Houseplants can do a lot more than simply adding a welcome touch of green to your surroundings. Did you know that, in addition to cleaning the air in your home, some houseplants can also help you get a good night’s rest? It’s true. In fact, incorporating some or all of the following houseplants into your bedroom décor could help ensure that your sleep is downright deep and refreshing.
Jasmine A beautiful plant to gaze on as you drift off to dreamland, the jasmine also releases a relaxing, sweet scent that has been shown to lead to more restful sleep, decreased anxiety and greater mental performance.
Aloe Vera This sunburn-soothing staple releases oxygen at night rather than during the day so can you enjoy more restful sleep with purer air. Bonus: Aloe is also known to help reduce levels of volatile organic compounds like benzene and formaldehyde.
Lavender The soothing scent of lavender has long been thought to promote a restful sleep (hence all the sachets, sprays, lotions and soaps that carry the aroma). And science backs up the plant’s claim: One study showed that infants exposed to lavender during their baths cried less and slept better (and so did their moms)!
Gerbera Daisy Like the aloe, these bright beauties also do double duty by both releasing oxygen at night as well as removing trichloroethylene from the air. You can rest easier knowing your air is cleaner!
Spider Plant Able to remove unpleasant odors along with airborne toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene, spider plants (aka airplane plants) also help sustain O2 levels. And they have the added benefit of being very easy to care for.
Valerian While people as far back as the ancient Greeks and Romans have used valerian root to treat insomnia and to help calm and sedate, a 2006 study shows that simply inhaling this herb’s scent can hasten the onset of sleep and even enhance its quality.
Gardenia Known for its captivatingly sweet scent, gardenia contains an active compound that has been shown to not only improve sleep quality but also to enhance mood. Win win!
Some houseplants can be toxic to humans and/or pets. Be sure to research any plants you bring into your home and keep toxic plants out of reach of children and/or pets.
Have you experienced how houseplants can help you achieve a good night’s sleep? We’d love to hear about it. Just drop us a line in the comments below.Resources:
Thanks for the information on plants. A lot of it was new to me! You know I am a plant llover. I am going to do more research on the plant Jasmine. We used to have it when we lived in the island and it was a beautiful big bush. It smelled so good!
I did not realize that plants sucked up VOC. Plus the change CO2 to O2. WIN, WIN, WIN!!!
Had no idea about plants helping you sleep better! I’m excited to get some new plants in my house!
I want to put some plants into my school library so I have found this very useful.
I shared this with my customers so they could know ways to help get a better night’s sleep! Thank you!
This is great! I’m intrigued by the spider plant!! And I’ve had an Aloe Vera plant, but didn’t know it released oxygen at night!
Wow, I definitely need to get some plants in here!
I love house plants! But I didn’t know some of these have specific chemicals they absorb. That’s great. I need to get some of these!
Love this list. Have some on balcony but will bring them into the bedroom.
Love this article!
Thanks for your comment, Courtney! We’re glad you liked it!
Interesting information. I think some aloe plants are in my future.
Love house plants. I now have several in my home, but feeling like the more the merrier! I’d love to add the spider plant and jasmine to my home!