DO you have problem falling asleep at night? Have a plant in your bedroom!
This may sound too good to be true, but having a certain type of plant in your bedroom can actually help you sleep better.
Sleepless nights can take their toll on our energy, productivity, mood and overall quality of life. If your environment isn’t conducive for sleep, you won’t be comfortable no matter how hard you try.
Research shows that in order to sleep better, having a home filled with beautiful flowers and plants will help you get to it. Flowers not only look great but they also bring vitality and life to your living spaces. Plants have relaxing and purifying benefits, which in turn can promote a healthy sleeping pattern.
There are several bedroom plants that can help you sleep better and faster. Besides producing oxygen and naturally filter air pollutants, the plants can also boost your mood, enhance your creativity, minimise your stress, increase your productivity, bring you tranquility and maintain indoor humidity levels.
FERNS
It’s important to choose ferns carefully if you plan to grow them indoors. Most ferns require a high level of humidity to become green and lush indoors.
The Boston fern is one the easiest to grow indoors. The arching fronds grow in a manner that makes it an ideal hanging basket plant, which means you can hang it near the window. If right conditions are provided, such as high humidity, enough indirect sunlight and warm enough temperatures, the Boston fern will grow fine. It should have moist soil (but not soggy) at all times. A balanced diluted fertiliser given to the plant every two weeks should suffice.
LAVENDER
You have probably heard it many times that sniffing some lavender essential oil can erase your worries and help you sleep better. Another thing you could do is place dried leaves of lavender under your pillow for “a bit of aromatherapy”.
Lavender is commonly known for its relaxant properties — helping those who suffer from insomnia, restlessness and similar conditions — which makes it a perfect plant to induce sleep.
If there is enough light, you can easily grow lavender indoors. It’s a low maintenance plant with a sophisticated purple colour and emits a pleasant fragrance, making it a perfect-fit if you want a plant that takes care of itself.
Its foliage and blossoms are chock full of fragrant oils that have been shown to help people relax, improve mood, and make you sleepy. The fragrance and flower grow best under dry conditions, so make sure not to saturate them.
JASMINE
These pretty ivory, white flowers have a similar effect like that of lavender. The gentle, soothing scent of jasmine helps reduce anxiety levels, giving you better quality night sleep.
Jasmine will need some care when you plant them. All jasmine plants prefer sun-to-light shade sites with well-draining and moderately fertile soil. It is best to place the pot near the window so the plant get some sunlight. Since the potted plant does not have access to extra nutrients, it needs fertilising twice or three times annually.
Watch carefully for pests and water from the bottom to prevent spotting on the glossy leaves. You may want to pluck the flowers, place them in a basket and keep them next to your bed for wonderful fragrant.