Many people already know the benefits of keeping plants indoors. They help filer the air and remove allergens from your space. They also add a cheerful bit of color and life to your rooms. And there are so many plants that grow well in containers, anyone can find a plant that works well for their lifestyle, even those with a black thumb.
But what you may not know is that some plants are better suited for certain rooms than others. For example, keeping the right plant in your bedroom can help you get better sleep. That may seem like a stretch to some, but the unique characteristics of some plants can be a big help for those who suffer from insomnia, or just have a hard time staying in a deep sleep throughout the night.
Here are some of the best house plants to promote better sleep:
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Lavender: Lavender is a common ingredient in nighttime aides like lotions or bath salts. The scent of lavender is known to reduce anxiety and make people drowsy by lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Lavender is one of the leading additives in baby products because it is shown to calm fussy babies and help them sleep deeper during the night. Instead of using artificially scented ingredients, keeping a lavender plant in your room is a natural way to get the benefits of lavender.
- Aloe Vera: If you aren’t great at keeping plants alive, an aloe plant is one of the best choices for house plants. It doesn’t require frequent care, and reproduces easily, so you can quickly find yourself with an aloe plant in every room. It emits more oxygen at night than other plants, making it perfect for healthy sleep. In fact, NASA considers aloe to be one of the top air-improving plants on Earth, and the gel inside the thick, waxy leaves can be used for cuts, burns, and insect bites.
- English Ivy: This is another plant rated by NASA as a top air purifier. Ivy has been shown to improve the symptoms of asthma and allergies, which can seriously affect sleep quality. Additionally, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology performed a study in 2005 that showed that English Ivy can remove 78% of airborne mold in just 12 hours. Just be sure to keep ivy hanging up high where pets can’t get to it; it’s toxic when ingested.
Valerian:
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- This flowering plant blooms pink or white in the summer and is commonly used as a perfume ingredient. But as far back as the 16
th
- century, valerian has been used as a tincture or tea for insomnia. Modern research shows that even inhaling the scent of valerian can help you fall asleep quickly and reduce tossing and turning. This plant needs a full six hours of sun every day, so it’s best in a window.
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- Gardenia: Gardenia plants are a popular addition to bedrooms because some studies have shown that inhaling their scent is as effective as Valium for inducing sleep and reducing anxiety. These plants need a lot of attention in order to grow properly, so only those with green thumbs should consider these.
Not only can plants help purify the air and reduce stress through aromatherapy, the sight of living plants can also vastly improve the aesthetics of any space. Plants are an easy way to decorate a space, especially when you can’t or don’t wish to hang pictures. Add a few plants to your bedroom in order to experience the best night’s sleep you’ve had in ages.