quality. From stress-reducing jasmine to air-purifying snake plants and everything in between, there’s a perfect leafy companion for every kind of sleeper.
From valerian and aloe vera to snake plants and lavender, we identify the best indoor plants to elevate your bedroom decor and help improve your sleep quality:
Best plant for relaxation
Jasmine plants have small, pretty white flowers. They give off a sweet scent, often used as an essential oil for relaxation, which studies have linked to reduced anxiety levels and improved sleep quality.
Jasmine plants are quite easy to maintain and look great in bedrooms. Place yours on the windowsill and water it regularly during flowering periods. You can let the top of the soil dry out slightly during non-flowering periods to avoid overwatering.
Tip: Place Jasmine near an open window in the evening to let its scent naturally fill the room, helping you relax.
Best plant for air purification
The snake plant (also known as ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’) is a natural air purifier. It emits oxygen at night that helps you sleep better. It also removes harmful chemicals from the air, such as xylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, benzene and formaldehyde. Formaldehyde can be found in household items like hairspray and has been found to cause respiratory problems, so this is an excellent plant in the bedroom!
Tip: For the best air-purifying results, place multiple snake plants around your bedroom.
Best plant for inducing sleep
A valerian plant will look beautiful in your bedroom thanks to its small pink and white flowers. In addition to filling a room with their sweet scent, valerian plants have been used for centuries to help with sleep problems, including insomnia. Inhaling the smell of valerian root has been shown to induce sleep and improve sleep quality. Add some petals to your bath, or take a few inhales of the sweet petals before you get into bed. These plants need around six hours of sun daily, so keep them on a sunny windowsill.
Tip: Before bedtime, rub the valerian leaves between your fingers to release its natural sleep-inducing scent.
Best plant for deep sleep
The smell of lavender is recognised everywhere as an excellent aid for relaxation. Lavender has been proven to lower the heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels, which is why it’s perfect for the bedroom. A study by the Miami Miller School of Medicine showed that the scent of lavender in bath oil calmed babies and sent them off into a deeper sleep while also reducing stress in the mother. Lavender plants like warmth and sunlight, so place yours on a sunny windowsill and water sparingly.
Tip: Lavender thrives best in dry conditions, so avoid overwatering it.
Best plant for increasing humidity
Like the snake plant, peace lilies are also amazing air cleaners, as studied by NASA. The added benefit of a peace lily is that it can increase room humidity by up to 5%, which is great for respiration during sleep. Apartment Therapy says: ‘Low humidity causes static electricity, dry skin and hair, increased susceptibility to colds and respiratory illnesses, and can allow viruses and germs to thrive’. Therefore, peace lilies really can contribute to your beauty sleep! They also have beautiful white flowers and only need a little light and watering once a week.
Tip: To mimic a tropical environment and encourage more humidity protection, mist the peace lily leaves occasionally.
Best plant for indoor hanging baskets
Also known as ‘Devil’s Ivy,’ this plant has marbled, heart-shaped leaves and is a superb air purifier, reducing airborne mould and bacteria. Because of its growth, it looks best in a hanging basket—a stunning design feature in your bedroom that’s great for keeping out of the way of small children or pets.
Tip: To encourage fuller growth, trim the vines regularly; this prevents the plant from becoming too lengthy in a hanging basket.
Best plant for natural healing
This medicinal plant is an excellent addition to any home. Like the other plants listed, it produces oxygen at night, improving the air in your bedroom. This plant is known as a ‘succulent’—it needs very little watering as it maintains moisture within its leaves. The gel from these leaves can be used to treat minor cuts and burns, insect bites, and dry skin. Keep your aloe vera plant in a sunny place to ensure it stays healthy.
Tip: For burns, cuts, or skin hydration, snap off a leaf when using the gel inside. This is better than buying a bottle of aloe gel.
Best plant for low-maintenance bedrooms
Spider plants are a very popular choice for a reason: They’re super easy to care for and long-lasting. Spider plants need moderate, indirect sunlight and occasional watering, so they are easy to keep alive. A study showed that caring for indoor plants can reduce blood pressure and help you feel soothed, making it the perfect activity to improve your mental health and encourage sound sleep.
Spider plants can also make great gifts. When your adult plant sprouts, it’s easy to take a cutting and root it in a small pot with some water. Once the roots are established, you can move your plant to the soil.
Tip: Keep your spider plant in a hanging pot or on a high shelf to let it trail beautifully in your bedroom, helping to save surface space.
Best plant for feng shui
Implementing Feng Shui in the bedroom can help improve the room’s Chi (energy) and create a better environment for sleep and relaxation. Plants are an essential part of Feng Shui as they bring life and attract good fortune. The jade plant is an excellent bedroom plant representing wealth, prosperity, and friendship.
Tip: To align with Feng Shui principles, place your jade plant near the entrance of your bedroom or in the southeast corner.
Best plant for large spaces
Rubber plants are perfect for making a statement. If you’re looking for a large plant, this hardy variety can grow up to 10 feet tall, with striking leaves. They’re very low maintenance, so this is another good option for someone who forgets about watering and care.
Although rubber plants have been found to purify the air, making them great for improving sleep, their sap is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. So, if you have pets or children, ensure your rubber plant is kept out of reach.
Tip: Wipe the larger leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks, as this will help the rubber plant absorb more light and look glossier.
Best plant for adding colour in your bedroom
Orchids are some of the most beautiful houseplants and add a touch of elegance to any space. They have a reputation for being difficult to look after, but many do well in a house environment and don’t need specialised knowledge or care. A happy orchid will bloom for months, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking for a colourful plant for their bedroom.
Plants have also been found to improve creativity, and the unique appearance of many varieties of orchids is bound to inspire you. Keeping orchids in your bedroom or workspace introduces natural beauty into your home, which can help improve your mood, reduce nightmares, and generally make you feel more content.
Tip: After the orchid blooms, trim the flower spike just above the node (small bump on the stem) to encourage new growth and another round of flowers.
Summer bedroom plants can instantly brighten your space, add a tropical holiday feel, and even help keep the air fresh during warmer nights. Here are some of the best plants to bring into your bedroom this summer:
Winter can be tricky for some indoor plants, with less daylight and drier air making things a little more challenging. But not all plants feel the chill the same way. Lindsay Pangborn, a garden expert at Bloomscape, explains:
Plants native to humid, tropical regions will have the most difficult time adjusting to winter, but plants native to climates with more extreme weather will hardly notice the seasonal shift in our homes. Lindsay Pangborn
Plants native to humid, tropical regions will have the most difficult time adjusting to winter, but plants native to climates with more extreme weather will hardly notice the seasonal shift in our homes.
Lindsay Pangborn
So, which plants will bloom in your bedroom this season? Here’s a list of the best indoor plants for winter that can help you sleep better:
Adding plants to your bedroom isn’t just about style – it’s about creating a space that supports better sleep, cleaner air, and a calmer mind. Whether you opt for an air-purifying snake plant, the soothing scent of lavender, or the bold beauty of a rubber plant, there’s a leafy companion to suit every style and need. Even during the chilly winter, resilient options like succulents and jade plants can flourish, keeping your sanctuary serene and inviting year-round.
See all articles by Gemma Curtis
Problems Sleeping
6 min read
Bedroom Design
8 min read
10 min read