Quick Answer: The best plants for the bedroom oxygen are snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies. These species release oxygen at night and tolerate low light. In Canada, find them at most garden centres, hardware stores, and online nurseries. Pair them with a mattress that keeps you cool for the best sleep environment.
In This Guide
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There is something satisfying about waking up to a room with a little green in it. Bedroom plants have been popular for years, and the oxygen angle is part of the appeal. The idea is simple: plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, so having them close to where you sleep should help.
The reality is a bit more nuanced than that, but the short version is: yes, the right plants can contribute to a healthier bedroom environment. And no, you do not need to turn your room into a greenhouse to see a benefit.
This guide walks through the best plants for bedroom oxygen, where to find them in Canada, how to keep them alive, and which pots actually work. We will also touch on how your sleep environment as a whole, including your mattress, affects sleep quality more than any single plant will.
Do Bedroom Plants Actually Raise Oxygen?
The honest answer is: in a meaningful way, probably not on their own. A 1989 NASA study on indoor plants and air quality generated a lot of excitement, and the results were real. Certain plants did reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene and formaldehyde in sealed test chambers.
But a 2019 analysis published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology found that you would need many dozens of plants per square metre of floor space to replicate those results in a real home with normal air exchange. Most bedrooms have a few windows and some air movement. The sealed-chamber conditions of the NASA study are not what most of us sleep in.
So what does that mean for your bedroom? It means plants are genuinely good for air quality, just not miraculously so. They add humidity, reduce dust particle movement, contribute small amounts of oxygen overnight, and may improve your mood when you wake up. That last point, the psychological effect of being near nature, is backed by consistent research in environmental psychology.
What Research Actually Says About Plants and Sleep
A 2015 review in the journal HortScience found that exposure to indoor plants reduced psychological and physiological stress markers, including blood pressure and cortisol. Separate research from the University of Exeter found that workers with plants in their environment showed 15% higher productivity and reported better mood. While these studies focus on wakefulness rather than sleep directly, reduced stress before bed is one of the most consistent predictors of faster sleep onset. The benefit is real, even if it works through mood rather than oxygen volume alone.
The plants that do provide a modest overnight oxygen boost are ones that perform something called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, or CAM photosynthesis. Most plants open their stomata during the day and close them at night. CAM plants do the opposite: they take in carbon dioxide at night and release oxygen then. Snake plants, aloe vera, and certain orchids use this process. They are the ones to prioritise if overnight oxygen is your goal.
Best Plants for Bedroom Oxygen
These species are chosen for three reasons: they produce oxygen (including some overnight), they tolerate the lower light conditions typical of a Canadian bedroom, and they are genuinely available across the country.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
This is the most recommended bedroom plant for a reason. Snake plants are CAM plants, so they release oxygen at night rather than during the day. They tolerate low light, irregular watering, and the dry air that comes with running heat through a Canadian winter. They grow slowly, which means they stay manageable. A snake plant in a 6-inch pot fits on a nightstand or windowsill without taking over the room.
Care is simple. Water every two to three weeks in warmer months, once a month in winter. Let the soil dry completely between waterings. They rot easily if kept wet.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is often called the hardest plant to kill, and that reputation is earned. It trails or climbs, handles low light better than almost any other houseplant, and requires almost no maintenance. It is not a CAM plant, so most of its oxygen output happens during daylight hours, but it is an excellent air purifier and humidity contributor.
Pothos work well on a high shelf where they can trail down. Keep them out of reach of pets and children, as they are mildly toxic if ingested.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are one of the few flowering plants that genuinely thrive in low-light environments. They were part of the original NASA clean air study and showed strong results for removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from enclosed spaces. They also help maintain bedroom humidity, which matters for respiratory comfort during dry Ontario winters.
They are not CAM plants, but their daytime oxygen output combined with humidity contribution makes them a good bedroom choice. Water when the soil feels dry an inch below the surface. Droop slightly when thirsty, then perk back up quickly after watering. Note that peace lilies are toxic to cats and dogs.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another CAM plant, releasing oxygen at night. It is also genuinely useful to have around: the gel inside the leaves soothes minor burns, dry skin, and insect bites. Keep it in a sunny windowsill if possible, as aloe prefers more light than most bedroom plants. In a low-light bedroom it will survive but not thrive. Water sparingly, roughly once every three weeks.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are non-toxic, which makes them the right choice for households with pets or young children. They produce small offshoots called "spiderettes" that can be potted up and shared. NASA found them effective at reducing formaldehyde and xylene. They prefer indirect light and occasional watering. Easy to find, easy to keep, and visually appealing as a hanging plant.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Boston ferns are humidity powerhouses. In a dry bedroom, they act almost like a biological humidifier, releasing moisture into the air through their fronds. This is particularly valuable in Ontario winters when indoor humidity can drop well below the 40-50% range recommended for comfort and respiratory health.
The tradeoff is that ferns need more attention than the others on this list. They like consistent moisture, indirect light, and do not respond well to forced-air heating vents blowing directly on them. If you can manage that, a Boston fern is worth having.
Quick Comparison: Bedroom Plants for Oxygen
| Plant | Night Oxygen? | Light Needed | Pet Safe? | Care Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snake Plant | Yes (CAM) | Low to medium | Mildly toxic | Very easy |
| Pothos | No (daytime) | Low to medium | Toxic | Very easy |
| Peace Lily | No (daytime) | Low | Toxic | Easy |
| Aloe Vera | Yes (CAM) | Medium to high | Mildly toxic | Easy |
| Spider Plant | No (daytime) | Indirect light | Yes | Easy |
| Boston Fern | No (daytime) | Indirect light | Yes | Moderate |
Where to Buy Bedroom Plants in Canada
One of the advantages of the plants on this list is that they are not specialty items. You do not need to search out a rare nursery. Most are widely available across Canada through several channels.
Local Garden Centres
In Brantford and the surrounding area, local garden centres are the best first stop. You get to see the plant before you buy it, ask staff questions, and bring it home the same day without any shipping stress. Locally purchased plants are already acclimatised to Ontario conditions, which gives them a head start compared to plants shipped long distances.
Look for healthy foliage without yellowing or spots, firm roots if you can check, and soil that is appropriately moist (not waterlogged). Spring and early summer are the best times to shop because selection is widest and prices are competitive.
Hardware and Home Improvement Stores
Home Depot and Canadian Tire both carry a solid selection of houseplants year-round, with expanded stock from late March through September. Prices are generally lower than specialty nurseries, and the plants are often in good condition. Snake plants, pothos, and spider plants are almost always in stock. Peace lilies and Boston ferns appear seasonally.
Grocery Stores and Supercentres
Loblaw, Real Canadian Superstore, and Walmart all carry houseplants, particularly in spring. The selection is limited and the plants have sometimes been sitting under fluorescent lights a bit too long, but for common varieties like pothos and snake plants you can find decent specimens. Check the soil moisture and look for signs of root health before purchasing.
Online Nurseries
Several Canadian online nurseries ship live plants to most provinces. Notably:
- Bloomscape Canada / Canadian equivalents: Several small-batch Canadian nurseries ship year-round with heat packs in colder months.
- Etsy plant sellers: Many Canadian sellers on Etsy offer cuttings and small plants at reasonable prices. Look for sellers with strong recent feedback and photo reviews.
- Facebook Marketplace and local plant groups: These are underrated sources. Many people propagate houseplants and sell or give away cuttings locally. In Hamilton, Brantford, and across Ontario you can find healthy pothos and snake plant cuttings for a few dollars or free.
Finding Plants Near Brantford
If you are in the Brantford area, the local farmers markets in spring and summer often include vendors selling houseplants at fair prices. The Paris and Brantford markets both draw plant vendors from May onward. Local buying keeps your dollars in the community and gives you a chance to ask the grower directly how the plant was raised. For winter purchases, Home Depot on King George Road and Canadian Tire locations nearby are reliable year-round options.
Care Tips for Bedroom Plants
A dead plant in your bedroom is not adding oxygen or improving your mood. The care guidelines below are the basics that apply to most of the species on this list.
Watering
The most common mistake with houseplants is overwatering. Most bedroom plants, especially snake plants and pothos, prefer to dry out between waterings. Push your finger an inch into the soil. If it is still moist, wait. If it is dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot, then let it drain fully before putting it back in its decorative pot or saucer.
Water quality matters more than most people realise. Tap water in many Ontario municipalities contains chlorine and fluoride. These generally do not harm most plants at normal levels, but sensitive species like peace lilies and spider plants do better with filtered water or water that has sat out overnight, allowing some chlorine to dissipate.
Light
Bedrooms vary enormously in light. If your bedroom faces south or west and gets direct afternoon sun, aloe vera will be happiest. If it faces north or east and gets soft morning light, snake plants and peace lilies are more forgiving. Pothos will survive almost anywhere with ambient light.
Avoid placing plants directly beside heating vents or radiators. Forced air heat dries them out faster than normal and can cause leaf curl and browning tips on ferns and peace lilies.
Humidity
Ontario winters are dry. Indoor relative humidity often drops to 25-30% when heating systems run continuously. Most tropical houseplants prefer 40-60% relative humidity. A simple inexpensive hygrometer from any hardware store will tell you where your bedroom sits. If humidity is low, grouping plants together helps (they create a micro-humid environment around themselves), or a small humidifier near your plant cluster works well.
Fertilising
Most bedroom plants only need fertilising during the growing season, which in Canada runs roughly May through September. A balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength, applied once a month during that period, is sufficient for most of the species listed here. Snake plants and pothos are even more tolerant and can go without any fertiliser for a full year without visible decline.
Repotting
Plants need repotting when their roots start to circle the bottom of the pot or push out of the drainage holes. For bedroom plants kept in moderate light with infrequent watering, this typically happens every one to two years. Move up one pot size at a time, using fresh potting mix appropriate for the plant type (cactus mix for snake plants and aloe, standard potting mix for pothos and peace lilies).
Simple Rule for Bedroom Plant Watering
Set a phone reminder every ten days to check your plants. Do not water on a schedule. Instead, check the soil each time the reminder goes off and water only if needed. This single habit prevents both overwatering and forgetting entirely, and it takes about thirty seconds per plant.
Choosing the Right Pot
Pot choice affects plant health more than most people expect. There are three things to consider: drainage, material, and size.
Drainage
Every plant pot used for growing should have at least one drainage hole in the bottom. Without drainage, water accumulates in the soil and roots rot. This is the primary reason bedroom plants die. If you love a decorative pot without drainage, use it as a sleeve: grow the plant in a standard nursery pot with drainage holes, then set that pot inside the decorative one. Empty any water that collects in the bottom of the outer pot after watering.
Material
Terra cotta is the traditional choice and remains excellent for plants that prefer to dry out between waterings, including snake plants and aloe. Terra cotta is porous, allowing the soil to breathe and excess moisture to evaporate through the walls of the pot. This natural moisture regulation reduces overwatering risk.
Plastic pots retain moisture longer, which suits plants like peace lilies and Boston ferns that prefer more consistent moisture. They are also lighter, which matters if you are putting a large plant on a shelf or dresser.
Ceramic and glazed pots sit between terra cotta and plastic in terms of moisture retention. They look good and are widely available in Canada at places like HomeSense, IKEA, and local garden centres. Just confirm drainage holes are present before purchasing.
Size
A pot that is too large for the plant encourages root rot because the excess soil stays wet long after the plant has absorbed what it needs. A pot that is too small restricts root growth and dries out too quickly. A good rule: the pot diameter should be roughly one to two inches larger than the diameter of the root ball when repotting. For bedroom plants in limited space, smaller and more frequent repotting beats one oversized pot.
Dorothy, Sleep Specialist: "Customers sometimes ask us whether bedroom plants make a real difference to sleep. I always tell them the effect is real, but it is more about the room feeling calmer and more pleasant than a dramatic oxygen boost. If you pair a good plant with a mattress that keeps you at the right temperature, you have genuinely improved your sleep environment. We see that combination work well for a lot of Brantford families."
How Plants Fit Into a Better Sleep Environment
Plants are one piece of a larger picture. Research on sleep environment consistently shows that temperature, light, sound, and surface comfort have a larger effect on sleep quality than air quality alone. That does not mean plants are not worth having. It means they work best as part of a thoughtful bedroom setup.
Temperature is the most controllable factor in most bedrooms. Research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that core body temperature needs to drop about 1-2°C during sleep onset. A bedroom that is too warm disrupts this process. The ideal sleep temperature for most adults is 16-19°C. A Boston fern adding humidity to a dry room can make that target feel more comfortable at a higher thermostat setting, which is a genuine, if indirect, sleep benefit.
Plants that improve air quality by reducing VOCs from furniture, adhesives, and synthetic materials are contributing to a healthier room overall. Peace lilies and spider plants are particularly effective at this. If you have newer furniture or flooring in your bedroom that off-gases, these plants are worth having for that reason alone.
Your mattress is where sleep is actually won or lost. A mattress that traps heat, creates pressure points, or causes you to wake with back pain will override any benefit your plants provide. At Mattress Miracle, we have been helping Brantford families find the right sleep surface since 1997. Our Restonic ComfortCare Queen, with 1,222 individually wrapped coils, is one of the most recommended options for couples who run warm. Brad and the team can walk you through what will work for your specific situation.
If you want to explore pillow options that support your sleep position, our guide to pillows for side sleepers covers the specifics. For mattress protectors that keep your sleep surface clean and temperature-regulated, our mattress protector collection has options that pair well with any bedroom plant setup.
The goal is a bedroom that feels genuinely restful: the right temperature, some greenery, a surface that supports your body, and enough quiet and dark to let your nervous system wind down. Plants contribute to that goal. They do not replace the other elements.
VOCs and Bedroom Air Quality
Volatile organic compounds are emitted by many common bedroom materials including synthetic mattresses, carpeting, painted walls, and pressed wood furniture. Common VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified indoor air as often more polluted than outdoor air in urban environments. Peace lilies, spider plants, and snake plants showed measurable reductions in these compounds in controlled studies. While real-world results are more modest than the original NASA research suggested, there is a meaningful case for including these plants in rooms with newer furniture or recent renovations.
How Many Plants Do You Actually Need?
For a typical Canadian bedroom of 12 to 14 square metres, two to four medium-sized plants is a practical and aesthetically reasonable number. More than that starts to feel cluttered, requires more maintenance, and produces diminishing returns on air quality. One snake plant on the nightstand for overnight oxygen, one larger pothos or peace lily for daytime air quality, and possibly one small aloe vera on the windowsill is a setup that covers most of the benefit without becoming a full-time hobby.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Do bedroom plants actually increase oxygen while you sleep?
Yes, but modestly. Most plants produce oxygen during daylight hours only. CAM plants like snake plants and aloe vera are the exception: they take in carbon dioxide at night and release oxygen then. In a normal bedroom, two to four of these plants will have a small but real effect on overnight air quality. The bigger benefit is often reduced VOCs and improved mood rather than a dramatic oxygen boost.
Is it safe to sleep in a room with plants?
Yes, for most people. The idea that plants consume harmful amounts of oxygen at night is a myth. In a standard bedroom, the amount of CO2 plants produce at night is negligible compared to what a sleeping adult exhales. The main safety consideration is toxicity to pets or children. Snake plants, pothos, and peace lilies are mildly to moderately toxic if ingested. Spider plants and Boston ferns are safe for both cats and dogs.
Where can I buy bedroom plants in Canada in winter?
Year-round options include Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Walmart, and most large grocery chains. Online nurseries that ship within Canada are another option, especially for less common varieties. Local Facebook groups and Marketplace are worth checking: many Canadians propagate houseplants and sell or trade cuttings locally, even in winter.
What pots are best for bedroom plants in Canadian homes?
Terra cotta pots are ideal for plants that prefer to dry out between waterings, like snake plants and aloe. Plastic pots suit plants that prefer consistent moisture, like peace lilies and Boston ferns. Any pot must have drainage holes. If your decorative pot lacks drainage, use it as a sleeve around a nursery pot and empty accumulated water after watering.
Does Mattress Miracle carry any sleep accessories that help with bedroom environment?
We do. We carry mattress protectors, pillows, and bedding accessories at our Brantford showroom at 441½ West Street. If you are working on improving your sleep environment and want help finding the right sleep surface to go with your new plants, our team is happy to help. No commission pressure, just honest advice.
Sources
- Wolverton, B.C., Johnson, A., and Bounds, K. (1989). Interior landscape plants for indoor air pollution abatement. NASA Technical Report. ntrs.nasa.gov
- Cummings, B.E., and Waring, M.S. (2019). Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: A review and analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, 30, 253–261. doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0175-9
- Bringslimark, T., Hartig, T., and Patil, G.G. (2009). The psychological benefits of indoor plants: A critical review of the experimental literature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(4), 422–433. doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.05.001
- Okamoto-Mizuno, K., and Mizuno, K. (2012). Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 31(1), 14. doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-31-14
- Nieuwenhuis, M., et al. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus lean office space. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 20(3), 199–214. doi.org/10.1037/xap0000024
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Introduction to Indoor Air Quality. epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
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If you are working on your bedroom environment and want a sleep surface that works as hard as your new snake plant, come in and talk to Brad or Dorothy. We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997.
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