There you are. Tucked up under your duvet, dreaming of far-off galaxies and maybe a Sunday roast, when a question drifts in like a soft lunar breeze: Should you keep plants in your bedroom? Are those leafy green comrades oxygen-boosting legends or silent, photosynthesising saboteurs of sleep?
Let’s take a deep breath (hopefully a purified one) and dig into this botanical conundrum. Because when it comes to sleep and the stuff that helps or hinders it, we don’t leaf anything to chance. Pun intended.
The Sleep Science Side
First things first: from a scientific perspective, there’s a general thumbs-up for bedroom plants. Yes, it’s true that most plants respire at night, which means they technically absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. But let’s not panic. The amount is minuscule. Unless you're planning to host a jungle-sized houseplant rave in a shoebox flat, you're absolutely safe.
Dr Michael Breus, also known as The Sleep Doctor, notes that the key to better rest lies in minimising stress and enhancing air quality. Guess what can do both? That’s right. Plants. Some, like snake plants, peace lilies, and our beloved aloe vera, even purify the air while adding a bit of life and style to your snooze station.
And speaking of clean air, let’s not forget NASA’s Clean Air Study. Now, granted, it was done under space station conditions (because why not?) but it did reveal that plants like the spider plant and English ivy can reduce common household toxins. Not quite the force field of an Asimovian habitat dome, but still impressive.
Mood Boosters with Roots
Now let’s talk vibe. Picture this: a potted fern by your window, bathed in morning light. It’s giving peace. It’s giving focus. It’s giving low-key rainforest.
Sleep isn’t just about knocking out for eight hours. It’s about what happens in the wind-down. Arianna Huffington, founder of The Sleep Revolution, preaches the gospel of turning your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. She’s not just talking about blackout curtains and phone bans. She means everything, from lighting to layout, should signal your body it’s time to wind down. And plants? They’re calming, comforting, and just the right kind of odd brilliance to make your bedroom feel alive but not chaotic.
In fact, exposure to greenery has been shown to reduce cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and support emotional well-being. That’s proper wellness without the need to sage-smudge your entire flat.
What About Allergies and Mould?
Alright, let’s not float off into the cosmic cloud of idealism just yet. For some folks, plants in the bedroom can be a bit sneezy.
Certain soil types can harbour mould, and if you're not careful with watering, dampness becomes a thing. That’s why it’s worth choosing plants with low mould risk and giving them pots with proper drainage. Pop a layer of pebbles underneath the soil and you’ve got an Earth-smart, moisture-managing mini eco-system that’s as functional as it is fetching.
And if you’ve got proper allergies or asthma? Check in with your GP first. We’re pro-plant, but your lungs get final say.
So... Do Plants Help You Sleep?
Not directly, no. A peace lily won’t crawl into bed and whisper affirmations (unless you’re in a particularly vivid REM phase). But they do create a more serene environment, improve air quality, and nudge your room aesthetic into "rest nest" territory.
Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and author of Why We Sleep, bangs the drum about environmental cues. Darkness, cool temperatures, and quiet are the heavy hitters but ambience matters too. Anything that reduces mental noise and increases comfort counts.
Plants won’t put you to sleep, but they absolutely support the conditions for better rest. They’re sleep-adjacent heroes. Supporting cast members with strong aesthetic energy and surprisingly decent science creds.
Sustainability, the Martian Made Way
Here’s the other reason we’re rooting for bedroom plants: sustainability, baby. Choosing to green your bedroom aligns beautifully with Martian Made’s mission of planet-friendly living. You’re literally bringing nature into your home, encouraging care and connection with the Earth (or, in our case, Earth-adjacent habitats).
Better still, many of the plants that work well in bedrooms are low-maintenance legends. They thrive with minimal water, don’t need 24/7 sunlight, and play nice with both your schedule and your décor. Function meets fun, quality meets character and your air gets a cheeky little upgrade while you snooze.
A Few Stellar Recommendations
If your bedside table’s ready to host a green guest, consider these cosmic contenders:
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Tough as Martian boots, low light friendly, and a top air purifier. Literally thrives on neglect.
Lavender
Smells divine, calms the nerves, and adds a hint of countryside chic.
Aloe Vera
Heals cuts and cleans the air? It’s giving medicinal moonbase.
Spider Plant
Great for newbies, safe for pets, and they look like tiny green fireworks.
Just avoid plants that are toxic to pets if you’ve got a furry flatmate. You don’t want Fluffy chewing on philodendron and requiring a late-night vet voyage.
The Verdict
Should you have plants in your bedroom? Absolutely. Unless you’ve got specific allergies or a pathological fear of leaves. They freshen the air, calm the senses, and sneak a bit of nature into your nighttime orbit.
Think of them not as décor but as life support units for your vibe. Quietly doing their thing. Standing sentry as you drift off. Not quite robotic assistants à la I, Robot but not far off in terms of understated utility.
Sleep is sacred. So if a little leafy magic can improve the quality of your rest, your health, and your planet, we say bring ‘em in.
And remember: in the Martian Made universe, your bedroom isn’t just for sleeping. It’s a launchpad for wellness, wonder, and waking up like a star.
🌱💤🛸