Nowadays, sleep problems are prevalent among modern people due to various reasons such as life stress. Some people may not have severe insomnia, but they sleep poorly, dream easily, and wake up feeling exhausted.
The air quality in the bedroom has a great impact on sleep, and you can only sleep peacefully if the air is good. Here, I will recommend a few plants that can purify the air and help you sleep.
The first thing to note is that most plants are not suitable for the bedroom. This is because most plants produce and release oxygen during photosynthesis during the day, and respire at night, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. If you put these plants in your bedroom, not only will they not help you sleep, but they will compete with humans for oxygen at night and interfere with normal sleep.
However, there are two types of plants that can be kept in the bedroom:
1. Cacti and sedum
Cacti and sedum plants are mostly native to desert or plateau areas, and this environment gives them a unique physiological structure. In the desert, the sun is scorching during the day, and in order to prevent water loss, cacti close their stomata and store oxygen in their bodies. When the temperature is cooler at night, the cactus opens its stomata to release stored oxygen. Many sedum plants can also release oxygen at night, on a similar basis.
Therefore, unlike other plants, cacti and sedum plants are able to release oxygen at night and play a role in aiding sleep. (There are also varieties in other plant families that release oxygen at night, which we will also mention below.)
2. Aromatic sleep-aiding plants
Excessively scented flowers are often not suitable in the bedroom, as too strong aromas can irritate the nasal passages and make it difficult to fall asleep. However, depending on the variety, the aroma of some flowers and plants will not be exciting, but has a soothing effect, and this kind of herb can be placed in the bedroom.
Among them is the saxifer's tail, which has many varieties such as Phnom Penh saxifer's tail, short-leaved saxifer's orchid, column-leaved saxifer's tail, etc. The leaves of the saxifera orchid are firm and erect, and the surface is covered with markings like the fur of an old beard, hence the name. The fleshy stems of the saxifera orchid have tiny pores that close during the day and open and release oxygen at night, increasing the oxygen content in the bedroom and helping to sleep. In addition, tiger tail orchid also has a good air purification effect, which can effectively absorb harmful substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, and heavy metal particles. Place 2~3 pots of saxifrage orchid in a bedroom of about 15 square meters, which can absorb 80% of toxic gases.
Another aromatic sleep-aiding plant is lavender. Lavender has calming and stress-relieving properties that can make you fall asleep quickly. In addition to the strong aroma of the flowers, the leaves of lavender can also give off a faint fragrance, and even potted lavender plants that do not bloom can have a sleep-aiding effect.
The maintenance methods for these plants are as follows:
- Saxivie: Likes sunlight and can tolerate semi-shade. The suitable growth temperature is 20~30 degrees Celsius. Very drought tolerant, it is necessary to wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. Proper shade can be given in summer. In winter, when it is lower than 10 degrees Celsius, it needs to be moved back indoors for thermal maintenance.
- Lavender: Suitable for neutral, silica-rich sandy soils. I don't like dampness and need plenty of light. The most suitable growth temperature is 15~30 degrees Celsius, and it is not resistant to cold. Drought tolerant, need to wait for the potting soil to dry before watering.
Of course, these are just some of the plants that are suitable for the bedroom. Choosing which plant to place also needs to be decided according to your preferences and environmental conditions. It is worth mentioning that both cacti and aromatic plants need proper light and maintenance to maintain good growth. Hopefully, this information will help you improve your sleep quality and enjoy a better night's sleep.