IF you’ve tried every trick in the book to get some shuteye but still find yourself tossing and turning every night, maybe it’s your bedroom that’s to blame. After all, if your environment isn’t conducive to sleep, you won’t be comfortable no matter how hard you try. One thing you didn’t even know your bedroom might be missing? A plant. “Houseplants not only enhance the overall appearance of a space, but studies have shown they can also boost your mood, enhance your creativity, reduce your stress levels, increase your productivity, bring you tranquility, maintain indoor humidity levels, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants,” says Erin Marino, who keeps an online plant shop. Here are some recommendations for your bedroom. Snake plant Marino loves the snake plant because of how low-maintenance it is, but another huge benefit is its spot on NASA’s list of the top air purifying plants. Snake plants have been shown to filter benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. It is also one of few houseplants that convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. This increase in air quality will lead to better sleep — particularly if you’re prone to allergies. Philippine evergreen The Philippine evergreen, also commonly known as the Chinese evergreen, emits high levels of oxygen and removes chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. Plus, it’s super easy to grow as it loves indoor spaces with low sunlight or fluorescent lighting. English ivy If you’re prone to bad seasonal allergies at night, an English ivy plant might help you out. Research shows the plant has the ability to reduce airborne mold and feces, making the air cleaner and alleviating symptoms of asthma. Just make sure it’s out of reach of pets and children because it can be mildly toxic when ingested. Lavender If you’ve ever sniffed some lavender essential oil and automatically felt your worries disappear, you’ll realize why this fragrant plant made the list. “If there’s enough light, you can easily grow lavender indoors,” says Jesse Waldman, who keeps a Portland, Oregon-based plant shop. “Its foliage and blossoms are chock full of fragrant oils that have been shown to help people relax, improve mood, and make you sleepy.” Golden pothos Another great air purifier, the golden pothos gets Waldman’s stamp of approval because it’s so easy to care for. “It doesn’t require too much light, and it’s beautiful, too,” he says. “It happily cascades in a hanging planter, or you can train it to climb up a trellis or moss pole.” Heartleaf philodendron “This easy-care, trailing plant with vibrant, green, heart-shaped leaves is particularly effective at absorbing formaldehyde from indoor air,” says Marino. “Dry indoor air can be blamed for a host of ailments, including respiratory problems, sore throats, colds, and even skin breakouts. Indoor plants help to maintain, and in some cases, increase, humidity levels by emitting water vapor during transpiration.” The heartleaf philodendron also gives out major jungle vibes and is great for homes with particularly high ceilings. Jasmine Jasmine can help alleviate anxiety, which can help you get a restful and uninterrupted night’s sleep. The pleasant aroma acts as a natural room air freshener. If you have a fairly larger bedroom or an empty corner, fill it with a large pot of jasmine vine that features deep green leaves and seasonal white flowers. Or you can get a smaller potted one for your bedside table. Peace lily Not only would a peace lily plant fit right in with any bedroom decor style, but it can help you get a more peaceful night’s sleep by ridding your room of pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. The plant grows best in bright, indirect sunlight and it’s fairly low maintenance. Like the English ivy, it can be toxic if eaten, so be sure to keep it away from any of your furry friends or small children. (SD-Agencies) | 