Indoor air quality is crucial, especially in bedrooms where we spend a significant amount of time. Poor air circulation can lead to a buildup of pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and other toxins.
One natural way to improve indoor air is by adding houseplants. Certain plants can absorb these pollutants and release clean oxygen, creating a healthier environment.
Beyond their potential air-purifying properties, indoor plants bring a sense of calm and well-being, turning your bedroom into a more peaceful and inviting space. This small change can have a big impact on your overall health and comfort.
How Do Air-Purifying Houseplants Work?
Air-purifying plants work by absorbing pollutants like carbon dioxide and toxins through their leaves and roots, helping to filter the air around them. They then release oxygen, which can contribute to fresher, cleaner air in your home.
Studies have shown that houseplants can reduce levels of indoor pollutants and help promote a healthier living space, which is especially important for seniors who may spend more time indoors.
Houseplants also offer aesthetic appeal and emotional wellness. Research also suggests that visible greenery within the home can greatly benefit our mental and emotional well-being, making it a wonderful addition to any bedroom or living space.
Many seniors find comfort and joy in caring for plants, and their presence can help reduce feelings of stress or loneliness. Plants like peace lilies or snake plants are low-maintenance, making them easy to care for while enhancing your living environment.
15 Bedroom Plants That Can Purify the Air
Adding air-purifying plants to your bedroom can bring numerous benefits, from improving air quality to creating a more serene atmosphere.
Below are some of the best plants to consider.
1. Peace Lily — A Stylish, Low-Light Air Purifier
The peace lily is well-known for its air-purifying capabilities. It thrives in low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms with less natural light.
With its graceful white flowers, the peace lily adds beauty while working to filter toxins from the air. For those new to plant care, it’s a great option due to its low-maintenance nature and significant air quality benefits.
2. Snake Plant (Sansevieria) — The Bedroom Essential for Beginners
The snake plant, or sansevieria, is a hardy option that thrives in lower light and is incredibly easy to care for. It’s known for absorbing toxins, including carbon dioxide, even in indirect light or low-light conditions. This makes it perfect for those who want an air-purifying plant but don’t have a green thumb. Its sleek appearance adds a modern touch to your bedroom.
3. English Ivy — A Classic Air-Purifying Vine for Bedroom Spaces
English ivy is a popular choice for purifying the air and removing pollutants. It works well as a hanging basket plant, adding visual interest to your bedroom.
English ivy thrives in indirect sunlight and can also tolerate low-light conditions, making it versatile for different rooms. Its cascading vines offer both aesthetic appeal and health benefits, making it a timeless option for any bedroom.
4. Aloe Vera — Dual-Purpose Plant for Health and Air Quality
Aloe vera is widely known for its healing properties, particularly for skin care. Beyond its health benefits, aloe vera also purifies the air.
This succulent thrives in bright light, making it ideal for bedrooms with sunny spots. Its low-maintenance nature means you can enjoy its greenery and air-purifying qualities without much effort. Aloe vera is a versatile addition to any home.
5. Pothos — The Resilient, Low-Light Champion
Pothos is a resilient indoor plant known for thriving in a variety of light conditions, including low light. It’s a favorite for those who want a low-maintenance plant that purifies the air and adds greenery to any space. With its cascading vines, pothos is perfect for bedrooms, bringing a touch of nature that’s both beautiful and functional.
6. Spider Plant — A Low-Maintenance Option for Hanging Baskets
The spider plant is one of the best air-purifying plants available, known for removing toxins and improving air quality. It’s perfect for hanging baskets or small spaces, as its long, arching leaves add a lively touch to any room. Spider plants thrive in indirect light and are easy to care for, making them a great option for beginners.
7. Dracaena — Tall and Eye-Catching Bedroom Greenery
Dracaena is a tall plant with striking variegated green leaves that add a bold statement to any bedroom. It’s a powerful air purifier and relatively easy to care for.
Dracaena can thrive in both lower light and bright indirect sunlight, making it a versatile option for different rooms. Its eye-catching appearance adds a touch of elegance while improving air quality.
8. Philodendron — The Heart-Leafed Houseplant That Loves Low Light
Philodendron is known for its heart-shaped leaves and thrives in low-light conditions, making it ideal for bedrooms. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an easy plant to care for, while its air-purifying qualities ensure a healthier living space. If you want a lush, tropical look with minimal effort, philodendron is a great choice.
9. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) — Low Light, High Impact
The Chinese evergreen is a popular plant for low-light rooms, particularly bedrooms. Its shiny leaves help purify the air while adding a touch of elegance to your space. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for those who want an attractive, air-purifying plant that requires little care. It thrives in lower light, making it an ideal bedroom companion.
10. Boston Fern — A Lush Addition to Your Air-Purifying Arsenal
The Boston fern is highly effective at removing pollutants from the air while adding moisture to dry indoor environments. Its lush, green leaves thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, making it a perfect addition to bedrooms. With its vibrant greenery, the Boston fern enhances air quality and overall room ambiance.
11. Monstera – Bold and Air-Purifying for Modern Bedrooms
Monstera’s large, perforated leaves make a bold, eye-catching statement in any bedroom. This plant is not just about looks—it helps filter pollutants and increase oxygen, improving air quality. Monstera thrives in indirect light, making it ideal for well-lit spaces that need a stylish, air-purifying boost.
12. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica) – A Striking Statement Plant for Cleaner Air
The rubber plant is known for its large, shiny leaves and exceptional air-purifying capabilities. It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires minimal care, making it an easy yet stylish addition to your bedroom. Its bold appearance helps create a modern, cleaner living space.
13. ZZ Plant — The Nearly Indestructible Bedroom Plant
The ZZ plant is perfect for anyone who wants a low-maintenance plant that thrives in low light and requires little water. Known for improving indoor air quality by removing pollutants, it’s ideal for beginners or those with busy schedules who still want an attractive and beneficial plant.
14. Areca Palm — Tall, Tropical, and Purifying (50 words)
The Areca palm is a tall, air-purifying plant that removes toxins, including carbon dioxide, from the air. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, adding a tropical feel to your bedroom. This plant is ideal for filling empty corner spaces while also enhancing air quality.
15. Anthurium — The Elegant Flowering Plant for Bedroom Air Quality
Anthurium is known for its elegant red or white flowers, and its ability to purify the air makes it a great addition to any bedroom. Thriving in indirect light, this flowering plant brings both beauty and clean air to your space, though it requires a bit more attention than others.
Other Ways To Create a Healthy Sleep Environment
These popular houseplants can help set a relaxing mood in your room and contribute to a healthier sleep environment by reducing indoor pollutants. To make the most of your bedroom as you age gracefully in place, consider adding other elements that promote comfort and safety.
For example, dimmable lighting or motion-sensor night lights are excellent for when you need to get up at night, minimizing disruptions to your sleep. Noise machines can also help create a calm atmosphere.
A comfortable mattress and adjustable bed is another fantastic addition to your sleep space, providing the support and flexibility to suit your personal sleeping needs. At Transfer Master, we design home hospital beds that are both functional and stylish, blending seamlessly into your space. Whether paired with your favorite houseplants or other bedroom decor, our beds are designed to keep you comfortable and independent.
The Bottom Line
Air-purifying plants offer more than just beauty—they improve indoor air quality, promote well-being, and create a calm, inviting bedroom environment. Low-maintenance plants like those we’ve listed are perfect for reducing pollutants and adding a touch of nature to your space with minimal effort.
As you age gracefully in the comfort of your own home, incorporating plants suited to your bedroom’s light conditions can help you feel more at ease and refreshed. Start your green thumb journey today by selecting a new plant that fits your home’s needs, and enjoy the benefits of cleaner air and a more tranquil sleep space.
Sources:
Effects of indoor plants on air quality: a systematic review | PubMed
Your Houseplants Have Some Powerful Health Benefits | Time
0344 Use of an Adjustable Bed Base Improves Sleep Quality and Duration | SLEEP | Oxford Academic
