Peace Lily
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is one of the most enduring and popular houseplants for a bedroom for good reason: its glossy leaves thrive in high- or low-light situations, and its roots tolerate a variety of irrigation habits. Peace lilies take the guesswork out of watering by wilting when they’re thirsty and quickly perk up with a drink of water.
If your bedroom has a window, situating the peace lily nearby will increase the production of white flower-like spathes, which endure for weeks. If your room is somewhat dark and blooming seems unlikely, choose a peace lily variety like ‘Domino’ with its white variegated foliage to brighten up low light environments.
Parlor Palm
The parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) grows in partial to full shade in its native Guatemala, which is why you’ll see these specimens thriving in offices, malls, and other indoor spaces with little to no natural light. In fact, too much light will burn the leaves of the parlor palm, so keep this plant away from bright windows in the bedroom. A location close to a steamy bathroom that provides a humidity boost is ideal, because it will deter pests, such as spider mites, that proliferate in dry conditions.
English Ivy
As an outdoor plant, English ivy, Hedera helix, can behave aggressively by sending clinging tendrils over structures and up tree trunks. However, in a bedroom, you can take advantage of ivy’s spreading tendencies by training the vines across a small trellis, hoop, or topiary form to create a living work of art.
Thriving in all light situations, the trailing vines of English ivy look attractive in hanging baskets or draped over a side table. Plants do fine with little watering and will survive a week-long vacation without a hiccup.
Snake Plant
Sansevieria trifasciata, which s also known by the tongue-in-cheek name mother-in-law’s tongue, doesn’t do justice to the snake plant, a sculptural, vigorous specimen that purifies air better than almost any other houseplant.2 The leathery, strappy leaves of Sanseviera have adapted to survive the harsh conditions of West Africa, where the soil is poor and rain is irregular.
You don’t have to deal with messy dropped leaves or complicated pruning with the snake plant; just water it every couple of weeks. Make sure you plant it in a container with adequate drainage holes, as the snake plant will rot in standing water.
Corn Plant
Corn plants (Dracaena fragrans) give homeowners the look of a tree without the unmanageable height issues that come along with a tree. Long, glossy leaves top stout trunks. Corn plants are substantial and can serve as a handsome anchor in a bedroom corner. Corn plants tolerate shade and might produce white flowers when located in a sunny spot.
Although its name suggests otherwise, the corn plant is poisonous and should not be around nibbling pets or curious children.3
Gerbera Daisy
The Gerber daisy (Gerbera) is an ethereal plant for most people. Don’t expect this South African native to endure a light or too little water. The way a snake plant or philodendron would. Think of the Gerber daisy in the same way you might think of a very long-lasting cut flower arrangement. Temporary eye candy that you will eventually have to dispose.
Gerber daisies are pampered and coddled in greenhouse conditions that just can’t be replicated in a typical bedroom setting. However, it’s worth $5 to have a plant with such perfect, vibrant blooms bring its cheer to your bedside table. While it lasts, it will even do a great job of removing trace organic pollutants from the air.4
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig (Ficus lyrata) is one of the trendiest houseplants around. Given its frequent appearance in home magazines, television shows, and blogs. Its large leaves are its focal point, so providing the right lighting is essential to keeping your plant lush in a bedroom setting.
Fiddle leaf figs thrive in the shady understory of the jungle. But indirect light from an east-facing window helps these plants thrive. Set your fiddle leaf fig on a plate of pebbles filled with water to increase the humidity in the plant’s vicinity. In short, the fiddle leaf fig likes everything in moderation, including light, water, and temperature. Too much or too little of these elements will cause your plant to struggle.
Philodendron
Classic philodendrons are as relevant now as they were in the 1970s for people seeking a non-fussy bedroom plant. They are just as happy trailing from a hanging basket in the corner. As they are stealing the spotlight as a trellised specimen. Philodendrons tolerate a wide variety of light but can get a bit lanky if conditions are too dim. Less is more when it comes to irrigation. And you can easily root new plants in a vase of water if you decide to propagate more plants for a collection.
Spider Plant
Let the personality of the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) infuse your bedroom with fun and fresh air. Most people are familiar with the spider plant. Also known as the airplane plant, from its ability to produce multiple “pups” on stems. That dangle from the mother plant. You can leave these baby plants in place or clip them and repot them for gifts or to use other rooms.
Spider plants do well in many light conditions with average moisture. If leaf tips turn brown, collect rainwater to irrigate your spider plants as they are sensitive to the fluoride in tap water.
Aloe Vera
The fleshy leaves of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) plants need a bright spot in the bedroom but won’t mind if you forget to water for a few weeks. These succulent plants produce offsets that you can remove to start new plants. These new plants can serve as replacements if you remove leaves to harvest their healing gel for cuts and sunburns.
