Bedroom plants: which ones to choose, where to place them, and how to care for them

Choosing plants to keep in the bedroom means considering three things: how much light enters the room, how much space you have, and how much time you want to devote to their care. The most suitable species are those that thrive in indirect light and with infrequent watering, such as Sansevieria (Dracaena trifasciata), Hoya (Hoya kerrii), Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Sansevierias are among the plants our growers most often recommend for the bedroom because they tolerate low light and require very little water.

In this guide, you will find bedroom plants selected by our growers, along with each one's essential care, criteria for choosing them, where to place them, and how to deal with the most common problems. We also discuss the old idea that plants «steal oxygen» at night. If you are interested in what has been verified about plants and sleep, read the in-depth article plants in the bedroom and sleep: what science says.

Why keep plants in the bedroom

Keeping plants in the bedroom makes the room more welcoming and gives you a small daily care ritual. Greenery helps many people feel more relaxed, but plants are not a treatment for sleep: choose species suited to the light and care for them properly.

The presence of greenery indoors is associated with a feeling of calm, and the bedroom is the room where you seek it most. A simple gesture such as checking the soil in the evening or dusting the leaves can become part of your bedtime ritual. Do not expect measurable effects on sleep: the most tangible benefit is living in a more pleasant space that feels more like your own.

Humidity and air: what to really expect

Plants release water vapor through their leaves and can make the room's air slightly less dry, especially when heating or air conditioning dries it out. The effect depends on the number of plants and how often you air the room.

Many houseplants are known to absorb volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde and benzene in laboratory tests, released by furniture, paints, fabrics, and cleaning products. However, those tests were conducted in sealed chambers: in a real home, where air is constantly exchanged, the effect of a few plants is much smaller. So when you hear about air-purifying plants for the bedroom, consider the effect on the air a small bonus, not the main reason for choosing them.

Do plants steal oxygen at night?

This is a widespread but unfounded belief. At night, without light, plants do not photosynthesize and respire, using a small amount of oxygen: for two or three plants in a bedroom, the amount is minimal, less than that used by a person or animal sleeping in the same room.

Some species, such as Sansevieria and Aloe (Aloe vera), have a metabolism known as CAM: they open their stomata at night and absorb carbon dioxide, so they lose less water during the day. For this reason, they are often described as "plants that produce oxygen at night", although the effect in a room remains modest. You can find what has and has not been proven in the guide to plants in the bedroom, sleep, and science.

The best plants to keep in the bedroom

The plants best suited to the bedroom are those that thrive in indirect light and need little care: Sansevieria, Pothos, Hoya, Beaucarnea, Philodendron Birkin, Calathea, and Spathiphyllum. If you have a very bright window, you can also add Aloe and Lavender.

Every species has different needs: below, you'll find the essential care instructions for each one and, at the end, a table for comparing them at a glance.

Snake Plant

Sansevieria is the plant our growers most often recommend for the bedroom. It tolerates low-light areas, although it grows better in indirect light, and has upright, sculptural leaves that take up little space. Water it only when the potting soil is completely dry, generally every 2-4 weeks depending on the season, and always avoid waterlogging.

Compact varieties, such as a small 'Laurentii' or 'Swasdii', look good on a bedside table or chest of drawers; tall specimens fill a corner of the room. For detailed care instructions, read the Sansevieria care guide.

Pothos

Pothos has heart-shaped leaves and a trailing habit: it is ideal hanging from the ceiling, on a high shelf, or above a bookcase, where it adds greenery without taking up floor space. It prefers indirect light but also grows well in partial shade. Water it when the potting soil begins to dry out: it tolerates short periods of drought. Learn more in the complete Pothos guide.

Hoya and Beaucarnea

Hoya kerrii is a small plant that does not take up much space: for this reason, it is a good choice for the bedside table, next to a compact Sansevieria. For light, watering, and Hoya flowering, consult the Hoya care guide.

Beaucarnea, also known as ponytail palm, has a swollen trunk at the base and long, slender leaves that cascade like a fountain. It looks best in a corner of the room, perhaps opposite the bed, where it creates a striking effect. For the same role, you can choose a Strelitzia (Strelitzia) if the room is large enough.

Philodendron Birkin and Calathea

Philodendron Birkin (Philodendron 'Birkin') and Calathea Sanderiana (Calathea ornata 'Sanderiana') are especially appreciated for the beauty of their leaves. Calathea is also called a prayer plant because in the evening it raises and closes its leaves, a movement that makes the room feel even more alive. For light, water, and humidity, follow the Calathea growing guide.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), also known as the peace lily, has dark green leaves and white flowers. It needs indirect light, constantly moist but not soggy soil, and regular misting of the leaves: place it in a bright corner of the bedroom, away from direct sunlight. You can find more tips in the Peace Lily guide.

Aloe and Lavender, only with plenty of light

Aloe is a succulent that loves bright light: keep it on the windowsill or in the brightest spot in the room and water it thoroughly but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Lavender (Lavandula) is not a classic houseplant: in a pot, it can stay in the bedroom only on a south-facing windowsill, with at least 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day and moderate watering. Many people like its fragrance, but if you are sensitive to smells, choose a species without fragrant flowers.

Other species and comparison table

If you have suitable space and light, you can also keep a Dracaena (Dracaena), a Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina), English Ivy (Hedera helix), an Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens), or a Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) in the bedroom. Areca Palms and Boston Ferns love humidity and frequent misting; Dracaenas and Weeping Figs suffer from drafts, and Weeping Figs also dislike being moved.

Light, water, and placement of bedroom plants

Plant	Light	Water	Where to place it
Snake Plant	Indirect, tolerates low light	Only when the soil is completely dry	Bedside table, chest of drawers, or corner
Pothos	Indirect, also tolerates low light	When the soil starts to dry out	Hanging or on a high shelf
Peace Lily	Indirect	Moist but not soggy soil	Bright corner, without direct sunlight
Aloe	Bright	Abundant but infrequent	Windowsill
Dracaena	Indirect and bright	Slightly moist soil, no waterlogging	Bright corner, away from drafts
Weeping Fig	Bright but indirect	Regular, moist soil	Bright, sheltered spot
English Ivy	Indirect, tolerates low light	Moist soil	Hanging, on a shelf, or on a stand
Areca Palm	Indirect and bright	Soil constantly moist	Spacious, bright corner
Boston Fern	Indirect, humid environment	Soil always moist, frequent misting	Hanging basket or pedestal
Lavender	Direct sunlight, at least 3-4 hours	Moderate	South-facing windowsill

How to choose plants for the bedroom: light, space, and pot

To choose bedroom plants, start with the light: a bright window gives you more options, while in a dimly lit room opt for Snake Plant, Pothos, and English Ivy. Then consider the available space, the time you can devote to care, and a pot with drainage holes.

How many plants to keep in the bedroom

In a medium-sized bedroom, 2-4 well-cared-for plants are enough: plenty to bring greenery into the room without overwhelming it. There is no number of plants that guarantees cleaner air, so choose a few, distribute them well, and select varieties suited to the light you have. A balanced example: a Sansevieria on the bedside table, a hanging Pothos, and a Spatifillo in a bright corner.

The right pot

The pot completes the plant and the decor. First of all, it must have drainage holes: waterlogging is among the most common causes of death for indoor plants. In the bedroom, always use a waterproof saucer to avoid damaging the floor and furniture. Terracotta promotes root aeration, while ceramic adds a more elegant touch.

Warm tones such as sand, ivory, terracotta, or neutral grays pair well with most textiles in modern bedrooms. For upright plants such as Sansevieria and Beaucarnea, choose tall, slender pots; for trailing plants such as Pothos and Hoya, choose round or bowl-shaped pots to hang or place on a shelf. For Sansevieria 'Swasdii', ceramic pots are available in four variants: Sally, Pitti, Ares, and Dioniso.

Where to place plants in the bedroom (and what to avoid)

Place plants where they receive the light they need, then think about the overall effect: a small plant on the bedside table, a larger one in the corner opposite the bed, and a trailing one up high. Avoid strongly scented flowers and pots without saucers.

There is no distance from the bed that must be observed for oxygen-related reasons: keeping plants 30-50 cm from the bed is a practical and aesthetic choice, so you won't knock them over and can see them well.

Bedside table, corners, and shelves

A compact Sansevieria or Hoya kerrii looks good on the bedside table: they don't take up much space, and checking the leaves in the evening can become a small relaxing ritual. If you don't want to think about watering, a picture made of preserved moss and lichens brings greenery without maintenance.

For a corner, perhaps opposite the bed, a Beaucarnea or Strelitzia creates a striking effect. On high shelves and bookcases, a trailing Pothos adds greenery without taking up floor space; a rectangular preserved moss picture also adds a touch of vertical greenery.

Light and windows

Plants that need plenty of light, such as Aloe and Lavender, should be placed near the window; those that tolerate partial shade, such as Sansevieria, Pothos, and Ivy, can go in less brightly lit corners. Play with different heights using stands, shelves, and hanging baskets, but don't overcrowd the space.

What to avoid

Flowers with a strong fragrance, such as jasmine (Jasminum) or gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), are beautiful but may disturb the sleep of people who are sensitive to smells. Also avoid pots without waterproof saucers: the bedroom is the least suitable place for water stains on the floor or furniture. Keep Dracaena and Ficus away from drafts.

Common problems with bedroom plants

The most common problems affecting bedroom plants are yellow leaves, dry tips, pests such as mealybugs and spider mites, and slow growth. A single symptom does not point to a definite cause: check the soil, light and leaves before changing your care routine.

• Yellow leaves: these are often caused by too much water. Check whether the soil stays wet, reduce watering and make sure the pot has good drainage.
• Dry tips: these may indicate air that is too dry. Mist the leaves of species that benefit from it or use a humidifier.
• Pests: regularly inspect the leaves and stems. If you find mealybugs or spider mites, clean the leaves with a damp cloth and use a pest treatment specifically designed for indoor plants.
• Slow or no growth: the plant may not be getting enough light. Try moving it to a brighter spot, without direct sunlight if it is a species that prefers indirect light.

If just one old leaf turns yellow while the rest of the plant is healthy, you usually don’t need to intervene. Avoid changing the water, position and pot all at once: change one thing at a time and observe the plant for a few weeks. For a more in-depth guide, read the guide to diseases of indoor plants.

In summary

For the bedroom, choose a few plants suited to the light you have, such as Sansevieria, Pothos, Hoya or Peace Lily, place them where they are easy to care for, and use pots with drainage and saucers. Their main value lies in the well-being that comes from living with greenery.

There’s no need to turn the room into a greenhouse: two or three well-chosen plants, cared for consistently and paired with pots that complement the decor, are enough to make the bedroom feel more lively and welcoming.

Our Respiro Verde selection

Respiro Verde is a selection of plants chosen by our nursery growers for those who want greenery beside their bed: Sansevieria, Hoya, and Beaucarnea, to pair with the ceramic pots from the Officine. You can find ready-made sets in the dedicated collection.

Explore the Respiro Verde collection

Frequently asked questions

Here you will find quick answers to the most common questions about which plants to keep in a bedroom, how many to choose, where to place them, and what to know about nighttime oxygen, low light, and yellow leaves. For care instructions for each species, return to the sections above.

What are the best plants to keep in a bedroom?

The most suitable are those that thrive in indirect light and require little care: Sansevieria, Pothos, Hoya kerrii, Beaucarnea, Philodendron Birkin, Calathea, and Spathiphyllum. If you have a very bright window, you can add Aloe and Lavender. Always choose based on the light in your room.

Do bedroom plants steal oxygen at night?

No, this is an unfounded belief. At night, plants respire and consume a small amount of oxygen, but for two or three plants in a bedroom, the amount is minimal, less than that consumed by a person or animal sleeping in the same room.

Are there plants that produce oxygen at night?

Plants with CAM metabolism, such as Sansevieria and Aloe, open their stomata at night and absorb carbon dioxide: this is why they are often described as plants that produce oxygen at night. In a room, however, their effect on the air remains modest.

How many plants can you keep in a bedroom?

In an average-sized bedroom, 2-4 well-maintained plants are enough. They provide greenery without overcrowding the space; more important than the number is choosing species suited to the light and caring for them consistently.

Which plants can tolerate low-light corners of the bedroom?

Sansevieria tolerates low-light areas, while Pothos and Ivy also thrive in partial shade. Aloe and Lavender, on the other hand, need plenty of light and should be placed near the window.

Why are the leaves of the plant in my bedroom turning yellow?

It is often caused by too much water, but a single symptom is not enough for a diagnosis. Check whether the soil remains wet, reduce watering, and make sure the pot has drainage holes; also consider how much light the plant receives.