When adding plants to your home, you may only want a few here and there, while other people may like their home to resemble an outdoor garden. So, just how many plants are too many for a bedroom?
NASA has stated that you should have at least one plant for every 100 square feet (9.29 sq.m) in your home. More than that, and you might be going overboard. However, a few factors can cause this amount to vary.
In this article, I will go into further detail about the various factors that can determine how many plants are too many for a bedroom and some other essential tips to keep in mind. So, let’s jump right in!
Factors That Affect How Many Plants to Keep in a Bedroom
More important than personal preference, there are a number of scientific and medical reasons why some people feel it’s necessary to limit the number of plants in their living space.
The number of people sharing the bedroom and concerns about oxygen and carbon dioxide toxicity are factors affecting how many plants are too many for a bedroom.
I’ll explain these factors in more detail below:
Number of People Sharing a Bedroom
The number of occupants in your bedroom is important because the more people or pets, the more oxygen you use in the bedroom. You won’t need much more than the recommended amount if it’s just you and one dog.
However, if you share your bedroom with another person and several pets, you will need more than just one plant per 100 square feet (9.29 sq.m).
If you want more plants and your space is limited, you can use plant hangers, shelves, or multi-tier plant stands, which don’t take up much floor space.
Oxygen Toxicity Concerns
Many people wonder if having too many plants can cause oxygen toxicity. Thankfully, this will never happen unless your home is pressurized.
Oxygen toxicity (or an environment of 100% oxygen) is impossible because humans and animals breathe in oxygen, and breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants also consume small amounts of oxygen at night, resulting in a constant exchange of gases between the plants and the household members, meaning that the air will never be 100% oxygen.
Consuming about 50 liters (1690.7 oz) of oxygen per hour is the perfect amount for humans. One plant leaf produces only 5 milliliters (0.17 oz) of oxygen an hour. It takes 1,000 milliliters (33.81 oz) to make up 1 liter (33.81 oz). So, given this information, it would take hundreds and hundreds of plants in a confined space to produce too much oxygen.
In addition, it would likely be practically impossible to fit that many plants into a home, let alone just your bedroom, unless you remove all your furniture.
If you’re worried about the oxygen levels in your bedroom while you’re asleep, you do not need to be concerned. When sleeping, humans need less than 50 liters (1690.7 oz) per hour, so the possibility of oxygen toxicity, even if you have multiple plants, is still basically impossible.
Carbon Dioxide Concerns
Many people consider it harmful to sleep with several plants in your room at night. This belief is well-founded, considering that plants consume oxygen at night and produce carbon dioxide. However, the amount of oxygen consumed is less than one plant produces during the day.
You should not be worried about excess carbon dioxide at night, especially if you consider that some plants produce oxygen at night through respiration. Having plants in a bedroom at night can significantly improve the air quality.
For more information on plant oxygen consumption at night, look at this article: How Much Oxygen Do Indoor Plants Consume at Night?
Potential Shortage of Carbon Dioxide
Having too many plants in a bedroom won’t cause them to die. Although there might be a high demand for carbon dioxide, there will always be enough for respiration.
Wondering if there’s enough carbon dioxide for all of your plants to consume is a reasonable concern. However, there’s no need to worry. Humans and animals breathe out carbon dioxide and breathe in oxygen, and with the continuous exchange of gases, there will be enough carbon dioxide for your plants.
If you are concerned about your plants dying, you should ensure that they have the resources they need, including the correct amount of sunlight for the plant type and enough water.
Plants That Benefit Sleep
Since we’re discussing plants in the bedroom, it could be useful to list the plant types that can help you have a better night’s sleep:
Peace Lily
A peace lily is known to help you sleep, but not for the reason you might think. This plant increases the humidity in a room, and an increase in moisture enables you to breathe better at night. It also keeps your mouth from drying out if that is something you struggle with during sleep.
Gardenia
Surprisingly, gardenia does so well at helping people sleep that they have been recommended by numerous doctors for helping to treat people with sleep disorders. Gardenias have been said to be more effective at reducing anxiety and stress than prescribed pills.
Jasmine
It has been proven that the fragrance of jasmine is excellent in aiding sleep. The smell helps with feelings of calmness. According to one study in West Virginia, simply inhaling jasmine fragrance before going to sleep can lead to better sleep efficiency.
Lavender
The scent of lavender was named one of the best for relaxation by the National Sleep Foundation, which found that exposure to lavender can reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
Elecampane
Elecampane resembles a daisy but is known for its many health benefits. It’s been proven that this plant helps treat asthma and bronchitis, so if you have this plant, it can help you manage your illness more effectively and get a better night’s sleep through improved breathing. It is also effective at removing bacteria in a room.
Passion Flower
Much research has been conducted on the Passion Flower and it’s been proven that this plant has a calming effect similar to medications used to relax or calm people. This calming effect is great for sleeping. You can also make tea out of its flowers, which can improve sleep quality if you drink it consistently.
Final Thoughts
It’s best to have one plant per 100 square feet (9.29 sq.m) for the ideal plant-to-space ratio. Having more plants than the recommended amount won’t harm you or your plants. The number of plants for optimal air quality also depends on how many people share your bedroom, including pets.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide toxicity from plants is impossible because plants use very little oxygen and carbon dioxide for respiration.
Several plants are fantastic to have in a bedroom as they greatly benefit sleep.
