Even among succulents, snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are some of the most striking and easiest to grow. But as popular as snake plants are, are they suitable for your bedroom? In this article, we’ll explore whether you can keep snake plants in your bedroom.
Can You Keep Snake Plants in the Bedroom?
According to Plant Benefits
Regardless of which type of snake plant you have, they can all provide some amazing benefits to your bedroom. Chief among these is that snake plants can help to purify the air. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, snake plants can help remove harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene and formaldehyde.
This can be a godsend if you suffer from asthma or related allergies. VOCs from carpets, cleaning products, and other household objects can exacerbate asthma symptoms. By helping to remove these VOCs from the air, snake plants could help you feel more relaxed in your bedroom.
Some studies have shown that houseplants, like snake plants, can help us sleep better. A Chinese study found that astronauts slept better if they could see or smell a plant. The astronauts could also regulate their central nervous systems better.
Snake plants are also helpful in killing mosquitos thanks to the saponin in their leaves.
According to Care Requirements
If you want to place a snake plant in your bedroom, it’s worth bearing the plant’s requirements in mind. Snake plants thrive in average household humidity but do need warm temperatures between 60 and 90ºF (15.5 to 32ºC). It’s also generally fine to keep your snake plants near radiators or heat sources.
These plants can tolerate various lighting conditions but prefer lots of bright, indirect light. Snake plants can also tolerate filtered light or partial shade. Bedrooms with east, south or west-facing windows are ideal for snake plants. Under optimal growing conditions, your snake plant can also flower.
According to Feng Shui
However, if you practice feng shui, snake plants might not be suitable for your bedroom. Feng shui focuses on the movement of energy or qi through your home. Arranging your home using the Bagua map and decorating according to feng shui principles cultivates positive energy.
One of the fundamental principles of feng shui is the balance between yin and yang. Yin energy is slow and relaxed, while yang energy is more active. Another major part of feng shui is the Five Elements Theory, which focuses on the elements of Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood.
Like all living plants, snake plants are associated with the Wood element, which is linked to growth, prosperity, and renewal. The Wood element also corresponds with active yang energy.
However, you don’t necessarily want your bedroom to be full of active energy. The bedroom is a place of rest and relaxation more associated with calmer yin energy. So positioning snake plants in your bedroom can disrupt the feng shui of the space.
Wrapping Up
For most people, snake plants are great for the bedroom because they can purify the air and may even help us sleep better. But if you practice feng shui, snake plants won’t be a great choice for the bedroom as they can replace calm yin energy with active yang energy.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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