Utah gardeners enjoy breath the “fresh air” in the yard and watching nature in the garden or patio. We find it adds to a healthy living. But have you thought about the 6-8 hours that pass in the night? Can we get better sleep with plants in our bedrooms? The answer is yes!
I used to think that the mattress, the sheets, and pillow I used was what affected my sleep. I later learned that room temperature and personal stress are also factors to the quality of my sleep. But now I consider another one, plants!
Have you ever linked the tradition of taking a flowering plant to a hospital patient in recovery? Now I understand why. Flowering plants have significant benefits for patients. If it can help patients with their recovery, then logically, and biologically, placing plants in your bedroom can make a difference.
Houseplant Studies
Many comprehensive studies have been conducted by NASA and others to explore this phenomenon. Scientists have discovered individual plants can clean the air more than others. Some plants help people sleep longer, and different plants are better at cleaning certain toxins from the air. Toxins like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. For example, one “study suggests Gardenia is as effective as valium.”
I read several articles about getting better sleep, including 10 Plants That’ll Help You Sleep Better by Martha Stewart, 7 Bedroom Plants that Improve Your Sleep, and my favorite article on the topic – 10 Plants that Help Sleep by Tuck. Tuck is a very comprehensive resource on sleep. They are worth the read. The articles discuss the qualities of several houseplants and how they can influence your rest. Did you know that English Ivy is known to help with sleep apnea or reduce allergens like airborne mold! Some of the tests could be great science projects for young ones.
Care and Access to Houseplants
Most of these houseplants are easy to care for inside a home or apartment. Of course, remember the general rule of the Finger Tester. Water your plant when you can stick your finger in the soil and it comes out dry. Over watering is often the culprit for disaster. Find houseplants for sleeping at your local garden center like Western Gardens. They have a fantastic selection of these and other houseplants.
Better Sleep is Around Corner
We gardeners realize the immense satisfaction of getting our hands dirty to create a piece of heaven to view or taste the fresh grown foods all summer. That endorphin created with labor are real and do help us be more healthy. Therefore, this fall, while you are putting your Utah garden to bed, consider what you can bring into your bedroom to help with your winter sleeping hours! Outdoor gardens and indoor houseplants truly can be medicine for the soul and body all year round.
Recommendations of Houseplants for Better Sleep
TipsBulletin.com has another list of wonderful hanging houseplants.