Can Plants Improve Sleep? (+ Top 5 Plants For Better Sleep)

We have all been there before, those restless nights full of tossing and turning. Poor sleep can have a negative impact on your productivity, mental state, mood, quality of life and more. Lucky for you, there are numerous ways to improve your sleep, including cutting out caffeine, limiting napping throughout the day, reducing stress, sticking to a sleep schedule and even adding plants to your bedroom.

Can Plants Help With Sleep? Plants can improve sleep quality by removing harmful and irritating pollutants from the air, creating a relaxing environment through aromatherapy, and some can even soothe the nervous system and lower stress levels.

In this article, we will look at how houseplants improve sleep and the top five plants to help you sleep better.

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How Do Houseplants Improve Sleep?

Plants in the bedroom create a calm, relaxing environment while also purifying air quality. They work by reducing and eliminating stressors from the air that can cause allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues. In addition, many plants are known to have aromatherapy properties, in which certain scents can help lower stress levels and create an overall sense of calmness.

Not only does having plants around your bedroom aid with sleep, but caring for them can help as well. Taking care of plants before bed can help lower blood pressure and make you feel more relaxed overall.

Top 5 Plants That Help With Sleep

Below is a list of the top five plants that can help with sleep and how to take care of them.

1. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most recognized and widely used scents for relaxation and aiding in sleep. This helps to calm the mind by affecting the parasympathetic nervous system and bringing it to a neutral state. It has been known for reducing headaches, stress, and anxiety, improving cognitive functioning, and helping with insomnia. It is commonly found in the forms of lotions, bath products, teas, plants and essential oils. Not only is lavender beautiful to have around the house, but adding one to your bedroom will fill your space with a soothing aroma, creating an oasis for relaxation and better, longer sleep!

If you are considering adding a lavender plant to your bedroom, you can either do dried lavender or a fresh plant. Dried lavender can keep its scent for a full season and can last up to 10 years, depending on how it’s stored. On the other hand, lavender plants will produce a strong scent for as long as it’s living. They tend to last around five-plus years. Lavender plants are fairly easy to care for and will need a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight to thrive. Water your lavender plants when the soil is dry to the touch.

2. Jasmine

Jasmine plants have beautiful small white flowers that give off a sweet aroma that can help lead to a deeper, more restful night’s sleep. Its scent has been known for its calming properties and can help improve irritability, insomnia and anxiety in some cases. Jasmine is commonly found in the form of essential oils, lotions and beauty products, perfumes, modern medical treatments and, of course, plants. The soothing effect of Jasmine on the body and mind makes it a great addition to any home!

To take care of Jasmine plants, ensure there is a direct source of sunlight, especially in the spring and summer months. They enjoy slightly wet soil, although it is important to make sure it is not soggy. To avoid overwatering, use a pot with great drainages, such as the Le Tauci ceramic plant pots, and allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe plants are a popular house plant for their numerous health benefits, such as healing cuts, sunburns and minor burns, insect bites and dry skin. In addition to its healing properties, aloe plants purify the air at night, making it easier to breathe while you sleep and helping you sleep better and longer.

Aloes require a minimum of six hours of sunlight and should be placed in a sunny location. If your home does not have enough natural light, you can also use a grow light such as the Lordem Grow Light. You should water your aloe plant once every two weeks or when the top inch of soil has dried out.

4. Snake Plant

Snake plants are one of the top air-purifying plants. They can improve your sleep quality by providing oxygen at night while also removing harmful toxins, allergens, dust and danger from the air. Having better and cleaner air in your bedroom can aid with your breathing and assist with deeper sleep.

These are great low-maintenance plants that are incredibly easy to take care of. They can survive in any lighting, making them perfect for any room in your home. Snake plants should be watered when the soil dries out. Sometimes, you can go between two to three weeks between watering.

5. Peace Lily

Peace Lillies are beautiful house plants that act as natural air purifiers. They help to remove benzene, xylene, ammonia, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. In addition, they help to add moisture to the air, which can help give you a better night’s sleep quality if your bedroom air is currently too dry.

To take care of a Peace Lily, place them in an area that receives indirect light or is partially shaded. They should be watered weekly. If the leaves begin to drop, it’s time to water them. Since they love humidity, you can also mist the leaves occasionally.

To learn more about air-purifying plants, check out our article “Can Houseplants Remove Toxins From Your Home?”