Sleeping with Plants: What Science Says and How It Affects Your Health
When you think about sleeping with plants, placing live plants in your bedroom for potential health or air quality benefits. Also known as bedroom plants for sleep, it’s a practice that’s gone from quirky trend to common habit—with real science behind some of the claims. Many people bring houseplants into their bedrooms because they look nice, feel calming, or heard they ‘clean the air.’ But does that actually help you sleep better? Or is it just a placebo? The truth is more interesting than either myth.
One of the biggest concerns people have is whether plants steal oxygen at night. It’s a common worry, but it’s not how it works. All plants do is switch from photosynthesis (taking in CO2, releasing oxygen) during the day to respiration (taking in oxygen, releasing CO2) at night. The amount of CO2 released by even a dozen plants is tiny—far less than what one person exhales in a single breath. You’d need hundreds of plants in a sealed room to even notice a difference. So no, your snake plant isn’t suffocating you. In fact, some plants like peace lily, a common indoor plant known for low-light tolerance and air-purifying traits and snake plant, a hardy, low-maintenance plant that continues to release oxygen at night are actually recommended for bedrooms because they’re gentle on air quality and don’t need bright light.
What really matters when you’re sleeping with plants is humidity and mental calm. Plants naturally release moisture through transpiration, which can slightly increase humidity in dry rooms—helping with dry skin, sore throats, or stuffy noses. And psychologically? Studies show that having greenery nearby reduces stress and lowers heart rate. That’s why hospitals and hotels put plants in recovery rooms. It’s not magic—it’s biology and behavior working together. You’re not just decorating. You’re creating a calmer environment.
But not all plants are equal. Some, like jasmine or lavender, release scents shown in small trials to improve sleep quality. Others, like certain ferns or orchids, need high humidity and constant care—bad choices if you’re not going to water them. And if you have allergies, avoid plants that flower indoors or shed pollen. The key is picking the right ones for your space and habits.
Below, you’ll find real, practical advice from UK gardeners and indoor plant experts. You’ll learn which plants actually make a difference at night, how to avoid common mistakes that kill your plants (and your sleep), and what to do if your bedroom feels too dry or too humid. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.