Sweet dreams – the soothing power of plants
Want a better night’s sleep. These indoor plants in your bedroom should help.
We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, especially when stress and anxiety keeps us awake. In addition to all the regular sleep tips, have you considered the soothing power of plants, especially those that release oxygen at night, which cleans and purifies the air we breathe while sleeping?
Night-time air fresheners
Stale air in the bedroom, especially if the windows are closed, may be the reason for feeling stuffy and lethargic in the morning. Plants that are specially adapted to release oxygen at night, will keep the air fresh, allowing you to sleep better.
The good news is that these are not exotic, unobtainable plants but popular indoor plants such as Areca palm (also known as the golden cane palm), Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), Sansevieria (Mother-in-law tongue), Phalaenopsis orchids, epiphytic bromeliads, Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant), Aloe Vera, and Gerbera (hybrid of Barberton daisy).
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
This is the perfect plant for the bedside table. It is compact and neat, grows in medium to low light and only needs watering once a week. It tops NASA’s list of air purifying plants and also raises the humidity in your room by as much as 10% which can help stop that dry mouth or nose from keeping you awake. Place it in a beautiful container and you have an air freshener that is both pretty and practical.
Sansevieria (Mother in law tongue)
This plant was identified by NASA (National American Space Agency) as one of the best air purifying plants that also removes a variety of toxins from the air. Because it releases oxygen at night, it cleans the air, which helps to reduce headaches and respiratory problems. It needs good light (near a window), minimal watering and doesn’t mind neglect.
Phalaenopsis orchids
These orchids range in size from large exotic specimens with blooms the size of saucers to petite mini’s that can adorn the dressing table. Besides its oxygenating qualities, you’ll find it soothing to be in the presence of the beautiful flowers. They prefer bright light, which is why a dressing table or bookcase near the window is ideal.
Humidifying plants
Plants that increase humidity also help to decreases the incidence of colds, sore throats and dry coughs that keep us awake at night. As part of their photosynthesis and respiratory processes, plants release moisture in the form of vapour.
Grouping two, three or more plants close together improves their effectiveness. Plants with large leaves obviously have a higher transpiration rate.
Such humidifying plants include rubber plants (Ficus elastica Robusta), palms such as the Areca, parlour palm (Chamaedorea elegans), dwarf date palm (Phoenix. roebelenii) and lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), peace lily, and spider plant.
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica Robusta)
New varieties of the Rubber plant (Ficus elastica Robusta) are more compact with variegated or coloured foliage. They thrive in bright light and do well next to windows. Water once the soil becomes dry to the touch.
Soothing fragrant plants
Fragrance has a powerful effect on our feeling of well-being by helping to reduce our stress levels. Fragrant plants for the bedroom vary throughout the year and include lavender, jasmine, gardenia, and lilies.
Lavender
What’s special about the fragrance of lavender is that it has a dual ability. If you are feeling down, lavender’s perfume lifts the spirits. Where there is anxiety and distress it is a calming, soothing balm. That is probably why so many of us feel a connection to lavender.
Place lavender where you can breathe in its fragrance at night or rub the leaves with your finger-tips. As a pot plant it is showy, tough, and does best placed where it gets bright light or filtered sun. Only water when the top of the soil in the pot feels dry.
Jasmine
Jasmine is a spring flowering plant with the most exquisite perfume that spills out of its white flowers. Its relaxing fragrance makes it a perfect bedroom plant for improving the quality of sleep. As an indoor plant, jasmine needs bright light, or some filtered sun to encourage robust growth, such as a north or east facing window. The twining growth can be trained up a small indoor trellis, allowed to tumble down from a bookcase, or woven into a circular ring. Soil needs to be moist but not soggy.
