Green Sleep

7 sleep-inducing, anti-pollutant plants for your home

by Eli King for Roohan Realty

Labeled a public health epidemic by the CDC in 2014, sleep deprivation has serious consequences, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and hormone imbalance…to name a few. Most adults know the risks of not enough sleep, but still struggle to get 7-9 hours of quality rest each night.

“The shorter your sleep, the shorter your life,” says Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at UC Berkeley.

Calling Daylight Savings Time a “global experiment performed on 1.6 billion people,” Walker points out that car accident rates jump and heart attacks spike 25% during the biannual time change…meaning, even getting 1 hour less than the recommended amount of sleep can have immediate, adverse health affects.

One easy solution for better sleep at home: houseplants.

Since the 1960s, NASA has experimented with the effect of plants on indoor air quality. From eliminating Agent Orange in water to remediating Sick Building Syndrome, extensive evidence has supported the idea that introducing plants to an environment can directly improve both physical and mental health.

Certain types of plants have specific sleep-inducing, air-purifying properties, so incorporating them throughout your living space can improve your sleep, your health, and your decor! Let’s clear some air:

1. Jasmine

Breathing in the scent of jasmine transmits signals to the limbic system, which controls emotions and also influences the nervous system. Studies have shown that jasmine works like a sedative to ease anxiety and increase positive emotions, helping people fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restful sleep.

2. Lavender

According to the National Sleep Foundation, lavender can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol (stress hormone) levels to help induce sleep. Sleep studies conducted by The National Center for Biotechnology Information also found that lavender improved patients’ sleep quality, duration, and daytime wakefulness. Use as a potted plant or rub the essential oil into sheets.

3. Aloe Vera

Called the “Plant of Immortality” by the ancient Egyptians, Aloe Vera has been recognized for its medicinal value for over 6,000 years! This succulent “sucks” up harmful toxins in your home and is hardy enough for even plant-challenged homeowners to care for. *Warning: Poisonous to pets & children, keep out of reach!

4. English Ivy

One of the best in terms of pollutant removal efficiency, English Ivy is especially effective for anyone with asthma or allergies, able to reduce air mold spores by up to 94% in 12 hours. *Warning: Poisonous to pets & children, keep out of reach!

5. Boston Ferns

Another of the best air purifying houseplants, Boston Ferns remove formaldehyde from the air and act as a natural humidifier. Formaldehyde is a common organic compound that exists everywhere but can be toxic and carcinogenic with overexposure.

6. Gerbera Daisy

Gerbera Daisies are champions in removing cancer-causing benzene (found in cigarette smoke, detergents, pesticides & other synthetic materials) and Trichloroethylene (paints, laquers, adhesives) from the air. They also give off ocygen during the night to help improve sleep.

7. Snake Plant

A great option for the “horticulturally challenged,” this hardy, easy-to-grow plant is nearly indestructible and can survive almost any variation in light, temperature and dryness. The Snake Plant (or Mother’s ) is unique in that it absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide at night, converting it to oxygen. It’s actually ideal to have several of these in your bedroom! *Warning: Poisonous to pets & children, keep out of reach!