The Best Bedroom Houseplants... According To Science *

*this post is sponsored

Bringing the outdoors indoors can be a great way to make a simple, cost-effective improvement to your living space. Studies from the American College and NASA has shown that certain houseplants are particularly beneficial when placed in the bedroom. We are joined by DM Design, bedroom designer and kitchen showroom in Edinburgh, as we show you the best plants to place in your bedroom. 

The benefits of bedroom plants 
Firstly, let's look at the reasons why houseplants can improve your home. 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 with no outside space. We all have this longing to have some green around us, and houseplants are the perfect solution.”

Plants are a natural means to improve your home's aroma at a low 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 on a day-to-day basis too. The Plantsman, when reporting on a 2016 piece which was published in the RHS’s journal, 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.”

Which plants to pick 

Let's now take a look at four of the plants that NASA and the American College have recommended for your bedroom:

Combat colds: Areca Palm

The Areca Palm has gained an impressive number of names: the Bamboo Palm, the Golden Cane Plam, the Yellow Butterfly Palm, Dypsis Lutescens, and Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens are all names for the same plant.

This plant, like Aloe Vera, made the list of top 10 air purifying plants for NASA. What’s more, the plant has been said to be great for those who often have colds or sinus problems due to it regularly releasing moisture into the air.

If you're a fan of a tropical theme, the Areca Palm will fit right in to your home with its long, feather-like leaves. 

Be sure to keep the plant out of direct sunlight, and keep it in bright areas of indirect light. You’ll know if it is being exposed to direct sunlight as the leaves will begin to turn a yellowish-green hue.

Clean the air: Boston Fern

With long, drooping leaves that naturally form a gently ruffled appearance, the Boston Fern looks lovely in any bedroom. It is also ranked in ninth place on NASA’s list of the best air-purifying plants. A key reason for this is that the plant is very adept at removing formaldehyde from rooms.

Remember, the Boston Fern is sensitive to chemicals. Smoke which come from coal fires and wood burners can also be toxic to the plant, which means that they should be placed away from any spaces susceptible to draughts.

The Boston Fern's appearance means it works great on the edge of a shelf or in a hanging basket.

Remove toxins: Chinese Evergreen

The biggest appeal of the Chinese Evergreen plant is how easy it is to care for. This is because the plant can grow even in areas of low light — no need to worry about placing it in a dark bedroom then.

The plant is removes toxins from the room it is in, and more exposure means it removes more toxins. 

Though it is easy to care for, you should be aware of the steps required. As well as 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.

Purification: Aloe Vera

A popular medicinal plant around the world, Aloe Vera has been relied upon for thousands of years. 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. 

NASA also advises that Aloe Vera has fantastic air purification abilities. This is because they release oxygen on a regular basis during the night, not to mention fighting against both benzene — an ingredient of detergents — and formaldehyde — found in varnishes — to ensure a room’s air remains pure.

Aloe Vera thrives best indoors, positioned where they can get ample sunlight. 

Furthermore, plant them in a spacious pot that contains soil which has been well drained beforehand.

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