11 Bedroom Plants to Help You Sleep

11 Min Read | By Gemma Curtis

Last Modified 14 April 2025   First Added 7 April 2017

This article was written and reviewed in line with our editorial policy.

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.

What are the best plants for the bedroom?

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

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.

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

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 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

3. Valerian

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

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.

Tip: Lavender thrives best in dry conditions, so avoid overwatering it.

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.

Tip: To mimic a tropical environment and encourage more humidity protection, mist the peace lily leaves occasionally.

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.

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

7. Aloe Vera

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

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 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

9. Jade Plant

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

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 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

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.

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.

What are the best bedroom plants for summer?

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:

  • Aloe Vera: Perfect for purifying the air, as it absorbs toxins like formaldehyde and benzene, improving indoor air quality and promoting a healthier environment.
  • Eucalyptus: Great for clearing airways and bringing a calming, spa-like feel to your bedroom.
  • Lemon Balm: Ideal for bright bedrooms, lemon balm adds a tropical touch while helping to keep away mosquitoes, so say goodbye to those summer bug bites!
  • Geranium: Geranium plants grow well in sunny spots and give your bedroom a splash of vibrant colour. Their natural scent is citrusy and fresh.
  • Peace Lily: Thriving in humid conditions, peace lilies filter out toxins from the air and help increase moisture levels if your space feels dry in warmer weather.
  • Areca Palm: Its lush, feathery fronds help to maintain humidity levels.
  • Philodendron: It thrives in the summer and brings effortless greenery to shelves or hanging pots.
  • Lavender: It promotes relaxation, deters bugs, and adds a rustic summery touch to your bedroom.
  • Chamomile: With delicate white flowers and a gentle, relaxing scent, chamomile is fantastic for summer bedrooms. You can even use its dried leaves to brew a soothing bedtime tea.
  • Mint: Fresh mint adds a cool and refreshing scent to your bedroom.

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.
  • English Ivy: Great for low-light conditions, ivy plants thrive in cooler temperatures and help maintain a drier environment by removing toxins like mould and dust.
  • Spider Plant: This plant adapts well to the drier air of winter, thrives in colder months, and helps increase humidity in the air.
  • Christmas Cactus: This festive bedroom plant blooms during the winter, filling your bedroom with vibrant flowers when you need a pop of colour.

Our top picks:

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

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