A hot summer’s night spent tossing and turning is a veritable nightmare. No sooner have you fallen into a dream-state slumber than the shrill of an alarm clock startles you into consciousness. Add to the mix Haribo binges and al fresco cocktails, and you’ve set yourself up for another groggy wake-up call. Said to affect our ability to focus, our eating patterns and even our skin, sleep deprivation is no joke.
While there’s little we can do about the early mornings, the answer to our sleepless nights is just a potted plant away, says Nik Southern, cofounder of east London flower and plant specialist Grace and Thorn.
Ahead we list the top flora and lush foliage known for “adding calming and purifying benefits” to your sleep sanctuary. Reaping the benefits of Mother Nature has never been easier!
Areca Palm
With its graceful feather-like fronds, this plant not only looks good but also helps you catch those coveted Zzzs, explains Southern. Great for “releasing moisture into the atmosphere and eradicating dry air,” the tropical palm provides much-needed relief for those who suffer from sinus problems. Southern says: “While all plants produce oxygen, the areca offers one of the highest conversion rates of CO2 to O2.” Better still, its purifying properties rid the air of all the nasty toxins so you can breathe easy. Simple to care for and lovely to look at, these bold plants are a bedroom dream.
Aloe Vera
“Sleep-deprived types with busy lives” should look no further than this well-known medicinal plant, recommends Southern. A pro at producing oxygen while you sleep, similar to the other perennials in the list, aloe vera improves the air quality in your bedroom by removing dangerous chemicals. NASA even crowned it “one of the top air-purifying plants” and who are we to question the experts? Characterised by its plump leaves, this succulent requires very little watering thanks to its ability to maintain moisture. A popular remedy for cuts and burns, aloe vera is as soothing to the mind as it is to the skin.
Lavender
“You only have to breathe in a noseful of this plant to experience its instant calming effect,” says Southern. The herb’s earthy, sweet smell can help you mellow after a busy day and, by nightfall, usher you into a solid slumber. Adept at purifying the air by reducing CO2 levels, lavender’s fragrant scent is brilliant for neutralising bad smells. A few stems can even erase gym bag odours. The presence of lavender is also known to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. “There is plenty of scientific evidence to support the link between lavender and relaxation,” adds Southern.
Gerbera
Bright, beautiful gerberas do more than just enliven a living space – these daisies provide welcome relief to those suffering from sleep and breathing disorders, says Southern. Like aloe vera, this “flowering plant releases more oxygen at night” while removing harmful chemicals, such as benzene and trichloroethylene from the air. A 2015 study showed that quality of sleep can be significantly improved simply by increasing the clean air supply in bedrooms. Keep this one on the nightstand and you’ll be dozing off in no time.
Jasmine
A busy lady’s sweet dream. This exotic flower doesn’t just promote better sleep, it also preps you for the day ahead. Southern says: “This plant’s heavenly scent has a gentle, soothing effect on the body and mind” and is proven to lead to a higher quality of sleep. A study by the Wheeling Jesuit University found that participants who breathed in jasmine overnight described “lower levels of anxiety” and showed higher cognitive test results than those who didn’t. Touted for its relaxing qualities since ancient times, place the snowy white blooms by your bedside and wake up feeling fresh and energised.
English Ivy
Known for its dark evergreen leaves, English ivy is one of the best house plants for “removing mould from the air” says Southern. Like aloe vera, it cleanses the air at night by producing oxygen and removing allergens as well as carbon dioxide. In fact, the NASA-approved species is a great companion for those who suffer from asthma or breathing problems. Research by the Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Care Medical Center in California found that having English ivy in your home helps to reduce airborne mould by up to 94%!
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