Sleep is one of the most important elements of good health. But not all of the remedies available to help with sleep deprivation are naturally derived. There are a number of common house plants that contain beneficial properties to help you fall asleep better. Consider the help of plants in finding a healthy night’s sleep, whether they purify the air like areca palms or reduce anxiety like passionflowers.
These 10 bedroom plants will help you sleep better.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Study participants who used lavender essential oil before bed improved their sleep quality, as compared to participants in the control group, according to a 2015 report in the Journal of Alternative Medicine and Complementary Medicine. Keep a pot of lavender in your bedroom, but be sure to prune it to shape each spring after new leaves appear. The herb’s sweet fragrance is another reason to keep it in your bedroom.
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenias, also known as cape jasmine, are an evergreen shrub with a strong scent known to improve sleep. In a study published in the National Library of Medicine, crocetin, a component in gardenias, was found to help reduce waking episodes in sleepers. You should use drip irrigation when watering gardenias to prevent leaf spots. If this is your first time gardening, try gardenia essential oils, as the plant requires frequent watering and maintenance.
Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens)
The indoor Areca palm is one of the most popular plants due to its multiple stems that resemble bamboo and its ability to purify the air. Researchers from Pukyong National University have found that plant types such as areca palms aid in reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the surrounding environment. Everyone with springtime allergies knows how essential clean air is for good sleep. For best results, place your areca palm in an environment with high humidity.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
One group of plants, known for their remarkable ability to remove indoor air pollutants, is the snake plant, or as it is menacingly called, viper’s bowstring hemp. Scientists discovered that snake plants are adept at converting toxicants into fresh air in a famous NASA study. Throughout the growing season, water your snake plant regularly, and decrease the amount of water during the fall and winter. Keep a low-maintenance snake plant by your bedside and disregard the threatening name.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
According to a study published in Phytomedicine, English ivy extract improved respiratory function in children with asthma. Think about keeping English ivy plants on your windowsill or hanging in a basket above your bedroom window. English ivy is easy to propagate from stem cuttings in spring, making excellent gifts for friends.
Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
The purple passion flower, native to the Southeastern United States, has been shown to have anxiety-reducing effects which may be beneficial for establishing healthy sleep patterns. A clinical trial found that the flower’s extract, combined with oxazepam, helped patients cope with their anxiety. Purple passionflower flowers are exceptionally beautiful, as they feature a stunning crown of purple filaments. These flowers also yield edible, egg-shaped fruits called maypops.
Garden Heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis)
A long time ago, the heliotrope plant, or valerian, was associated with medicinal qualities, derived from the Latin word for health. Moreover, researchers reported a correlation between inhaling garden heliotrope extract and the increase in effective sleep times in a study published in Chemical Senses. Despite its ability to tolerate some shade, the garden heliotrope performs best when allowed full sun.
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
An herbal remedy that is used for a variety of conditions, chamomile has been used for everything from muscle spasms and ulcers to inflammation and insomnia. The effects of chamomile either through ingesting as a tea or inhaling through aromatherapy have been studied recently in Molecular Medicine Reports. Make chamomile tea by removing the flower heads and letting them dry, then arranging them in a vase on the bedroom windowsill for a soothing fragrance.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Native to the Solomon Islands, golden pothos has shown success in removing air pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene, among others, making it an ideal plant for improving sleeping conditions. Keep golden pothos away from pets as it is poisonous. Plant it in a pot or hanging basket near windows with partial sunlight.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Besides looking good in your bedroom, peace lilies can also detoxify it. The perennial evergreens have been observed to remove several kinds of toxicants from enclosed environments in a large study conducted by NASA researchers. Peace lilies prefer bright, filtered light, so place them near a south-facing window if possible. Make sure that they are planted in large pots to ensure proper root growth.
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