Plants in Bedroom; Myths, Benefits And The Best Ones To Have
Plants in the bedroom; to have, or not to have – that is the question.
There are conflicting opinions on whether it is good or bad to have plants in the bedroom.
Such conflicts are based on two very different aspects;
- health concerns regarding the amount of Oxygen absorbed and CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) released by plants at night.
- wrong Feng-Shui energy forces released by plants in the bedroom.
plants in bedroom myths
MYTH #1 - plants are dangerous in the bedroom because they use oxygen and release carbon dioxide at night
Some people worry that plants in the bedroom can cause CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) poisoning.
This belief is based on the thought that plants absorb oxygen and release CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) at night, while we sleep.
This isn’t just a thought; it’s a fact. (Not quite as accurate, as you’ll see shortly).
However, it needs to be contextualized.
I am sure you already know that plants use sunlight, water and CO2, (Carbon Dioxide), to release Oxygen back in the air, while storing energy within its glucose molecules.
This process is called Photosynthesis, and it can be summarized as shown here;
Carbon Dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen
At night, when the sun is gone, and most people sleep, the photosynthesis process stops and goes into reverse. And that’s why people worry about having plants in the bedroom!!
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water
Even though photosynthesis stops, plants continue to respire during the night, using Oxygen in the air to break down the glucose that they created during the day, and releasing water and CO2, (Carbon Dioxide).
What is important to know about the Oxygen that plants take from the air in the bedroom at night and the Carbon Dioxide that they release in the same bedroom at night, is the actual quantity of it.
Studies have demonstrated that a human exhale from one single breath can release much more CO2, (Carbon Dioxide), than one plant releases over 8 hours in darkness.
Based on these studies, you would have to have 100 plants in your bedroom at night to match just one person’s exhale CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) emissions.
We can now say that one plant’s CO2, (Carbon Dioxide), emissions at night are minuscule compared to a person’s emissions. You should worry about the person sharing your bed emissions before worrying about plant’s CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) emissions! 😜
We put the CO2, (Carbon Dioxide) emissions to rest, but what about the Oxygen that plants are taking from the bedroom’s air at night to break down the glucose they created during the day?
Again, the amount of Oxygen that the plants use for their reverse photosynthesis is minuscule compared to the amount of Oxygen we inhale to breathe.
Besides, our bedrooms are not sealed boxes. We do have a ventilation system that provides us with fresh air.
The Myth is busted; Plants in bedrooms are not dangerous!
MYTH #2 - plants in bedroom are bad feng-shui
Feng-Shui is an ancient Chinese traditional practice that uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surroundings.
There are a dozen different Feng Shui schools with some varied teachings. Depending on the practitioner, there are conflicting opinions on whether plants in the bedroom are good or bad Feng-Shui.
Let’s see why.
Plants in Feng-Shui symbolize life energy and growth.
Plants represent the Wood element, which is one of the 5 Feng Shui elements.
Living, green plants invite the Wood energy into the bedroom. Wood energy is rejuvenating, promoting kindness and flexibility. But it also has an upward and explosive energy typical of plants’ growth. Such energy in the bedroom may not be ideal for sensitive and restless people.
This is why some Feng-Shui practitioners discourage having plants in the bedroom.
However, plants have so many benefits that, if placed in strategic areas of the bedroom, they can still harvest the right energy, even for those sensitive and restless personalities.
How do you know where to place plants to harvest the right energy?
By using the Bagua Map, which is the Feng Shui energy map.
Bagua in Chinese means eight areas.
There are two types of Bagua Maps;
- an octagon shaped map with 8 compass directions, which is used by Classical Feng-Shui.
- a nine grid square map, which is used by The Black Hat Feng Shui, (BTB). This particular grid is based on the traditional Feng-Shui Lo Shu Square, which is a numerology grid.
When it comes to overlaying a Bagua Map to the layout of a home, a classical practitioner, would overlay the Bagua Map based on the compass directions of the home in order to determine the location of different energy areas.
A BTB Feng-Shui practitioner wouldn’t use compass directions, but would simply place the nine square grid map on the floor plan the same way for every home, regardless of compass directions.
For the sake of this blog, (and simplicity), I’ve shown below a bedroom layout with a 9 grid square Bagua Map.
If you observe Feng-Shui practices and want plants in your bedroom, simply follow these steps;
- stand in the bedroom doorway, facing in.
- align the bottom of the 9 grid square Bagua Map with your bedroom door, (depending on where your door is located along the wall, it may fall into the Knowledge Area, Career Area, or the Helpful People Area).
- place a plant, (or more) in those energy areas that you would like to enhance the most. (Some plants have particular meanings in Feng-Shui and are associated to particular areas of the Bagua. Click here to read my blog on Feng-Shui Plants!).
Myth Busted; As you can see, if properly placed, and chosen, plants in bedroom are not bad Feng-Shui!
Photo Credit: Morris Feng Shui
Let’s pretend you want to improve your relationship with your spouse. Based on this bedroom layout, you would place an Orchid on the right hand night stand, which falls into the Love/Marriage Energy Area. Orchids are well known for boosting serenity and love!
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plants in bedroom benefits
Now that we’ve busted the myths that go against having plants in bedroom, let’s go to the extent of learning what are the benefits of having plants in bedroom.
Plants have many benefits, and I dedicated an entire blog to the Benefits of Plants.
Such benefits apply to any room of the home, including the bedroom.
- Many houseplants are excellent air purifiers. They absorb toxic substances from the surrounding air, such as; formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene.
- A good amount of houseplants in a room increase humidity levels, which can be beneficial for certain dry homes.
- Plants can boost our mental health, by improving our mood, decreasing stress and mental fatigue, increasing relaxation and self-esteem, as well as boosting our compassion.
- As a consequence, plants can support our immune system by increasing sleep, decreasing fatigue, reducing sore throats and colds.
Not bad, uh?
Are you still doubting having plants in bedroom?
the best plants to have in your bedroom
We’ve finally shed some light on the myths and benefits of having plants in bedroom.
We know the reasons behind the skepticism, and what the benefits are.
Can the benefits outweigh the (not so valid) cons?
If your answer is yes! here’s a list of the best plants I recommend for bedrooms.
The list is based on the plants’ ease of maintenance, symbolism and needs.
You see, when choosing plants for bedrooms, (or for any space for that matter), you really need to keep in mind the type of room you are dealing with, vs. the plants’ needs.
Perhaps, your room doesn’t have much light. It wouldn’t be wise to pick a plant that thrives in bright light.
Or maybe, your room is quite small. It wouldn’t make sense picking a plant that grows huge in very short time.
You also need to consider your lifestyle and how much time you want or have to dedicate to plants. It wouldn’t make sense to pick a plant that requires a lot of maintenance if you can barely keep up with your schedule.
The plants I listed in this blog are all relatively low maintenance and have their own special trait you can take advantage of; some are air purifying, some are non-toxic for pets, and others are perfect Feng-Shui plants.
Pay attention to your needs and those of your bedroom.
1. peace lily, (spathiphyllum)
The Peace Lily is a wonderful plant to have in the bedroom.
Not only it’s a wonderful Air Purifying Plant, helping remove benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the surrounding air; it is also a meaningful Feng-Shui Plant.
The Peace Lily purifies the living space air and corrects energetic imbalances.
Over-watering this plant is more damaging than under-watering it. The best time to water the Peace Lily is when the first inch of top soil feels dry to the touch.
The best part of this plant is that it will tell you when it’s time to water it, by drooping all its leaves. Letting the plant droop its leaves is not damaging, as long as you are quick to react to its needs and water it. Don’t let the leaves droop for over two days.
In order to prevent brown tips, water it and mist it regularly with distilled water.
If you have young children and pets, you may want to consider a spot that is out of reach, as this is one of the Poisonous Plants Children and Pets Should Avoid.
Peace Lily in bloom.
Variegated version of Peace Lily called Peace Lily Domino.
2. english ivy, (hedera helix)
The English Ivy is a dainty plant to have in one’s bedroom.
It grows fast into a beautiful trailing plant that can be hung from a nice wall hanger or simply let trail from a high shelf or armoire.
This too, is a great Air Purifying Plant, that helps remove formaldehyde from the surrounding air.
In Feng Shui tradition, the English Ivy’s gently spiked leaves represent protection against negativity, and for this reason, it can be placed in any Bagua area of your bedroom.
It tolerates low light conditions, but it thrives in bright, indirect light, especially when variegated.
The English Ivy is also a Poisonous Indoor Plants That Children and Pets Should Avoid.
Young English Ivy sitting on a table.
The same Ivy a year later, trailing from a wall hanger.
3. snake plant, (dracaena Trifasciata)
Another Air Purifying Plant, that helps remove benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the surrounding air, the Snake Plant is also an Impossible to Kill Plant!
The beautiful thing about the Snake Plant is that, not only there are many varieties to suit everyone’s different personal taste, but it comes in different sizes! This means, it can be placed in small or big rooms; on shelves or on the floor.
The Snake Plant is very adaptable and can thrive in bright, indirect light areas, as well as in areas with moderate light conditions, in-fact, this is an ideal Low Light Indoor Plant.
It requires very little watering; it is actually important to let the soil dry out between waterings. I water mine every two to three weeks.
It adapts to any humidity condition your home may have.
This big Silver Queen Snake Plant is perfect for any empty bedroom corners.
This smaller variety of Snake Plant called Starfish Snake Plant, is great for night stands or dressers, as well as shelves or console tables in any bedroom.
4. heartleaf philodendron, (philodendron hederaceum)
The Heartleaf Philodendron is a beautiful, low maintenance and fast growing trailing Plant That Is Ideal For Beginners.
And you’ve guessed it!
It’s another Air Purifying Plant!
It helps remove formaldehyde from the surrounding air.
This fast growing plant can adapt to different levels of light; from moderate to bright, indirect. As long as it avoids direct light exposure.
Water your Philodendron once 50% of the soil feels dry to the touch.
Depending on how much light it receives, its watering needs may change. This plant is quite forgiving if you forget to water it once or twice…
Lush Heartleaf Philodendron.
As you can see I clustered all my plants into one corner of my bedroom; ZZ Plant, Snake Plant and Heartleaf Philodendron.
5. spider plant, (chlorophytum comosum)
The Spider Plant has several benefits that make it a great plant for bedrooms.
To start with, it’s a great Air Purifying Plant, that helps remove formaldehyde and xylene from the surrounding air.
It is a Low Maintenance Plant that adapts really well to all light conditions, as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
It needs to thoroughly dry out between waterings. Depending on how much light it receives, it needs to be watered every 10 days to two weeks.
As it matures, the plant grows long, trailing stems, at the end of which spiderettes are formed. Spiderettes are nothing but baby plants that can be propagated into new plants, or let grow on the mother plant as a trailing plant.
Another benefit of having a Spider Plant is that it’a Non-Toxic Plant Safe For Children and Pets.
6. devil's ivy, (Epipremnum aureum)
The Marble Queen Pothos is one of my favourite plants.
Not only it’s beautiful and incredibly easy to propagate, and can grow in water, but it is also an Impossible to Kill Plant!
It adapts to different light conditions, but it thrives in bright, indirect light. Its variegation and beautiful contrasts comes to life in bright light. Just make sure it’s not direct sunlight, or its leaves will bleach.
I keep mine by a North facing window so I water it once a week, but it can be watered every two weeks, if it is exposed to less light.
This plant is very forgiving if you forget to water it…
The only disadvantage of the Marble Queen Pothos is that it is a Poisonous Indoor Plant for Children and Pets. Since it grows fast and its long, trailing stem can easily touch the floor, make sure you keep it out of little hands and pets reach.
7. Rubber plant, (Ficus Elastica)
Rubber Plants are associated with Abundance and Wealth.
This is not just an easy plant to keep alive; it’s one of the most beautiful Feng-Shui Plants to have.
It come is different sizes and colours and it’s relatively easy to care for.
The Rubber Plant thrives in bright, indirect light conditions. Lower light conditions will reduce the intensity of the leaves colours or its variegation if you have a variegated one.
Water it only when the first one inch of top soil is dry to the touch. At that time water it throughly, making sure that all the water has drained out and whatever water is left at the bottom of the saucer is tossed.
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