The 14 Best Plants for Bedrooms

The broad, glossy leaves of Ficus Elastica will add so much modern appeal to your bedroom. Rubber plants were part of the original NASA study and are among the most attractive plants that clean the air. While they can grow over 98 feet tall in the wild, decorative Rubber plants usually don’t reach over eight feet.

This hardy plant requires a moderate amount of light (avoid direct sunlight), moisture (don’t overwater!), humidity and well-aerated soil. Wipe the dust from the leaves with a soft sponge or cloth to keep its foliage looking shiny.

This lush house plant (Aglaonema commutatum) is incredibly durable and removes benzene (emitted by furniture and heating sources) and formaldehyde from the air. Its leaves develop beautiful green patches and can reach up to a foot in length. The Chinese Evergreen will thrive in a bedroom with a medium amount of natural light and a high humidity level — preferably above 75%. Alternatively, you can place yours near a humidifier. Just remember to keep the bedroom temperature above 65–70°F.

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens can grow up to seven feet. It needs plenty of direct sunlight, so if you have an oversized window, place the palm nearby. This Madagascar-native plant loves water, but doesn’t like sitting in overly damp soil. So — make sure you provide it with good drainage. In addition to being one of the best plants for air purification (it breaks down acetone, xylene, formaldehyde and toluene, according to NASA), it also improves the humidity level in the room. The Areca Palm is a pet-safe plant that produces its own oxygen.

And last but not least, its fan-like leaves will add a chic, tropical vibe to your bedroom.

With its delicate purple flowers and aromatic leaves, Lavandula angustifolia will transport you to the South of France every time you look at it. Its sweet scent helps reduce stress, anxiety and promotes a good night’s sleep.

This small Mediterranean shrub loves sunlight and rocky, well-drained soil. It’s a hardy plant that doesn’t need much water and prefers a low-humidity climate. Keep it away from vents that blow cold air, and try to maintain a slightly lower temperature in the room during the night.

Also known as Devil’s Ivy, the Epipremnum aureum is an excellent air-purifying indoor plant that filters out multiple toxic compounds. The Golden Pothos is a vine plant, so when it comes to hanging bedroom plant ideas, this is the perfect choice. It’s an easy plant to grow that can survive in low-light conditions and cool temperatures. In addition to being on the low-maintenance side, it’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to style. You can hang a couple of plants above the bed for a whimsical look, or place it on a table and let its heart-shaped leaves cascade down toward the floor. This simple care needs make this a great plant to consider for a spare or guest bedroom as well. 

Native to the tropics, the Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is one of the best plants for a bedroom. The reason? It’s simply beautiful, affordable and a breeze to grow. If you’re a first-time plant owner, this is an easy, hardy choice. You can keep it in a low-lit bedroom, and if you forget to water it, it’ll still look as lush as ever. Chamaedorea Elegans also purifies the air of various toxic compounds (ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene).

Want more info on the best plants for a bedroom? See our guide to indoor plants.

A few factors make Sansevieria trifasciata a popular choice for a bedroom plant. First, this perennial’s bold look — tall, sharp leaves sporting a wavy pattern and yellow edges — is a favorite with interior designers. Second, a Snake plant is hard to kill. They can handle direct sunlight and low light conditions, don’t require frequent watering and tolerate a wide temperature range (55-85°F). Third of all, it is one of the most effective air-purifying plants. And lastly, Snake plants produce oxygen during the night and absorb carbon dioxide.

This African tropical tree found its way into homes more than two hundred years ago. It looks like a palm and has a thick stem with long, bright green leaves. The Dracaena fragrans usually reaches about four to six feet in height, and is one of the best plants for a bedroom, because it filters out many air pollutants. It’s also one of the original plant species that NASA recommended for air-purifying.

Moderation is vital with this species of Dracaena. It can tolerate a high degree of sunlight, as long as the beams don’t fall directly on its leaves.

This beginner-friendly plant has distinct fronds that can reach up to five feet long, so it’s another excellent option for a hanging plant in the bedroom. It thrives in a high moisture environment and can also do well in high light and water conditions. NASA recommends this plant for its air-purifying qualities, especially for smokers, as it can suck cigarette smoke from the air. The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is also non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a great plant option for households with pets.

If you’d like to add a pop of color to your bedroom in addition to improving air quality, then the beautiful Barberton Daisy is the way to go. This bedroom flower comes in an array of shades, so you can add a few of these plants for an explosion of color. The great thing about the Gebera Jamesonii is that it can bloom multiple times a year. Care-wise, this perennial loves direct sunlight. Make sure its soil is always moist, and it will regularly reward you with its brightly-hued daisies.

You’ve probably seen English Ivy (Hedera helix) outdoors many times, but this perennial vine also makes a beautiful indoor plant for a bedroom. NASA ranks it as one of the best plants for bedroom oxygen as well as air purification. Interior design enthusiasts love it for the whimsical look it lends when hung from the ceiling. English Ivy can grow up to nine feet per year if you take good care of it. Fortunately, taking proper care of this bedroom champion is not at all difficult. Hedera helix is an excellent example of a low-light bedroom plant, as it loves moderate-to-full shade. This leafy perennial is hardy enough to survive low temperatures and doesn’t need a lot of water to thrive.

The beautiful and lush Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa' is an evergreen bedroom plant that produces gorgeous white blooms. It also purifies the air from toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia.

Surprisingly, these beauties require little-to-no care. They tolerate low-to-medium light conditions but can also survive if you place them in direct sunlight. You’ll only need to water this tough little plant when its soil is dry. Finally, unless you consistently keep it at a very low temperature, you should be able to enjoy its magnificent blooms for a long time to come.

The Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a popular indoor plant that removes airborne toxins and makes oxygen, creating a healthier and safer sleep environment. It’s a carefree plant that first-time plant owners will find extremely easy to grow. It will thrive at pretty much any humidity level and temperature. The Lady Palm loves bright but not direct sunlight and needs constantly-moist soil to perform best.

Dracaena marginata sports narrow and pointy green leaves with red or pink tops. This perennial is pretty much indestructible, as it tolerates any amount of sunlight. And if you forget to water it for a few days, it’ll still look fresh and vibrantly green.

The Dragon Tree will add plenty of texture and color to your bedroom decor. If you place a few of these plants next to the window, you’ll enjoy a fair amount of privacy even with the curtains open, thanks to the plant’s lush crown. It’s especially good at purifying the air of formaldehyde.

Want to create a relaxing green space? Parachute’s stylists can help you narrow down your choices and provide pro tips on the best plants to hang above the bed or what style on surfaces. We offer complimentary styling consultations with an expert decorator who can assist you in turning your bedroom into a nature-filled sanctuary.

To take advantage, simply book a free one-on-one video or phone consultation online. Once your appointment is over, your stylist will email you a lookbook with more personalized tips.

And if you’d like to read more tips on styling your plants now, check out our post 5 Ways to Style Your Plants, With Léon & George