Research from NASA and the American College has revealed that houseplants are best suited for placing in the bedroom. Join DM Design, a specialist designer of bedroom furniture in Glasgow, as they detail some of these plants and the benefits they can bring to your home:
Why should you enhance your bedroom with houseplants?
Before we delve into the research from NASA and the American College, let’s first understand why you should consider improving your bedrooms — and, indeed, the rest of your home — with some houseplants.
Speaking to The Telegraph, interior landscaper and gold-medal winner at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Ian Drummond points out that houseplants can be very practical to homeowners. He explains: “Many people now live in cities without outside space. We all long to have some green around us, and houseplants are the perfect solution.”
Houseplants can also improve the aroma of your home because they act as clean air machines without significant cost. Studies have shown that houseplants have been found to help with concentration, promote better sleep, and reduce anxiety among people who live around them daily. When reporting on a 2016 piece published in the RHS’s journal, Plantsman underlined: “As placing indoor plants in rooms is one of the simplest changes that can be made to enhance the environment, it stands out as a practical and affordable support for health.” Here, we share 7 ideas for Decorating indoor plants in your home.
Which plants to add
Now that you know the benefits of adding houseplants to your home, here’s a list of plants that NASA and the American College are recommending you place around your bedrooms to make it a healthier and more relaxing environment:
1. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera plants, otherwise known as Aloe Barbadensis, have been grown by people for thousands of years and are one of the most widely used medicinal plants across the globe. This is because the clear and cool gel of an Aloe Vera leaf can be applied to burns, cuts, rashes, and areas of sunburn to provide instant relief and speed up the healing process.
In addition to being great for your health, NASA has deemed aloe vera plants among the best plants for air purification. This is because they release oxygen regularly at night, fighting against benzene—an ingredient in detergents—and formaldehyde—found in varnishes—to ensure a room’s air remains pure.
It is recommended that aloe vera plants be kept indoors—they are made up of a lot of water, so they are very susceptible to frost—preferably in a space with plenty of sun throughout the day. Furthermore, plant them in a spacious pot that contains soil that has been well drained beforehand.
2. Areca Palm
You may know the Areca Palm plant by another name, seeing as though it has also been deemed ChrysalidocarpusLutescens, DypsisLutescens, the Bamboo Palm, the Golden Cane Palm, and the Yellow Butterfly Palm.
Whatever you refer to this plant as one thing that you need to know about it is that it made the list of NASA’s top 10 air purifying plants. Moreover, the plant is great for those who often have colds or sinus problems because it regularly releases moisture into the air.
Aesthetically, the Areca Palm plant will add a touch of tropical climes to your bedroom thanks to its long and graceful feather-shaped fronds.
When placing Areca Palm plants around your bedroom, look for an area that subjects the plant to bright but indirect light. If it is exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves will begin to turn a yellowish-green hue.
3. Boston Fern
The Boston Fern—or NephrolepisExaltata—is an aesthetically pleasing plant for your bedroom. Its graceful green and drooping fronds are naturally cut to create a ruffled effect.
It is also ranked ninth on NASA’s list of the best air-purifying plants. A key reason is that the plant is adept at removing formaldehyde from rooms.
When placing Boston Ferns around your bedroom, note that they are sensitive to chemicals. Smoke from coal fires and wood burners can also be toxic to the plant, so they should be placed away from any spaces susceptible to draughts.
Due to its drooping appearance, places where Bostonto Fern looks great include a hanging basket and across the edge of a shelf or bookcase.
4. Chinese Evergreen
One of the most appealing aspects of the Chinese Evergreen plant — also known as Aglaonema — is that it is one of the easiest houseplants to look after. This is because the plant can grow even in areas of low light — no need to worry about placing it in a dark bedroom.
From the perspective of looking out for your health, the Chinese Evergreen plant works to remove more and more toxins from a room as time passes and its exposure to the space grows.
There are some words of advice when caring for a Chinese Evergreen plant to be aware of. In addition to keeping it away from bright sunlight (which can actually scorch its leaves), the plant should be watered regularly with cool water and fed with plant food once every three to four weeks.
