Bedrooms are underrated plant spaces. The natural temperature moderation, relatively stable humidity, and typical reduced daytime light-traffic make bedrooms surprisingly friendly to many houseplants. The bonus: certain plants are believed to improve sleep environments, making them functional additions to the room where you spend a third of your life.
This guide covers the 12 best bedroom plants, what makes bedrooms unique, and the species to avoid if you value your sleep.
Quick Answer: Best Bedroom Plants
The 12 best bedroom plants are snake plant, lavender, aloe vera, peace lily, pothos, spider plant, English ivy, jasmine, valerian, gardenia, areca palm, and Boston fern. Snake plant is the top pick because it releases oxygen at night (unusual for most plants), tolerates low bedroom light, and requires minimal attention. Bedrooms benefit from foliage plants that filter air and provide aesthetic calm without requiring bright direct light.
What Makes a Good Bedroom Plant
Bedroom conditions differ from other rooms:
- Lower light during the day: bedrooms typically see less use and may have curtains drawn
- Consistent temperature: bedrooms stay close to the thermostat target
- Ambient humidity: humidifiers for sleep comfort can boost humidity; some bedrooms are humid from being near bathrooms
- Reduced traffic: plants are rarely bumped or moved
- Night-time considerations: some people prefer plants that release oxygen at night
- Allergies: some plants are better for allergy sufferers than others
A good bedroom plant tolerates medium-low light, handles typical indoor humidity, is non-toxic (especially important where children or pets may sleep), and contributes to a calming atmosphere.
The 12 Best Bedroom Plants
1. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Why it thrives in bedrooms: Unique among houseplants in releasing oxygen at night (CAM photosynthesis). Tolerates bedroom light levels and requires minimal attention. The top bedroom plant for most people.
Light: Any indoor light
Watering: Every 10-14 days
Size: 2-4 feet
Pet safe: No (mildly toxic)
Best placement: Dresser or nightstand
See our complete snake plant care guide.
2. Lavender (Lavandula)
Why it thrives in bedrooms: The scent is associated with relaxation and sleep improvement. Requires sunny bedrooms but has real aromatherapy value.
Light: Bright indirect to direct sun
Watering: Every 7-10 days, let soil dry between
Size: 1-2 feet
Pet safe: Mildly toxic to cats and dogs in large quantities
Best placement: Sunny windowsill
3. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Why it thrives: Releases oxygen at night (like snake plant). Useful as a first-aid plant. Minimal care.
Light: Bright indirect to direct
Watering: Every 2-3 weeks
Size: 1-2 feet
Pet safe: No (mildly toxic)
Best placement: Sunny windowsill or bright corner
4. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Why it thrives: Included in NASA’s clean air studies. Tolerates bedroom light levels. Flowers occasionally.
Light: Medium indirect
Watering: Every 5-7 days when leaves droop
Size: 1-2 feet
Pet safe: No (toxic)
Best placement: Corner or nightstand
See our complete peace lily care guide.
5. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Why it thrives: Forgiving, fast-growing, easily propagated. Trails from shelves or bookcases.
Light: Any indoor light
Watering: Every 7-10 days
Size: Vines 3-10 feet
Pet safe: No (toxic)
Best placement: High shelf or hanging basket
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Why it thrives: Non-toxic (pet-safe), easy propagation, tolerates bedroom conditions.
Light: Medium indirect
Watering: Every 7-10 days
Size: 1-2 feet
Pet safe: Yes
Best placement: Shelf or hanging basket
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Why it thrives: Traditional bedroom plant, handles lower light, trails beautifully.
Light: Medium indirect
Watering: Every 5-7 days
Size: Vines 2-10 feet
Pet safe: No (toxic — per ASPCA)
Best placement: High shelf
8. Jasmine (Jasminum)
Why it thrives: Fragrant flowers can aid relaxation. Needs bright conditions but rewards with nighttime scent.
Light: Bright indirect
Watering: Every 3-5 days
Size: Vines 3-6 feet
Pet safe: Varies by species (some toxic)
Best placement: Bright windowsill
9. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Why it thrives: Roots are used for sleep supplements. Growing it next to your bed has traditional calming associations. Better for functional/herbal bedrooms.
Light: Bright indirect
Watering: Every 3-5 days
Size: 3-5 feet
Pet safe: Yes
Best placement: Bright windowsill
10. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Why it thrives: Fragrant white flowers. The scent is intensely relaxing for many people. Requires bright conditions.
Light: Bright indirect
Watering: Every 4-6 days, keep soil moist
Size: 2-3 feet
Pet safe: No (mildly toxic)
Best placement: Sunny windowsill
11. Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
Why it thrives: Large-leafed and architectural. Adds softness to bedroom aesthetics. Non-toxic.
Light: Medium-bright indirect
Watering: Every 5-7 days
Size: 4-8 feet
Pet safe: Yes
Best placement: Floor corner near a window
12. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Why it thrives: Soft texture, humidity-loving (good for bedrooms with humidifiers), non-toxic.
Light: Medium-low indirect
Watering: Every 4-6 days
Size: 1-3 feet
Pet safe: Yes
Best placement: Shelf or hanging basket
Plants to Avoid in Bedrooms
Plants with strong fragrances (if you are sensitive)
Jasmine, gardenia, and other intense-scent plants are wonderful for some and headache-inducing for others. Know your sensitivity before placing near your bed.
Plants requiring direct sun
Cacti and succulents generally need more light than most bedrooms provide. Exceptions: aloe vera and haworthia in sunny bedrooms.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Needs specific light and has a reputation for being fussy. Bedroom light is typically insufficient.
Plants that attract pests
Ficus species and some flowering plants attract gnats and other pests. Avoid if you are sensitive to indoor pests.
Toxic plants in kids’ or pet rooms
For children’s bedrooms or rooms where pets sleep, stick to non-toxic options. The ASPCA’s plant database covers toxicity ratings for hundreds of common houseplants.
Do Plants in Bedrooms Affect Sleep Quality?
The science on air quality
The NASA Clean Air Study tested plants for removing airborne toxins. Popular bedroom plants (snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, Boston fern) showed positive effects. However, the effect at typical household plant densities is minimal. Research suggests you would need dozens of plants to meaningfully affect air quality in a single room.
The science on oxygen
Snake plants and aloe vera release oxygen at night through CAM photosynthesis. Most plants do the opposite — they absorb oxygen at night. The oxygen contribution from a few plants is not nutritionally meaningful, but the reputation has made snake plants a bedroom staple.
The aesthetic and psychological effect
The most consistent “sleep quality” benefit from bedroom plants is psychological. Plants create a calming atmosphere, add visual softness to hard bedroom surfaces, and many people find the presence of green life subtly relaxing. This effect is real even if air quality impact is not.
Allergy considerations
Some plants cause allergies in sensitive people: pollen-producing flowers (gardenia, jasmine), mold that grows on overwatered soil, or scent sensitivities. If you have respiratory concerns, stick to hardy foliage plants with minimal pollen (snake plant, pothos, ZZ plant).
Bedroom Plant Placement
Near windows but not in draft paths
Bedroom windows often have drafts from curtains and HVAC. Position plants 1-2 feet from the window to benefit from light without cold drafts.
Avoid above the bed
A plant directly above where you sleep can drop leaves, attract gnats, or require awkward watering. Place plants nearby but not overhead.
Consider elevated spaces
Dressers, bookshelves, and high corners provide plant space without taking up floor space.
Use hanging baskets
Trailing plants in hanging baskets maximize vertical space in bedroom environments where floor space is limited.
Group small plants
A cluster of 3-5 small plants creates visual impact and slight humidity boost without overwhelming the room.
Common Bedroom Plant Problems
Pale or stretching growth
Usually low light. Bedrooms often have less direct light than expected. Move closer to the window or consider a small grow light.
Yellow leaves
Usually overwatering. Bedrooms with cooler temperatures and less airflow dry soil slower than other rooms. Reduce watering frequency.
Pests
Fungus gnats thrive in bedrooms with humidifiers if soil stays wet. Let soil dry between waterings. See our fungus gnats guide.
Dust on leaves
Bedroom plants accumulate dust from linens and upholstery. Wipe leaves monthly with a damp cloth to maintain photosynthesis efficiency.
Setting Up a Bedroom Plant Collection
Start with 1-2 plants
A single snake plant or pothos establishes your bedroom as a plant-friendly space. Observe how they respond before adding more.
Add by light zones
Identify where bright light reaches (near windows) and where it doesn’t. Place bright-light plants in window zones, low-light plants elsewhere.
Consider the nightstand
A small plant on a nightstand becomes part of your daily routine. Something like a small snake plant or ZZ plant tolerates the limited attention.
Hanging plants extend to corners
Use wall hooks or ceiling hooks for trailing plants that would otherwise not fit in a bedroom.
FAQ
Do plants produce carbon dioxide at night?
Most do. Plants respire continuously but primarily photosynthesize during the day. At night, they respire (taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide) without photosynthesizing. However, the amount is negligible for a few bedroom plants. Snake plants and succulents use CAM photosynthesis and release oxygen at night, a rare exception.
Is it safe to sleep in a room with plants?
Yes. The old myth that plants deplete bedroom oxygen is unfounded. A few plants contribute essentially nothing to oxygen/CO2 balance in a room.
How many plants can I have in my bedroom?
As many as the space and light can support. 2-10 plants is typical. The limiting factors are light and your willingness to care for them, not air quality.
Which bedroom plant is best for allergies?
Snake plant and ZZ plant. Both have low pollen production, resist mold on soil surface (due to drought-tolerant watering), and are generally hypoallergenic.
What bedroom plant is best for improving air quality?
Peace lily, snake plant, and spider plant were all shown in NASA studies to remove common indoor toxins. The effect at single-plant density is minimal; multiple plants help more.
Can plants bring bugs into the bedroom?
Occasionally. Fungus gnats thrive in overwatered soil. Prevent by using well-draining soil, appropriate watering, and inspecting new plants before bringing them home.
Should I turn plants away from the bed at night?
No. Plants have no directional impact on sleep. Position them for light access and aesthetics, not direction.
Bedrooms Make Great Plant Spaces
Once you match bedroom-tolerant species to your specific bedroom conditions, plants become part of your daily morning and evening routine. Start with a snake plant (night oxygen, low care), add a pothos for trailing greenery, and expand from there.
For other room guides, see our bathroom plants guide, office plants guide, and low-light rooms guide. For broader plant matching, our complete hard-to-kill houseplants guide has the master list.
Bedrooms with plants feel calmer. The science is minor; the atmosphere is real.