Plants for your Bedroom

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We recently got the amazing opportunity to purchase the townhouse we were renting from our landlord.  Now that we're closed and it's all ours, I'm now devising new places for plants to live!  I'm usually supposed to have an idea of where I want to put it or the boyfriend gets all overwhelmed when I bring home a new plant.  And in the interest of being a good partner/roommate so I at least try to think of places to put the plants before I press "complete order."  We have a shelf in front of our bedroom window that has room for some succulents, a spider plant, and is currently being taken over by an Oxalis.  Even though I haven't figured out quite how to do it yet, I'm looking into more ways to bring plants into our bedroom and which plants will do well there!

If you're into houseplants, you probably know that NASA recommends air purifying plants? If not, now you do! A study done in 1989 found that, in addition to absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, some common plants can remove chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.  These are the same volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that at home air filters eliminate.  Efficient air cleaning can be accomplished by at least one plant per 100 square feet but the study was done under sealed space station-like conditions.  Further research has concluded that further investigation is needed into air purification by plants.

Beyond all the science-y stuff, plants help create an environment that helps you feel more relaxed and happy so why not create a relaxing environment for your bedroom! So here are 11 plants that can help make your bedroom a happy, healthier oasis (even if you still have a TV and keep your phone next to your bed).

These plants can filter the air quality in your bedroom:

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English Ivy

I have seen this plant printed on so many household items I probably won't own one anytime soon but I can see why this plant is popular.  The trailing vines can add decoration to your room without splurging on decor and they can be trained to vine or trail, whichever your heart desires.  The ivy likes bright light but not direct light.  These plants can handle a drink once a week and a humidifier or a regular misting will make your Ivy quite happy.  

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Aloe Vera

Aloe Veras are great.  One of the first gifts I bought my boyfriend was an Aloe plant from Ikea that, unfortunately, did not survive the move to the East Coast.  I had read how they produce oxygen at night so they're great for helping you sleep.  These guys prefer bright light, but too hot will burn the leaves.  Place these guys in well-draining soil and water it regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.  When its thirst the leave will start to shrivel but if you give it too much water, the leaves will die.  This plant is better left forgotten about, with the occasional reminder to water. 

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Peace Lily

These guys are pretty popular and for good reason! They can manage high or low light situations and their roots are pretty tolerable.  Keep it by the window, and your peace lily will reward you with their white flower-like spathes.  They will let you know when they're thirsty by wilting and will quickly perk up when you reward them with some water.  

Spider Plant

We've covered this plant the last Plant Profile and really, I do love these guys!  They can take a beating and keep on growing.  These too can handle a variety of lighting situations and will start to get pale when they need a drink.

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Snake Plant

I love these guys, they're easy to grow and they're so hard to kill  They will survive in bright light or you can keep them in a dark corner; perfect for the bedroom!  Sansevieria plants prefer steady, indirect light but will adapt to low-light situations.  Allow the soil to dry between waterings and err on the side of underwatering this plant.  

Chinese Evergreen

The very first plant profile posted was on the Chinese Evergreen. These guys prefer indirect light but can manage most low to medium light situations.  Don't worry about putting them too close to the window because they don't like direct sun. Water when the soil has gone dry and give it a good drink every so often, reducing during the winter.  Try and keep them away from windows and events to keep them warm, they don't like to get too cold

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Golden Pothos

Oh, the Pothos.  So easy to grow.  My first Pothos was acquired in the office and lived in an Aquafina water bottle for 9 months before I took it home and put it in a pot.  It was happier in the water bottle.  Another trailing plant, these guys prefer bright but indirect light.  Let their soil dry out completely between watering and they leaves will start to droop when they need a drink. This plant prefers high humidity so will appreciate a regular misting but will thrive even in low humidity environments. 

Philodendron

This tropical plant thrives in light shade, so if you can provide a light that mimics a tropical canopy you will be rewarded with the full beauty of this plant.  These plants like a loose potting medium, not necessarily soil, and like to be moist at all times, which can be a challenge especially in the winter.  Give it a humidifier friend or mist it every day.  Unlike other mentioned plants, drooping leaves can mean either too much or not enough water so they don't really provide any clues on the watering front.  These plants have climbing varieties that are great for hanging or trailing, so like the English Ivy these make for great statement plants.  

These plants can bring aromatherapy straight from the source! However, the following plants are what I call certified Plant Asshole™ and are not recommended for the beginner or low-maintenance indoor gardener.  

Lavender and jasmine are known to help reduce anxiety and can help improve the quality of your sleep.  And rosemary can help alleviate stress and provide that air purifying effect that we discussed earlier! However, these plants all require a good amount of sunlight for them to survive, so if you plan on keeping your bedroom dark dark dark all the time, it may be better to look into essential oils or other methods of using these plants.  (I recommend the Sleepy lotion from Lush which is a Lavender DREAM (not sponsored, I just love it)).

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Lavender

Lavender grown indoors is needy and a certified Plant Asshole™. Lavender needs as much direct sunlight as possible (3-4 hours a day from a south facing window) and needs to be rotated on a weekly basis to promote even growth.  Without enough light, Lavender will get spindly and weak and will not produce flowers.  Drench lavender when you give it a drink and give it a chance to get a little dry before watering it again.  Too much water and you'll have to worry about root rot.  Too little water and your leaves will start to yellow.

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Rosemary

Another certified Plant Asshole™.  Rosemary also requires a hefty amount of direct sunlight, this one likes at least 6-8 hours.  Like Lavender, too much water will cause root rot and too little water will cause the plant to wilt and begin to die.  Water it when the top of the soil is dry but don't let the soil dry out completely.  

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Jasmine

This plant is less tetchy about light and more concerned about temperature.  If you want your Jasmine plant to bloom, it needs to be in cooler temperatures.  Jasmine likes bright, indirect light and cool temperatures.  As with Lavender and Rosemary, water when the top of the soil is dry but don't let it be too wet or dry.  Jasmine's are very susceptible to dryness in a room caused by HVAC and heaters so your Jasmine will probably want a humidifier or a regular misting to increase the humidity surrounding the plant.  If the right conditions are met, Jasmine will bloom around January-February time frame.  Here are the conditions: 4-5 weeks of nighttime temperatures between 40-50°F, plenty of sun, and complete absence of artificial light after sundown. 

Some of these plants are toxic to animals so be sure to check the ever helpful ASPCA website for whichever plant you are considering and take proper precautions to protect your furry family members!


Have you put any of these plants in your bedroom?  Are there any others not on this list that you would recommend?  Let us know in the comments how you've set up your bedroom oasis!

Until Next time!



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