Low Light Bedroom Plants: Are They a Good Idea?

If you are working from home, plants can not only decorate your space, but also improve your productivity and relieve stress. In another article, I talk about why millennials turn to indoor plants as part of their work-from-home lifestyle and how having just a few desk plants can be beneficial. But when it comes to having plants in the bedroom, you may be unsure how plants would affect your sleep, impact air quality, and so on. Besides, you want to find low light plants that are difficult to kill, when they are left in low light situations.

Why Low Light Bedroom Plants are a Good Idea

Low light plants are generally a great idea to have indoors, since they are hardy and difficult to kill. These plants do not require direct sunlight, even though they require light to survive just as humans do. They are generally low maintenance and time management friendly. Many of these varieties also have air-purifying qualities.

However, one of the main concerns is whether bedroom plants will affect your sleep at night.

During the day, photosynthesis occurs with sunlight and plants take in carbon dioxide. However, the reverse is true at night; plants take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. High levels of carbon dioxide in your bedroom can stimulate faster breathing while you sleep, as your body tries to access more oxygen. Hence, there is a fear that having too many bedroom plants will disrupt your breathing patterns while you sleep, thus affecting sleep quality.

The reality is that people and pets produce way more carbon dioxide than plants do. If bedroom plants are harmful, sleeping beside a partner is – by the same line of reasoning – harmful and disruptive to one’s sleep.

Thus, keep some plants in your bedroom and it is not a big deal, unless they fill up your entire room.

If you have a lot of plants in your bedroom and you are worried they may be affecting your sleep, open up your windows for good air ventilation while you sleep, and you will be just fine.

If you are worried that bedroom plants may attract pests, keep them away from your bed. Place plants on your shelves, cupboard or floor. Unlike outdoor plants, indoor plants should not attract pests if your space is clean overall. Be sure to uphold good practices of growing, watering, and inspecting your plants regularly.

There are multiple benefits of keeping plants around in your home, and certainly in your bedroom. Here are some reasons why.

1. Plants Improve Your Bedroom Air Quality

You may have heard that plants can “clean the air”. Volatile organic compounds are chemicals found in products in our home. These are chemicals found in furniture, beds, aerosol sprays, rugs and carpets, and other personal care products. They are released into the indoor air we breathe. The good news is that the less well-ventilated your living/working space is, the more effective indoor plants can be at removing volatile organic compounds in the air.

If your bedroom is an enclosed space that is not very well-ventilated, plants can help purify your indoor air to some extent. Bigger and leafier plants do this better. Here are 10 best houseplant air cleaners and the best plants include dracaenas and peace lilies.

Do note, however, that it is better to follow principles of good air ventilation than rely only on plants to do the trick.

2. Plants Leave a Calming Effect on You

One of the main reasons why plants are popular, especially amongst millennials, has to do with the calming and therapeutic effects of plants. Plants relieve stress and feelings of anxiety. They go hand in hand with the bedroom, which is a calm place where you relax and recharge. If you are a person who is regularly stressed out, starting small with a few bedroom plants can help your mood.

There are legitimate studies on the calming effects of plants. Studies found that plants in the workplace improve employees’ mood, work satisfaction, and productivity. This is because when you look at plants up close, plants stimulate the brain in ways that promote relaxation and comfort.

3. Having Plants Can Support Your Work-Life Balance

If you work from home, work-life boundaries can be difficult. Plants add an element of vibrancy to your living quarters and make it feel not like work or stress. For some, caring for plants is a productive hobby to have – even if you are not a major fan of indoor plants, spending 5-10 minutes inspecting, watering, and getting your plant sunlight can be mildly therapeutic.

Plants add a touch of green, and the color green brings balance and harmony into our walled up living quarters and bedrooms.

If you work in your bedroom, you should consider getting some plants. If your brain has strongly associated your bedroom with productivity, that mental link can disrupt your ability to rest and relax in the evenings. Use plants to lighten up the mood and vibe of your bedroom.

Best Low Light Bedroom Plants to Consider

Adjust the number of plants and where you place them in your bedroom. Observe the impacts on your sleep, mood, and productivity. You could not go wrong by starting with a few low light and low maintenance indoor plants.

Peace Lily

The peace lily is extremely popular in indoor environments, due to its aesthetic appeal and tolerance of low light. Based on NASA’s 1989 clean air study, the peace lily can neutralise a large group of air pollutants, such that it is one of the best air-purifying plants.

Moreover, the peace lily is uniquely a symbol of many good things – peace, solitude, tranquility, and prosperity to name a few. If there is a plant to keep in your bedroom or bedroom office, the peace lily should spring to mind – it serves as a daily reminder to be positive and entertain life-giving thoughts.

Snake Plant

The snake plant is unique since it is one of the few plants that converts carbon dioxide into oxygen during the nighttime. Besides, they are a visually appealing addition to your bedroom and are known to improve air quality. Better still, it requires very little watering and indirect sunlight. These reasons make the snake plant very popular and are often used as interior decor.

ZZ Plant

You probably have heard of the ZZ plant, and the irony is that it goes well with the bedroom. The ZZ plant is very popular, simply because it is a forgiving plant that is difficult to kill. While it prefers medium or bright indirect light, it tolerates low light and only needs to be watered once every 3 weeks. Like the peace lily and snake plant, ZZ plants do help to purify the air and make good bedroom additions. However, know that ZZ plants are toxic to humans and pets if ingested, so take extra precautions to keep it out of reach from children or pets at home.

Conclusion

Other than the plants mentioned in this article, there are other air purifying low light plants you can consider (here is a list), all of which are good to have in your bedroom.

Your bedroom is a space that should be optimised for rest and sleep. Plants in your bedroom can improve air quality, help promote calm, and encourage you to relax after work. Try keeping some plants in your bedroom, and observe how you appreciate your space later.

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