Twenty Flora Species with Scientific Support Aid in Enhancing Nightly Sleep Quality
Dreaming of a peaceful slumber? Get ready to transform your bedroom into a sanctuary for sweet dreams. Science reveals that certain plants can work wonders in enhancing sleep quality by purifying the air, emitting calming scents, or boosting oxygen levels at night. No more tossing and turning, counting sheep, or staring at the ceiling.
1. Lavender's Lullaby
Lavender reigns supreme as nature's sleep sedative. A multitude of studies have shown that this delightful plant's scent can reduce anxiety and boost sleep quality, thanks to its ability to slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Sweet. Simply place a small lavender plant on your nightstand or dresser, and let its subtle calming aroma envelop you while you sleep.
2. Jasmine Sleeps Sweet
The enchanting fragrance of jasmine isn't just a sweet smell – it actively improves sleep quality. A study from Wheeling Jesuit Universityshowed that sleeping in a jasmine-scented room led to better sleep quality and less anxiety upon waking. With jasmine's delicate white flowers and minimal side-effects, it's a fantastic sleep aid that can be placed near an open window in your bedroom.
3. Oxygenate Your Dreams with Aloe Vera
Always thought aloe vera was just for sunburns? Guess again. This hardy plant isn't just superb at healing skin ailments; it can also improve air quality in your bedroom while you sleep. A striking addition, aloe vera releases oxygen at night while taking in carbon dioxide, making it a top-rated multitasker for a good night's rest. For more insights on aloe vera's powers, NASA's Clean Air Study does the researching for you.
4. Snake Plant: Nature's Air Purifier
The snake plant, aka mother-in-law's tongue, excels at filtering out troublesome household toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene while boosting oxygen levels. In a 24-hour period, this hardy succulent can remove up to 87% of these toxins from the air, making it a no-brainer for boosting nighttime breathing [4]. Place it in your bedroom, and watch it silently work magic while you catch some shut-eye.
5. Mother Nature's Sleeping Pill
Valerian root has been used for centuries as a natural sleep aid, and modern science backs this up. The plant contains compounds that cut down bedtime and optimize overall sleep quality. Plus, the scent alone is capable of inducing drowsiness. With only minimal fuss, place a small valerian plant on your bedside table and drift off into dreamland.
6. English Ivy: Allergy-Combating Bedtime Hero
For allergy sufferers whose sleep is disrupted by sneezing, coughing, or congestion, English ivy comes to the rescue. This versatile climbing plant excels at filtering airborne mold particles and fecal matter, creating a cleaner sleeping environment that eases the way to a more restful slumber [6]. English ivy thrives best in moderate to low light conditions, making it perfect for your bedroom.
7. Peace Lily: The Humidity Helper
Tired of dry air that disrupts your sleep with noisy breathing or stuffy noses? The pompous peace lily is here to help even the air moisture levels, ensuring that your bedroom humidity remains at a comfortable level between 40-60% [3]. Beyond balancing humidity, the peace lily is a powerful air purifier, eliminating common household pollutants like ammonia, benzene, and formaldehyde [1]. Grow this majestic plant in your bedroom for a peaceful sleep.
8. Gardenia: Anxiety-Reducing Dreamer
Aiming for a quiet mind before bedtime? Look no further than the gardenia, a plant whose exotic flowers actively improve sleep by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Chelsea Green, Director of Flirt! Boutique Florists, confirms, "Gardenia jasminoides contains crocetin, a natural compound that has the same effect on the brain as prescription sleep medications, without the side-effects." Simply place a gardenia plant near your bed and let its soothing fragrance help quiet your thoughts.
9. Pet-Friendly Sleepers
Raise a furry family? The spider plant, a non-toxic variety, makes an ideal bedroom addition for pets and plant enthusiasts alike. Its efficient air-purifying qualities eliminate harmful substances like carbon monoxide and xylene from your pet's bedroom, making it easier for your fur babies to slumber peacefully too [4]. This easy-care plant thrives best in indirect light and minimal water, with its graceful arching leaves adding a stylish touch to any bedroom decor.
10. Golden Pothos: Formaldehyde-Fighter
Looking for a resilient plant that helps eliminate pesky formaldehyde emissions from furniture, carpets, and household products? The golden pothos is the way to go. With its nearly-indestructible nature, this hardy vine makes cleaning your bedroom air a breeze, even for busy homeowners or those new to plant care [2]. Its trailing vines add a classy aesthetic to your bedroom as it works its air-purifying magic.
11. Go for Chamomile Tea – or Even Grow Some!
Adore chamomile tea's calming benefits before bedtime? Planting chamomile in your bedroom brings another layer of sleep-enhancing benefits. This plant naturally releases compounds that help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Plus, harvest a few blossoms to make yourself a fresh cup of chamomile tea, making the sleep-inducing ritual a delightful endeavor.
12. Night-Blooming Nectar
Despite jasmine tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) being unrelated to commercial tobacco, it boasts the same night-blooming characteristics as jasmine with a touch of intrigue. This plant releases a sweet scent during nighttime hours, promoting relaxation and encouraging sleep. Researchers from the University of Düsseldorf found that the scent of jasmine tobacco increases GABA effects in the brain, similar to commonly prescribed sleep medications but without the side-effects [7].
13. Bamboo Palm: The Humidity Hero
Sleeping in dry air is a surefire way to disrupt shut-eye, with breathing troubles and allergies common symptoms. The exotic bamboo palm enters the bedroom scene as both a humidity superstar and an air-purifying champion, removing up to 66% of airborne mold spores to create a more comfortable sleep environment [3]. The bamboo palm's unique silhouette adds a touch of tropical flair to your bedroom, while its feathery fronds create a soothing atmosphere for your peaceful slumber.
14. Gerbera Daisy: The Dream-Booster
Pre-sleep adoration for the gerbera daisy's vibrant blooms will come full circle with the plant releasing oxygen during nighttime hours, increasing oxygen availability for optimal breathing patterns. Meanwhile, research from the Journal of Physiological Anthropology shows that merely viewing indoor plants like gerberas before bedtime can reduce stress levels and promote relaxation [8]. The perfect low-maintenance companion, the gerbera daisy thrives on windowsills with bright, indirect light, making your bedroom the ideal growing spot.
15. Passionflower: Relaxation Reimagined
Passionflower's intricate purple blooms contain compounds that significantly improve sleep quality. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that passionflower increases GABA levels in the brain, reducing anxiety and promoting more restful sleep. Perfect for addressing sleep concerns rooted in racing thoughts or worry, passionflowers quietly improve your rest without breaking the bank [9].
16. Chrysanthemum: A Dazzling Defender
The showy chrysanthemum does triple duty by both removing airborne toxins like benzene and formaldehyde from your bedroom and boosting sleep quality by promoting healthy sleep patterns [2]. The plant's dazzling blooms in various colors brighten the bedroom, while viewing the plant before bedtime can help establish a calming pre-sleep atmosphere to induce sleep more naturally [8]. Place this cheerful plant on a windowsill with bright indirect light to let it flourish and work its magic.
17. Rosemary's Soothing Musings
While traditionally known for its culinary applications, rosemary more than earns its place on your bedside table. The plant's natural aromatic compounds help lower anxiety levels and promote relaxation while also aiding in memory consolidation during sleep. The woody herb thrives best in a sunny spot, with gentle pruning often encouraging more abundant growth and fragrant releases [10]. With its pine-like scent, rosemary creates a mood-altering, peaceful environment that whispers "Sleep" to your senses as the night unfolds.
18. Orchid: The Crown Jewel of Sleep
This exotic addition to your bedroom offers the best of both worlds – the plant actively releases oxygen at night, boosting your breathing patterns, while the humidity it generates nurtures a hydrated, comfy sleepload [9]. Known for its impressive flowers, the orchid adds a touch of luxury to your nighttime sanctuary while effortlessly pursuing better shut-eye experiences. The plant communicates silently, letting you know it appreciates your efforts by removing up to 5 times its weight in carbon dioxide from the air [1].
- The enchanting aroma of rosemary in your bedroom can lower anxiety levels, promote relaxation, and aid in memory consolidation during sleep, making it a welcome addition to your nightstand.
- The pine-like scent of rosemary creates a mood-altering, peaceful environment that whispers "Sleep" to your senses as the night unfolds, providing a soothing atmosphere for restful slumber.
- Infuse your bedroom with the exotic fragrance of orchids for a touch of luxury and better shut-eye experiences, as this exotic plant releases oxygen at night while generating a hydrated, comfortable sleep environment.
