Best Plants for Bedrooms: 14 Options That are Easy to Care For

Your bedroom is your sanctuary—a retreat that revives and refreshes you. By adding a few plants, you can quickly turn your bedroom into a lush oasis. In fact, green plants are an easy way to redecorate and elevate the look of any room in your home.

Plants are not only beautiful, but they also improve your mood. Adding them to a bedroom can make getting up in the morning easier, says Kaylyn Hewitt, lead floral designer at The Bouqs Co."I think it's so lovely to wake up to a sea of green in the morning, especially if you're in an apartment in a city. What a lovely way to greet the day." Hewitt grew up in her mother’s nurseries and comes from a long line of gardeners. She believes that you can never have enough plants indoors. A recent study indicated that indoor plants can decrease blood pressure and help relax the body and mind while increasing cognition and academic excellence.

And if you need another reason to add a plant to your home, remember that plants are nature’s air purifiers; they breathe in carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air. If you’ve never cared for plants, follow Modern Sprout’s Sarah Burrows’ advice that easy-care plants are the best type for first-timers. Burrows says, “I frequently suggest opting for low-maintenance and drought-tolerant varieties in the bedroom.” Burrows and her husband Nick co-founded the Chicago-based company 11 years ago with just a few herbs and now ship plants nationwide.

Our top picks for the best indoor plants for bedrooms

To find the best plants for your bedroom, I consulted experienced plant and gardening experts. They weighed in on what plants are the best for beginners. They also chose the best flowering, nonflowering, and hardiest plants to place in your bedroom.

What to consider when buying plants for the bedroom

There are many different types of indoor plants, so choosing the best one for your bedroom can be difficult. Do you want a flowering plant? Do you need indoor plants for low light areas? Can office plants thrive in a bedroom? Are cacti a good bedroom plant?

I chatted with gardening and plant experts on how to pick the best plants for the bedroom. Before choosing a plant, Blaine Tiongson of California-based Momma Pots says, “There are several factors to consider ensuring they (plants) thrive and to avoid any plant nightmares.” Light, space, sensitivity/toxicity, humidity, and fragrance are the elements you need to assess before purchasing any plant. Tiongson’s store showcases not only plants but also her custom-designed planters.

Light

How much natural light your bedroom receives during the day will influence what type of plant you buy. The size and number of windows determine the natural light in your bedroom. If you have one large window or more than one window, chances are your bedroom doesn’t need artificial light (lamp or ceiling fixture) during the day.

Kyle Kroeplin, co-founder and head grower at the Orlando-based BWH Plant Co., recommends Sansevieria (Snake Plants) and Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) for bedrooms with low light and regular humidity. He also suggests Alocasia (Elephant Ears) and Hoya (Wax Plants) for bedrooms with bright natural light and higher humidity. If you don’t have a lot of light in your bedroom, you can still place plants there. Kaylyn Hewitt, says, “Some of my favorite houseplants do not require tons of light, so no need to shy away from plants if you don’t have a room full of windows.”

Another element to consider before buying a plant for your bedroom is what type of natural light shines through your window. Does your bedroom get morning or afternoon light? Certain plants like Geraniums love bright afternoon light, while Boston Ferns enjoy the rays of soft morning light.

Lastly, find out if your home has southern or northern exposure. A south-facing house or apartment will get the most sunlight during the day. A house that has northern exposure will get less sunlight during the day. Using a compass is the easiest way to find out what type of exposure you have. Knowing what kind of exposure you have will help determine the best plants that will blossom outside (and in) if you're also planning on landscaping or gardening. “Always place your plant in the room according to its light requirements,” explains Kroeplin.”You can always move it if it’s not loving the first spot.”

Space

Before you buy plants for your bedroom, consider the size of your space. Small bedrooms often benefit from having one to three small plants, whereas oversized bedrooms could look good with either many small plants or one or two large plants. Place them in safe spots like a shelf with enough room for the pot and the leaves so the plants don’t topple over from lack of space.

Sensitivity/toxicity

When choosing plants, Tiongson suggests considering any pollen or plant oil allergies. She says,” If you have pets or small children, be cautious about selecting toxic plants if ingested.” She suggests staying away from Philodendrons, as they are poisonous if ingested. Other indoor plants that can be toxic to pets are Lilies, Aloe Vera, Dieffenbachia, Sago Palm, Pothos, and the Peace Lily (which, despite the name, isn’t a true lily). It’s best to consult your veterinarian and pediatrician to ensure the plants are not dangerous.

Humidity

“Air conditioning and heat can create a dry environment that would not be great for ferns or orchids,” says Tiongson. Does your bedroom run hot or cold? Do you live in the sub-tropics, or where it’s always cold? The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, created in the 1960s by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is primarily a tool for planting outdoors. It can also give you insight into what plants will thrive indoors. The zones divide the country from the coldest (Alaska) to the warmest zones (Puerto Rico, Hawaii). The zones are used to determine a plant’s hardiness in specific environments. For example, the Peace Lily can be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 10 - 12 (Hawaii and Puerto Rico). If grown indoors, they can thrive in any climate.

“Always consider environmental factors like air conditioning and temperature when choosing plants,” adds Kroeplin. If you like to keep your home cool or warm all year round, look for plants that enjoy those temperatures.

Fragrance

Some indoor plants have fragrant blooms. You could place jasmine, lavender, and tea rose begonias in a bedroom to create a unique, relaxing aroma that helps lull you to sleep. However, some people do not like, or are sensitive to, scents, and you can find non-fragrant plants like ficus, pothos, or jade plants to place in your bedroom. ## How to water and maintain bedroom plants

Plants arrive with care instructions, including when to water them. Hewitt suggests, "Once a week is a good rhythm to start, and you can determine your needs after the first week. Be sure to pay attention to the soil when watering plants.” Hewitt adds, “Warning signs often show up in the soil first, like watering already drenched soil, so you can avoid mistakes by monitoring your soil.”

When to water your plants

The time of day you water your plants can affect their health. “Watering during peak daylight hours could potentially scorch the leaves,” states Tiongson.” This can result in irreversible damage.” If a plant is too warm, she advises to “place the pot in a larger container filled with water, allowing it to soak up water through the bottom drainage hole. This will revitalize the soil, enabling normal watering practices in the future.”

Burrows suggests that you may need to water your plant more during the hotter months. The plant may need more water if the soil feels dry and the leaves are drooping. She suggests touching the soil one inch below the surface; the plant doesn’t need water if it feels damp.

Plant maintenance

An easy way to maintain your plant’s health is to dust it. Hewitt says, “Dusting often gets overlooked in plant care. But it does so much for your plants. Plants breathe through their leaves, so don’t let the dust get in the way of that.”

Proper pot drainage ensures a plant’s health and helps maintain it. If a pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, Burrows suggests using a smaller plant with a drainage hole, then placing it inside a larger pot and filling the excess space with dirt to conceal the interior. Hewitt offers another option: if you’ve decided on a pot without a drainage hole, you can create a drainage system by filling the bottom with rocks and charcoal.

To keep a plant healthy, learn when and how to prune, deadhead, and repot each specific plant you own. Each specific plant has its own schedule.

Troubleshooting tips

Overwatering

Many first-time plant owners are so concerned about their plants drying out that they end up overwatering them instead. Kroeplin states, “Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, wilting leaves, and a constantly soggy soil. To tackle this, tweak your watering routine by letting the soil dry.” He suggests that if that doesn’t help, “Think about repotting into well-draining soil, removing any mushy brown roots in the process, and always use pots with drainage holes to avoid waterlogged conditions.”

Brown leaves

Brown leaves can signal underwatering, excessive heat, or dryness. Burrows suggests placing a humidifier near the plant and assessing the soil’s moisture to see if it’s too dry.

Pests

Inspect your plants to ensure that aphids aren’t present. If one plant has them, quarantine that plant and take care to get rid of them. All my experts agree that Neem oil is a safe, organic method to rid any plant of insects and pests.

Wrong pot size

A pot that is too small or too large can cause trouble for plants. Signs that a pot is too small are the plant looks stunted, the soil dries out quickly, or you see roots growing out from the drainage hole at the bottom. Repot the plant in a larger container but if you’re not sure what size is right, consult your local plant shop. It’s easy to go too big with some plants, like cacti.

If a pot is too big for the plant, leaves may turn yellow while the soil stays wet or is always wet. Keeping a plant in an oversized pot can also lead to root rot and other issues. Find an appropriate sized smaller container and repot your plant.

How we selected the best plants for bedrooms

Expert advice

I selected the best plants for bedrooms with the help and assistance of the many experts mentioned in this article. All of my experts are prolific gardeners. They run nurseries, both online and in real life. They all turned their love of everything green into a career.

Easy maintenance

When choosing the best plants for a bedroom, I specifically chose plants that work well for beginning and advanced plant lovers. That meant any plant chosen for this piece would be easy to take care of on a weekly basis.

Pet and family safe

The last thing you want to bring into your home is a plant that can harm your family. That’s why the majority of pants chosen for this piece are pet- and kiddo-friendly. A few plants on this list aren’t good for pets, and they are labeled as such.

Easy to find

Just as I opted to pick easy-care plants for this roundup, I selected plants that you can find anywhere. That means, you’ll see them in the nursery section of big box retailers, your local grocers, online, and at plant stores.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is it good to sleep with plants in your bedroom?

Not only do plants provide oxygen, but they also provide comfort, so sleeping with plants in your bedroom may benefit some people.

There have been studies that indicate plants enhance the quality of sleep and mental and physical health. In addition to its lovely fragrance, a very recent study found that lavender aided in acquiring a better night’s sleep as well as better sleep quality, and were more alert during the day.

Which plant is best for a bedroom for oxygen?

Since every plant takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, there is no one plant that is best. Find plants that you enjoy having in your bedroom and incorporate them into your space.

What is the best plant for bedroom air quality?

Many plants improve air quality via photosynthesis, the taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; some plants do it a tad better than others. They are Spider plants, Snake plants, ZZ plants, Pothos, and the Boston Fern. Scientists are now looking into other ways plants can help improve air quality. Two recent studies, one in 2020, and one in 2022, indicate that plants might be able to remove airborne toxins via phytoremediation. Nothing definitive has been found yet, as the investigation is continuing.

How many plants should I have in my bedroom?

All the experts were asked this question and agreed that the amount of plants in a bedroom is at the owner's discretion.

Where is the best place to put plants in the bedroom?

You can place a small grouping of plants on a dresser or a nightstand. A hanging plant could be placed in front of a window; just check what is the best light for a hanging plant. A larger-sized bedroom could hold a tallish bamboo plant. If there’s a bookcase in the bedroom, one or two shelves could hold plants. If choosing plants that might be toxic to dogs or children, it’s best to place them up high on a shelf where they can’t be reached.

Which plants are suitable for bedrooms?

Plants that love low-level and indirect sunlight are perfect for bedrooms, as most have less natural light. Some good options include Snake, Pothos, Spider, and ZZ plants.

Will plants in the bedroom attract insects?

Indoor plants may sometimes attract bugs, but if you keep them healthy and regularly check them for insects, you can quickly prevent or stop an infestation. You can add plants like basil, lemongrass, peppermint, or citronella—which repel insects—into your mix of bedroom plants. If you do find a plant with aphids or other bugs, remove it from the room and treat it. After the pests are gone, you can bring it back into the bedroom.

How often should I water my bedroom plants?

How often you need to water your plants depends upon their needs. ZZ plants can be ignored for months, while African Violets need to be watered once a week. Check your soil to see if it’s dry or moist; if the soil is dry, plants should be watered. When purchasing plants, keep their care information in a digital or paper folder for easy reference.

What is the best way to remember to feed and water plants in the bedroom?

An easy way to remember when to feed and water the plants in your bedroom is to set a reminder on your phone and/or calendar. You’ll automatically get alerts when they need to be taken care of.

Do bedroom plants need fertilizer?

All indoor or outdoor plants need plant food, AKA fertilizer. They usually need to be fertilized during the growing season, which is the spring and summer months. Refer to your plant care guide and the fertilizer instructions on how and when to fertilize your plants. Some plants need the fertilizer to be diluted at specific times of the year.

Do bedroom plants need sunlight?

All plants need sunlight to survive. However, some plants thrive in low-light or indirect light.

Can plants in the bedroom reduce stress?

Plants in a bedroom can reduce stress and increase a sense of relaxation. A recent study cited that plants can provide comfort and ease when placed in a room.

Are there any plants that are toxic to pets and should be avoided in the bedroom?

Plants like Lilies, Pothos, ZZ, and Philodendrons can be toxic to pets. Before purchasing any plant, consult with your veterinarian or check the ASPCA’s list of plants that are toxic to cats and dogs.

Can I keep flowering plants in a bedroom?

African Violets and orchids are the most common flowering bedroom plants. Make sure that they receive the type of light they need to thrive. If there isn’t enough natural light for your plant to bloom, look into getting a plant light.

What do I feed my plant?

Most plants do well with a basic plant food mix. Some plants, like orchids, African Violets, and cacti/succulents, need special plant food.

What is the best potting soil?

Most plants will do well with the basic potting soil in supermarkets and garden stores. Some plants require a specific type of soil or substrate that can be found online and in nurseries.