11 Bedroom Plants to Help You Sleep

Embrace the biophilic trend by bringing the outdoors into your bedroom with plants. Not only do they add the finishing touches to your room, but they also offer amazing health benefits. Some even help you sleep better. We explore the best bedroom plants to create a calming space and promote sleep, plus top winter-friendly varieties to enhance relaxation all year round.

What are the best plants for the bedroom?

From jasmine 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

1. Jasmine

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.

Best plant for air purification

2. Snake Plant

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 a great plant in the bedroom!

Best plant for inducing sleep

3. Valerian

A valerian plant will look beautiful in your bedroom thanks to its small pink and white flowers. Aside from 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 a day, so keep them on a sunny window sill.

Best plant for deep sleep

4. Lavender

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.

Best plant for increasing humidity

5. Peace Lily

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.

Best plant for indoor hanging baskets

6. Golden Pothos

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.

Best plant for natural healing

7. Aloe Vera

This medicinal plant is a great 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.

Best low-maintenance plant

8. Spider Plant

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 good 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 soil. Hanging pots are a great choice for these as they have long, hanging leaves.

Best plant for bedroom feng shui

9. Jade Plant

Implementing Feng Shui in the bedroom can help improve the Chi (energy) of the room and make it a better environment for sleep and relaxation. Plants are an important part of Feng Shui as they bring life and attract good fortune. The jade plant is an excellent bedroom plant as it represents wealth, prosperity, and friendship.

Best large bedroom plant

10. Rubber Plant

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 tends to forget about watering and care.

Although rubber plants have been found to purify the air, making them great for improving sleep, the sap of the plant is toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. So, if you have pets or children, make sure that your rubber plant is kept out of reach.

Best colourful bedroom plant

11. Orchid

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. If you want to learn the meaning behind your dreams and nightmares, visit our Dream Encyclopaedia.

What are the best bedroom winter plants?

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

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:

Jade Plant: The jade plant can withstand cooler temperatures and thrive at temperatures as low as 10 degrees. During colder months, it needs water about once a month. Place it near a sunny window to maximise the shorter daylight hours.
Succulents: Succulents, like aloe vera, are practically fuss-free. They still prosper in dry winter air and require only occasional watering. Their compact size and soothing shapes make them an excellent choice for creating a relaxing, clutter-free feel in your bedroom.
Oxalis Triangularis: This eye-catching plant adds colour to your space with its deep purple, butterfly-like leaves. It loves indirect light and cooler temperatures, making it ideal for winter. The way its leaves open during the day and close at night is almost meditative. To incorporate more of this shade into your room, check out these gorgeous colours that pair with purple.
Pothos: A nearly indestructible plant, pothos is ideal for low-light conditions and uneven watering schedules—both common in winter. This trailing beauty is known for improving air quality, and its lush vines are great for decorating bedroom shelves or wardrobe tops. For more inspiration, check out these creative shelving ideas.
Cyclamen Persicum: Cyclamen’s bright blooms and lovely scent are just the thing to brighten up the darker winter months. Plus, its delicate fragrance can help you unwind before bed.
Phalaenopsis Orchid: Also known as the “moth orchid,” this elegant plant loves low-light conditions and brings a serene, spa-like vibe to your home. They are fantastic for creating a tranquil, restful bedroom.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (ZZ Plant): The ZZ plant champions low-maintenance greenery, quickly adapting to low-light conditions. Its shiny, deep green leaves add calm and elegance to a bedroom, making it an ideal winter companion for relaxation.

Our top picks:

Illustration of plants ideal for bedrooms, featuring a variety of greenery against a soft pink background

Adding plants to your bedroom isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that nurtures your well-being, from cleaner air to a calmer mind and better sleep. 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 months, resilient options like succulents and jade plants can flourish, keeping your sanctuary serene and inviting year-round.