Contrary to what one might think, it is entirely possible to install a few green plants in your bedroom. Are some more beneficial than others? How to choose them well? And how much can we put in? We take stock with Dominique Laureau, vice-president of VALHOR, the French inter-professional association for horticulture, gardening, floristry and landscaping.
Whether you have a green thumb or not, know that it is entirely possible to breathe new life into your bedroom by installing a few plants. These will undoubtedly brighten up your space, bring a little life to it and contribute to the good oxygenation of the room. But are all green plants the same? Can they really impact our sleep ? Should we favor certain varieties ? And how many plants can you really safely accommodate in your bedroom? Insights from Dominique Laureau, vice-president of VALHOR, the French inter-professional association for horticulture, gardening, floristry and landscaping.
Is it good to sleep in a room with plants?
“Can you really sleep with plants in your bedroom? Don't they risk draining all our oxygen at night and altering the quality of our sleep ? » These two questions haunt many plant addicts . But rest assured, it is entirely possible to install plants in your bedroom and sleep soundly: you risk nothing!
In fact, the risk of hypoxia is extremely low, if not zero. “During the day, plants capture light, absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) and produce oxygen (photosynthesis). After dark, they take in oxygen to breathe and release carbon dioxide. However, the quantities are tiny and pose no danger to our health . A plant always absorbs more CO2 during the day than it releases at night,” notes Dominique Laureau.
For comparison, the person sharing your bed emits far more carbon dioxide than a plant – or even a pet! In other words, decorating your room with a few cacti, a bushy fern, an imposing Monstera deliciosa or several pothos vines will not affect your nights or your health. This even has many advantages , underlines the vice-president of VALHOR.
Decoration, feng shui, health… Why put green plants in your room?
There is not one, but several reasons that can encourage you to green your bedroom (without transforming it into a mini-jungle):
- Green plants bring a touch of nature and freshness to any space, including a bedroom. “They can bring color, texture and life to the room, which can make it more welcoming and warm,” says Dominique Laureau.
- Having plants in the bedroom can also reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve overall well-being . In fact, numerous studies prove that exposure to nature, even in the form of houseplants, can soothe the mind and body.
- According to the principles of feng shui, green plants can even promote the circulation of chi (vital energy) and create a harmonious and balanced atmosphere in the bedroom. Referring to this age-old belief, plants are often used to attract positive energies and eliminate negative energies, which can contribute to more peaceful and restful sleep.
- From an environmental perspective, houseplants help to slightly increase bedroom humidity , which can be beneficial if you live in a particularly dry region or if the air in your bedroom is often dry due to heating or air conditioning.
- And as indicated above, to a lesser extent, they allow the room to be oxygenated .
Green plants are wonderful living factories. Everyone can find what they're looking for: they come in all colors and sizes... They can take us on a journey and give a certain character to our rooms. It would be a shame to do without it! - Dominique Laureau, vice-president of VALHOR.
Are they really depolluting and purifying? How much can they improve air quality?
Many plants are now popular for their depolluting properties . In reality… No indoor plant will ever be enough to eradicate indoor pollution !
“Some work has proven conclusive, notably the famous NASA study published in 1989, but it must be understood that most of the studies were carried out in the laboratory in confined environments... Under these conditions, technically speaking, certain plants are more or less active depending on the types of air pollutants. But in real conditions, we cannot say that they have depolluting capacities and absorb infinitesimal quantities of atmospheric pollutants ,” emphasizes Dominique Laureau.
In other words, plants are nowhere near enough to purify the air in your room and remove pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene or xylene that may be present in cleaning products, furniture and electronic devices. To limit indoor pollution : ventilate your room for at least 10 minutes a day , avoid smoking, burning incense or candles, dust regularly and vacuum, use cleaning products natural and ban synthetic perfumes.
What are the best plants to put in your bedroom to sleep well?
You will have understood, there is no ideal plant to put in your bedroom to sleep better . Choose according to your preferences, your decoration, the size and brightness of your room or your lifestyle (presence of animals or children, prolonged absences, etc.).
Aloe Vera, alocasias, cactus, ficus, mother-in-law’s tongues, ivy, monstera…
All green plants have their place in a bedroom. Among the most popular (for their soothing, decorative or supposedly depolluting virtues), we generally find:
- pothos ,
- Ivy ,
- ficuses ,
- yucas ,
- cacti ,
- bonsai ,
- dracaenas
- Areca palm trees ,
- the Boston fern ,
- Sansevierias ( mother -in-law languages),
- hairy chlorophytum ( spider plant).
But as Dominique Laureau points out, you are free to opt for plants that you like more such as pileas , calatheas , monsteras , alocasias , philodendrons , etc. Without forgetting fatty and succulent plants like aloe vera or crassulas which require little maintenance.
Anthurium, jasmine, spathiphyllum (peace lily)... Beware of flowering plants!
“We more often forget it, but some popular indoor plants flower and can become very odorous or allergenic , to the point of disrupting our sleep! », warns the president of VALHOR.
If you are sensitive to odors or allergic to pollen, it is better to avoid certain plants in your bedroom, such as lavender , moonflowers ( spathiphyllum), jasmine or even African violets , which are very popular indoors.
What precautions should you take when installing green plants in your bedroom?
When choosing green plants in your bedroom, it is important to take certain precautions for your own well-being, but also for that of your plants!
- Opt for plants that tolerate the humidity and light levels in your room .
- If you don't have a green thumb, start with easy-care plants that don't require a lot of attention
- Make sure you or your roommates are not allergic to the plants you choose. Some people may be sensitive to pollen and some plants are unfortunately toxic to children or animals who are unfortunate enough to nibble on them. Find out about the properties of the plants you are considering adopting!
- Clean the leaves of your plants regularly with a damp cloth. This is because they can accumulate dust, which can affect the plants' ability to absorb light.
- At the risk of repeating ourselves, plants do not prevent indoor pollution and can influence the humidity level in your room. Therefore, ensure that your room is well ventilated to avoid any excessive accumulation of pollutants, allergens or humidity that could encourage the growth of mold.
- Avoid placing plants too close to your bed to reduce the risk of spilling water or soil, but also to avoid being disturbed by possible soil gnats that might settle there.
- Monitor your plants for signs of pests or diseases and isolate affected plants promptly to prevent problems from spreading to other plants or your room. Avoid overwatering which can cause mold and limit the use of chemicals on your plants, even in the event of an infestation. Also remember to remove dead leaves or faded flowers and repot your plants when they need it!
In conclusion, installing a few green plants in your bedroom can not only add a touch of greenery to your interior design, but also help you feel good. By choosing plants like cacti, ferns, or even climbers like pothos, you can create an environment conducive to relaxation and restful sleep . So next time you find yourself in a garden store, don't forget to add some green plants to your basket - your sleep will thank you!
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