A bedroom is a harder home for a plant than it looks. Curtains are often closed for part of the day, the plant may sit on a nightstand far from the window, and the room may be kept cool at night. Pick the plant for those real conditions, then for the space you have and for any pet that shares the room.
One thing this guide does not do is promise better sleep or cleaner air. The extension sources below describe what plants need, not what they do for people. If air quality is your question, read our article on what the NASA plant study actually tested.
Step 1: measure the light where the plant will sit
University of Illinois Extension gives these reference levels. One foot-candle is about 10.8 lux, so a light-meter app reading can be compared directly.
| Category | Illinois reference | Where it occurs (Northern Hemisphere) |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 75 foot-candles (about 810 lux) | A few feet from a north window; 1–3 m (3–10 ft) from an east or west window |
| Medium | 150 foot-candles (about 1,600 lux) | In front of a north window; a few feet from an east or west window |
| High or bright | 300 foot-candles (about 3,200 lux) | In front of an east or west window; up to 1.5 m (5 ft) from a south window |
Measure at midday with the curtains as you normally keep them. University of Missouri Extension notes that even low-light plants usually do not get enough light more than about 3 m (10 ft) from an average window. A nightstand on the far side of the bed may be below that.
Step 2: compare plants by light, size and pets
Light ratings are from the Illinois chart where the plant is listed, and from the named source otherwise. Sizes are from NC State. Pet status is from the ASPCA unless noted.
| Plant | Light | Water | Size | Cats and dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nightstand and dresser | ||||
| Chinese money plant (Pilea peperomioides) | Bright, indirect (NC State) | Moist, well-drained | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) | NC State: safe for pets |
| Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) | Medium, about 1,600 lux; tolerates low light for months (NC State) | On the dry side; rots if overwatered | 15–61 cm (6–24 in) | Non-toxic |
| Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) | Low light; east windowsill best (NC State) | Damp, not soggy; bark mix | 46–61 cm (18–24 in) | Non-toxic |
| Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) | Medium, about 1,600 lux | Evenly moist; needs high humidity | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) | Non-toxic |
| Shelf or floor, compact | ||||
| Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) | Low, about 810 lux | Dry between waterings; every 1–2 months in winter | Upright clump | Toxic |
| ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | Very low light, even fluorescent (NC State) | Dry completely; monthly in winter | 61–122 cm (2–4 ft) | NC State: problem for cats and dogs |
| Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) | Medium, about 1,600 lux | Moist; tolerates drying | 30–46 cm tall | Non-toxic |
| Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Low, about 810 lux; medium light to flower (Missouri) | Moist, not soggy | Often about 0.9 m (3 ft) | Toxic |
| Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) | One of the best for low light (Missouri) | Regular in growth; sparingly in winter | 30–91 cm (1–3 ft) | Non-toxic |
| Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) | Low, about 810 lux | Slightly moist; less in winter | Trails to 1.8 m (6 ft) | Toxic |
| Floor plants | ||||
| Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) | Low, about 810 lux | Dry slightly between waterings | 61 cm–2.3 m (2–7.5 ft) | Non-toxic |
| Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) | Requires little light; moderate light indoors (NC State) | Mix that does not dry out | Large; slow-growing | Non-toxic |
| Ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) | High or bright, about 3,200 lux | Deep, then dry; much less in winter | 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) in a pot | Non-toxic (as bottle palm) |
For more compact options see our small indoor plants guide; for bigger ones, our large indoor plants guide.
Step 3: think about who sleeps in the room
If a cat or dog sleeps in the bedroom, a plant there is unsupervised for hours. Choose from the non-toxic plants in the table. The ASPCA lists spider plant, parlor palm, kentia palm, cast iron plant, prayer plant, moth orchid, baby rubber plant and ponytail palm as non-toxic to dogs and cats. Snake plant, peace lily and heartleaf philodendron are toxic, and NC State flags ZZ plant. Our pet-safe plants guide has a longer list by light level.
If you are sensitive to scent, note that some flowering plants are fragrant at night. Iowa State says hoya flowers are fragrant, especially in the evening.
Care in a typical bedroom
Dim rooms use less water
Plants in low light grow slowly and use water slowly. Illinois Extension advises checking the mix with a finger to about 5 cm (2 in) deep and watering only when it is dry, not on a schedule. NC State says snake plant needs water only every one to two months in winter, and ZZ plant about once a month. See our ZZ plant care guide and snake plant care guide.
Cool bedrooms
University of Maryland Extension says foliage plants grow best at 21–27 °C (70–80 °F) by day and 16–20 °C (60–68 °F) at night. A bedroom kept cooler slows growth.
- Tolerate cool rooms: NC State says snake plant tolerates temperatures around 10 °C (50 °F). Missouri says cast iron plant tolerates cool locations.
- Dislike cool rooms: NC State says peace lily growth slows considerably at 4–16 °C (40–60 °F), and prayer plant is intolerant of low temperatures and cold drafts.
Heaters, air conditioning and drafts
Maryland Extension advises keeping indoor plants away from heat and air-conditioning sources, and protecting them from sudden temperature changes. Do not place a plant on a radiator shelf or under a vent.
Rooms with closed curtains
If curtains stay shut most of the day, the plant gets only the light that passes through them. Choose from the low-light group, or add a small grow light on a timer. Missouri suggests 12–14 hours of electric light a day when plants get some window light, and 16–18 hours when they get none. See our low-light plant guide.
Quick picks
- North-facing or dim bedroom: snake plant, ZZ plant, cast iron plant, parlor palm.
- Bright east or west bedroom: Chinese money plant, moth orchid, ponytail palm.
- Pet in the room: spider plant, parlor palm, kentia palm, cast iron plant, prayer plant.
- Little space: Chinese money plant, baby rubber plant, moth orchid.
For light levels of other plants, see our houseplant light requirements chart, and see the snake plant, peace lily, spider plant, parlor palm and cast iron plant hubs.
References
- University of Illinois Extension: Houseplants: Lighting; Houseplants: Watering
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein (rev. 2016): Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- University of Maryland Extension: Temperature and Humidity for Indoor Plants
- Iowa State University Extension: Easy Low-Maintenance Houseplants; All About Hoyas
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Pilea peperomioides, Peperomia obtusifolia, Phalaenopsis, Maranta leuconeura, Dracaena trifasciata, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Chlorophytum comosum, Spathiphyllum, Aspidistra elatior, Philodendron hederaceum, Chamaedorea elegans, Howea forsteriana, Beaucarnea recurvata
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and non-toxic plant list