Are Plants in the Bedroom Good or Bad? The 2025 Science-Backed Answer
Every year, thousands of people Google “plants in the bedroom good or bad” and “is it bad to have plants in your bedroom” because of one persistent myth: plants steal your oxygen at night and hurt sleep. In 2025, that myth is more outdated than ever.
Here’s the truth, backed by NASA research and the latest sleep studies.
1. Best Plants for Bedroom (2025 Top Picks)
These are the most searched-for and most effective bedroom plants right now:
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Snake Plant (the #1 most Googled bedroom plant worldwide)
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Peace Lily
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ZZ Plant
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Pothos
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Spider Plant
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Philodendron
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Lavender (for scent + calm)
2. Do Plants in Bedroom Help Sleep?
Yes — and the evidence is stronger than ever.
A 2024 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who keep plants in the bedroom report:
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18% faster sleep onset
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22% fewer night wakings
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Higher overall sleep quality scores
Lavender and jasmine were especially powerful thanks to their proven aromatherapy effects.
3. Snake Plant in Bedroom: Why It’s Still King
The snake plant is one of the few houseplants that releases oxygen at night (thanks to CAM photosynthesis). It also ranks #1 in NASA’s Clean Air Study for removing benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
4. Plants That Release Oxygen at Night
Only a handful do this reliably:
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Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)
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Aloe Vera
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Orchid
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Christmas Cactus
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Bromeliads
Perfect if you’re worried about the old “plants in bedroom myth.”
5. Bedroom Plants Low Light Winners
Most bedrooms don’t get much sun. These thrive anyway:
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ZZ Plant (almost unkillable)
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Snake Plant
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Pothos
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Heartleaf Philodendron
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Cast Iron Plant
6. Air Purifying Plants Bedroom (NASA-Approved)
Still the gold standard list in 2025:
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Peace Lily
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Snake Plant
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Spider Plant
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English Ivy
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Boston Fern
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Areca Palm
One medium plant per 100 sq ft noticeably reduces VOCs.
7. Pet Safe Bedroom Plants
If you have cats or dogs, stick to these non-toxic beauties:
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Spider Plant
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Areca Palm
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Boston Fern
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Calathea
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Parlor Palm
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Peperomia
8. Plants in Bedroom Feng Shui & Vastu Tips
Both traditions actually encourage bedroom plants when chosen correctly:
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Round-leaf plants (pothos, peperomia) = gentle energy
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Avoid spiky plants (cactus) or dying leaves
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Place in the east or northeast corner for best energy flow
9. Peace Lily in Bedroom
The second-most popular bedroom plant worldwide. It’s beautiful, removes ammonia and acetone, and droops dramatically when thirsty — the perfect “tell me when to water” plant.
| Plant | Light Needed | Air-Purifying | Releases O₂ at Night | Pet-Safe? | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Very low | ★★★★★ | Yes | No | Beginner |
| ZZ Plant | Very low | ★★★★ | No | No | Beginner |
| Peace Lily | Low–medium | ★★★★★ | No | No | Easy |
| Pothos (Golden/Neon) | Low | ★★★★ | No | No | Beginner |
| Philodendron (Heartleaf) | Low | ★★★★ | No | No | Beginner |
| Spider Plant | Low–bright | ★★★★★ | No | Yes | Easy |
| Areca Palm | Medium–bright | ★★★★★ | No | Yes | Moderate |
| Lavender | Bright | ★★★ (scent) | No | Yes | Moderate |
| Jasmine | Bright | ★★★ (scent) | No | Yes | Moderate |
10. How Many Plants in Bedroom Are Ideal?
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For air purification: 1 plant per 10 m² (100 sq ft)
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For sleep & mood benefits: 2–6 plants in an average bedroom
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For full urban-jungle aesthetic: as many as you can fit without blocking airflow
Final 2025 Verdict on Plants in the Bedroom
Yes — plants in the bedroom are overwhelmingly beneficial for sleep, air quality, humidity, and mental health. The old oxygen myth has been debunked for decades. Choose low-maintenance, low-light-tolerant varieties (snake plant, ZZ, pothos, peace lily) and enjoy your urban jungle bedroom guilt-free.
Your lungs (and your Instagram feed) will thank you.
Happy planting! 🌿
