Bedroom Plants 101: A Beginner's Guide

At Wilson & Dorset, we believe your bedroom should be your haven.

Along with incorporating natural fibres and textures into your design, selecting the best bedroom plants is a wonderful way to add the finishing touches to your master suite, kids' and guest bedrooms.

What's more, bedroom plants offer a number of health benefits alongside their aesthetic appeal.

Read on to discover the best bedroom plants for each of your sleeping spaces and how they can improve the look and feel of your home, as well as your well-being.

Is it OK to keep plants in the bedroom?

Caused by people worrying about the carbon dioxide some plants release at night, it's a bit of an urban myth that indoor plants are unsafe for a bedroom.

While many plants emit carbon dioxide rather than oxygen at night, a few plants in the bedroom will not emit enough carbon dioxide to be dangerous. Furthermore, not all plants release carbon dioxide at night.

Even when they are not photo-synthesising, some still emit oxygen.

Additionally, just like Wilson & Dorset sheepskin, air purifying plants filter harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and allergens from the air, improving indoor air quality.

Some plants also release relaxing and calming essential oils that help induce sleep and improve sleep quality, making them ideal bedroom plants.

Growing houseplants in bedrooms is very safe with correct plant selection. Below are some of our recommendations.

Do bedroom plants help sleep?

Yes! Due to the calming colours and soothing scents of the biophilic trend (bringing nature into the home), researchers have discovered that just 15 minutes interaction with green plants before bed may help:

• lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels

• decrease the time it takes to fall asleep

• reduce the amount of times you come out of deep sleep during the night

All of these elements contribute to a better, more restful sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling rejuvenated.

What are the health benefits of plants for your bedroom?

Pisa Stone Set

Sharing your bedroom with "breathing" plant life may make your atmosphere happier and healthier.

Nurturing and living with bedroom plants has been linked to stress alleviation, increased creativity, productivity, and focus, and faster recovery and healing.

Evidence also suggests that houseplants can improve the air quality in your home by emitting water vapor as they produce oxygen and remove toxins.

What is the best plant for a bedroom?

A snake plant, spider plant, peace lily, mother in law's tongue, corn plant, rubber plant, and succulent plants have made it onto our bedroom decorating shopping list recently, all for different reasons. Here's why:

Small plants in the bedroom

Small plants such as snake plants, succulents, orchids, neon pothos, aloe vera or peace lilies look great on a windowsill, bookshelf, workdesk or bedside table.

For added texture, you might choose the variegated leaves of an aglaonema or a baby tineke rubber tree.

They're light and portable, allowing you to choose the ideal location according to direct or indirect light, shade and growing season, or just to mix it up! Here are some of our favourite small plant options for a bedroom:

Snake plants

The snake plant (also known as mother in law's tongue) is a low-maintenance plant that looks great on a shelf or nightstand. Releasing oxygen into the air day or night, this tough little succulent will survive in most indoor spaces.

They do not require frequent watering and can thrive in low-light settings. They'll be ok without water for up to three weeks, so make an easy choice if you are away a lot or are a rookie plant parent!

A snake plant will also improve air quality by soaking up indoor air pollutants, so having one in each bedroom can be a good idea.

Succulents

Add a pop of the tropics, a mindful accent or a beachy vibe with succulents. Succulents are plants that have leaves and/or stems that retain water, such as the aloe vera plant.

They are amazingly adaptable to difficult regions where water is limited or only intermittently available.

Succulents come in a wide variety of colours, forms and sizes, will grow almost anywhere, and don't require much care, making them ideal for indoor plant newbies.

In terms of Feng sui, succulents represent new growth and life, so are a thoughtful choice when looking for fresh plants for a new chapter in any sleeping quarters, such as a child's nursery or renovated guest room.

Statement plants

Golden pothos

The quintessential bedroom plant, the golden pothos can withstand a wide range of care circumstances and light levels.

Their yellow-dappled, heart-shaped leaves look beautiful in morning sun, making them a sweet addition to a windowsill.

Epipremnum thrives in hanging baskets and may be encouraged to grow bigger leaves by climbing up a moss pole. The plants may also withstand repeated neglect, making them a good choice for beginners.

Spider plants

One of the hardiest of the hanging plants family, the spider plant is one of the most effective air filters and low maintenance indoor plants on the market. They are simple to grow, have lovely stripey leaves and are safe for kids and pets.

Cultivate a series of spider plants which flow from one basket to another to add some wow factor to an empty bedroom corner.

Children love transporting the little baby spider plants, making them an ideal eco-friendly kid's birthday gift too!

Peace lilies

When it comes to indoor plants, peace lily plants are among the easiest to care for, making them a popular choice. These gorgeous plants not only light up a bedroom, they also have air-purifying qualities.

These superstar plants have dark green leaves and white "flowers." These peace lily "flowers" are actually a unique leaf bract that grows hooded over the inner blossoms.

Rubber plant

These easy-to-grow bedroom plants have large, glossy dark green leaves that are an attractive highlight, enhancing any interior.

Great in indirect light or low light areas, this air-purifying tropical plant is ideal next to an armchair or chaise, or to add depth to a reading nook. The rubber tree can be a fussy plant, and may suffer leaf drop if stressed.

Avoid moving your plant once positioned.. Native to South Asia, Ficus elastica is a member of the fig genus, and its milky sap was originally used to make latex, hence the name, 'rubber tree'.

The Takeaway

House plants, with their green accents and air purifying qualities, make an excellent living addition to any bedroom.

Offering stunning silhouettes, texture and depth, they can bring a natural, dark, or brilliant splash of colour to your bedroom's design.

Whether you choose a bedroom plant with variegated leaves, succulents or a graceful indoor tree, you'll be on your way to an urban jungle, improved indoor air as well as a better night's sleep in no time. Embrace the serenity.