Plants that help you sleep
We all know that it’s important to get 7-9 hours of quality sleep (and at Simba we’re always in pursuit of the best night’s sleep, which is why we spend months prototyping and engineering the comfiest mattresses). But getting some great shuteye isn’t just about having a cosy bed - your bedroom environment can make a huge difference to your wellbeing while you sleep.
That’s where plants come in! Certain plants will soothe you with relaxing scents and, according to some experts, could even help purify the air in your bedroom (great news if you live in a city). As well as that, they’re a great way to make your room more welcoming too.
With that in mind, here’s our ultimate guide to plants and sleep.
The advantages of having plants in your bedroom
There are lots of reasons you should consider growing a home jungle in your bedroom, whether you’re green-fingered or not. If you need a little persuasion, think about this:
- Plants can help purify air
Many plants can absorb organic compounds that we don’t particularly want to breathe in ourselves. These include things like Trichloroethylene (found in varnish, paint, and glues), benzene (found in plastics and rubber) and ammonia (common in household cleaners). The more your plants breathe in, the less you do!
- Plants release oxygen while you sleep
All plants ‘breathe in’ (absorb) carbon dioxide and release oxygen. It’s perfect for us humans, as we do it the other way around. It won’t make a noticable difference to the amount of oxygen in the room, but it certainly won’t hurt. The best plants for bedroom oxygen include Aloe Vera and Christmas cacti.
- They make us feel more relaxed
It’s common knowledge that being around nature makes us feel calmer and more relaxed, so if you don’t live in the countryside, bringing a mini jungle to your own home is a great idea. Nothing looks more welcoming than a few pots of beautiful plants by the window, especially after a stressful day at work.
- They give us a little routine
Want to get into a good sleep routine? Building in a few minutes each evening to check your plants, top up their water, and generally care for something living is a good way to wind down and appreciate the quiet moments we get to ourselves.
The best plants for your bedroom
The best plants for your bedroom combine three characteristics: they’re attractive, easy to care for, and help improve the air quality in your bedroom (even if it’s just a little).
Here are five of our favourites:
1. Aloe vera
A recent study conducted by NASA looking at the air purifying properties of plants discovered they also lead to healthier sleeping patterns. Aloe Vera was listed as one of the most effective plants for oxygen in the bedroom. As the sun goes down, the plant begins emitting oxygen - and the more oxygen in the air, the easier time you’ll have drifting off. This has increased benefits for those suffering with sleep conditions such as sleep apnea.
Don’t have green fingers? Never fear - Aloe Vera is a low maintenance and hardy plant!
2. Jasmine
A recent study by Raudenbush et al, at the Wheeling Jesuit University found that jasmine was incredibly effective in reducing stress and anxiety levels, which allows for a better night’s sleep with reduced movement during the night. The participants studied were also recorded as having increased cognitive function. For a dose of your own naturally occurring alertness at work, opt for the Jasminum polyanthum variety which is said to get more fragrant at night.
3. Lavender
Lavender (also known as Lavandula angustifolia) is perhaps most closely associated with sleep and relaxation. During the middle ages, it was touted as an aphrodisiac, and in the 17th-century cited as a plant good for “all the griefs and pains of the head and brain”.
We now know that lavender can increase slow-wave sleep, a deep sleep in which the muscles relax and the heartbeat slows. It is during this sleep phase that the brain is said to organise memory. Studies have also shown that babies who sleep with lavender in the room cry less at night. All the more reason to get some lavender in your bedroom, we say!
If you suffer with anxiety, rub the leaves and flowers between your fingertips and massage onto your temples. In fact, if you’re looking for a little help with aromatherapy, we can help with our guide.
4. Japanese peace lily
They’re not just beautiful to look at - NASA found that the Japanese peace lily will rid your house of harmful toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. It can also increase the moisture in the air of a room by 5%. Better humidity levels help suppress airborne bacteria and microbes which, if let loose, can cause allergies keeping you awake.
Keep in a nice shady place (out of the reach of pets and children) and water weekly.
5. Gardenia
If you suffer with insomnia then gardenia is the plant for you. It is so effective at aiding sleep that it is often compared to valium. Instead of taking pills to combat sleep deprivation, gardenia is a natural replacement that is significantly healthier for you. The plant has to be kept in a bright room and does have to be carefully tended.
Choosing bedroom plants
So, you’ve decided to put some plants in your bedroom to help you sleep! But how do you choose? Ask yourself the following questions before you get started.
- How green fingered are you? If the answer is ‘not very’, go for something low maintenance. A dead plant is less relaxing than no plant at all.
- Can you easily fit the plant in your bedroom? Check how much surface and carpet space you have to make sure your plant isn’t overwhelming (remember they grow).
- How long will the plant live? If it only lasts a season, you might want to choose something you’ll get joy out of for a longer time instead.
- Do you have any allergies? The only disadvantage of having plants in your bedroom is that the extra pollen might be too much for some.
Pro tip: If you’re still not sure which plants to choose for your room, ask a green-fingered friend or, even better, take a trip to the gardening centre and ask staff for some help. They’ll be more than happy to guide you on your way.
