When we drift off to sleep at night, the oxygen level in our blood drops by up to 15%. While not everyone is greatly affected by this drop in oxygen levels, it can cause sleep disruption in others.
Adding plants to your bedroom is an excellent way of increasing the levels of oxygen in the room. And according to a NASA study, some household plants can even purify the air from harmful chemicals.
Below are the five best oxygen-producing indoor plants that will contribute to a better night’s sleep.
1. Snake Plant
In addition to having an incredibly cool name, the snake plant (a.k.a. the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) is known for its high levels of night-time oxygen production and is the ideal plant to include in your bedroom.
The snake plant is also renowned for removing harmful toxins from the air, including benzene, xylene, and toluene, contributing to much purer air quality in your bedroom.
This makes it a great alternative to buying an expensive air purifier, with prices ranging from £100-£350. While a snake plant will cost you around £15-£30, depending on its size.
They are also a common household plant, since they are easy to take care of. Snake plants can store water in their leaves, so even if you forget to water them, they won’t dry up. Plus, they are tolerant to shade, so even if your bedroom doesn’t have a lot of sunlight during the day, it can still thrive pretty well.
2. Peace Lilly
Widely known as excellent air cleaners, peace lilies (a.k.a spathiphyllum) also raise room humidity by around 5%, which is known to reduce your susceptibility to colds and other respiratory conditions.
As well as being strikingly beautiful, peace lilies bring a calming influence into the bedroom and are appreciated thanks to their ability to reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue when placed next to the bed.
If you’re wondering how easy it is to take care of a peace lily, it’s actually quite easy. As far as the watering goes, you should only water them once their soil is dry, which is usually once a week. This plant doesn’t require a lot of light either, and can be placed in bedroom with low or medium light.
3. Lavender
While you might be surprised to see lavender on this list, it’s actually an excellent plant to add to your bedroom. As well as increasing oxygen levels, lavender is known for its natural healing properties and helps even the lightest of sleepers sink into a deep and undisturbed sleep.
By adding a lavender plant to your bedroom, you will also benefit from the fragrant smell the herb produces, which certainly isn’t a bad thing!
However, keep in mind that lavender needs a lot of sunlight in order to thrive. So it’s best to place them next to a south facing window in your bedroom. If there isn’t much sunlight coming into your bedroom, lavender might not be the best choice.
Alternatively, you can still enjoy the scent of lavender, by buying a lavender scented candle or a lavender pillow spray, for example.
Tip: If you have trouble falling asleep, make sure you read these 3 benefits of sleeping before bed.
4. Gerbera Daisy
While people often opt for green, leafy plants for their bedrooms, the gerbera daisy is a beautiful bright orange flower that will bring a dash of colour and exuberance to your room.
But as well as being pretty, the gerbera daisy does a great job of producing high levels of oxygen during the night and removes harmful chemicals from the air at the same time. It’s undoubtedly a beautiful and healthy addition to your nightstand.
However, gerbera daisy is a tricky plant to take care of indoors. For one it will require lots of sunlight, in order to bloom and thrive well. If there is little sunlight in your bedroom, the plant will get leggy and pale, and won’t produce as many blooms. Plus, it’s susceptible to fungal diseases, such as crown rot.
5. Valerian
Valerian root is an important and widely used herbal ingredient that treats a range of sleeping disorders, including insomnia. The beautiful white and pink flowers of the valerian plant give off a sweet scent and create a harmonious environment in which to fall effortlessly asleep. Like other plants, valerian also removes toxins and releases oxygen, helping to purify the air in your bedroom to provide a much better night’s sleep.
Valerian is easier to grow outdoors than indoors, since it needs lots of bright sunlight and well-draining soil. You’ll need to water it regularly as well.
Final thoughts.
Adding an indoor plant to your bedroom is an excellent way of increasing the oxygen levels in your room while providing a sense of peace and tranquillity at the same time. The five plants introduced here will make your bedroom smell and look a lot nicer and will help you achieve a restful night’s sleep.
However, before you choose which plant is right for your bedroom, you need to consider a few things. How much sunlight your bedroom has (low, medium or high), and how often you’re able to water your plants.
For example, if you have a busy schedule or a travelling often, you might want to get the Snake Plant or Peace Lilly since they don’t require frequent watering.
