Do you know the feeling when you take a deep breath after a walk in the woods and suddenly feel completely at peace with yourself? You can bring this feeling home – right into the bedroom. Studies show: plants can not only improve the air but also sustainably enhance our sleep quality. And this is even scientifically proven!
🌬️ Better air = better sleep
A healthy sleep begins with healthy air. Indoors – and especially in the bedroom – air quality can be severely affected by fine dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and increased CO₂ levels.
What makes the air bad?
- CO₂ concentration: With closed windows, the CO₂ level can quickly rise to over 2,000 ppm at night. This leads to headaches, daytime fatigue, and poorer deep sleep.
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds): These gaseous substances, such as formaldehyde or benzene, come from furniture, paints, carpets, and even cleaning agents. They are suspected of causing headaches, mucous membrane irritation, and even sleep problems.
- Fine dust: It is often more present indoors than outdoors, especially when there is little ventilation or when living near a road.
🪴 The natural solution: plants!
Numerous plant species can bind and break down air pollutants. One of the most well-known studies on this comes from NASA:
NASA Clean Air Study (1989): In collaboration with the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, NASA demonstrated that certain houseplants can filter VOCs such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
→ Source: Wolverton, B.C. et al. Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement
But that's not all.
🧪 New studies show: Plants also work in the real bedroom!
The NASA study was a laboratory experiment. But positive effects are also evident in real living spaces:
🌿 Study of the University of Melbourne (2017):
Researchers found that plants can reduce the CO₂ concentration in an average room by up to 25% overnight – and all without open windows.
🌿 German survey by Statista (2020):
About 60% of respondents with plants in the bedroom report better sleep quality. Particularly popular: lavender, aloe vera, and snake plant.
😴 How exactly do plants help with sleep?
1. CO₂ reduction
Plants take up CO₂ (during the day) and convert it into oxygen. Some plants – such as, e.g., snake plant (Sansevieria) – even do this at night! As so-called CAM plants (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism), they store CO2 in the dark and then utilize it during the day as part of photosynthesis.
2. Humidification
Through transpiration, plants release moisture into the surrounding air. This prevents dry mucous membranes and reduces nighttime coughing or snoring.
3. Air purification
Plants like the pothos or the rubber tree can filter VOCs from the air and convert pollutants into harmless substances.
4. Psychological Effect
The sight of nature lowers stress hormones and promotes relaxation – perfect conditions for a restful sleep.
→ Source: Kaplan, R. & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective
🌿 These plants are ideal for the bedroom:
| plant | Effect | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bogenhanf | Oxygen at Night | Extremely easy to care for |
| Aloe Vera | Air Purifier & Humidity Dispenser | Seichert stores CO2 at night |
| Lavender | Soothing scent, stress-reducing | Promotes sleep |
| Effect | Filters VOCs | Very effective in air purification |
| Areca Palm | humidifier | Tropical & decorative |
🌱 One step further: Plant systems like AIRY
Normal plant pots look nice, but plants only reach their full potential with a special ventilation system for the roots. That's exactly what AIRY does:
- Plants absorb pollutants through their leaves, transport them to the roots, and convert them there completely into nutrients (amino acids, glucose, and starch).
- AIRY ventilates the root system – this accelerates the breakdown of pollutants.
- No electricity, no noise, 100% natural
👉 You can learn more about it here.
Conclusion: Green bedroom, healthy sleep
Those who want to sleep better should not only think about the mattress and blackout curtains – but also about the air quality. And you can easily improve that with plants.
With the right green, you not only sleep like in the woods – you also feel so refreshed the next morning. 🌳💤
