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5 Reasons to Put a Snake Plant in Your Bedroom
Looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance houseplant that also boosts your well-being? Meet the Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. With its sculptural foliage and powerful air-purifying qualities, it’s one of the best indoor plants for your home…especially your bedroom.
Keep reading to see why this timeless favorite belongs by your bed.
1. The Snake Plant Is a Powerful Oxygen Producer
All plants release oxygen, but the Snake Plant stands out for how efficiently it does so. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, the Snake Plant is among the top house plants for oxygen production and air purification.
Higher oxygen levels can promote better, deeper sleep and overall improved air quality. By placing a potted Snake Plant in your bedroom, you can breathe easier while you rest—literally.
2. It Produces Oxygen at Night
Unlike most plants, which only release oxygen during the day through photosynthesis, the Snake Plant continues to do so even at night.
That means while you’re sleeping, your Snake Plant is actively purifying the air and producing fresh oxygen, making it the perfect bedside indoor plant companion. It helps maintain a cleaner, fresher environment and may even help reduce nighttime congestion or snoring.
Best Snake Plants for Bedrooms
Low-light tolerant, oxygen-producing, and easy to care for, these snake plants are ideal for bedrooms.
3. It Naturally Filters Out Toxins and Pollutants
Indoor air pollution is often worse than outdoor air pollution, largely due to everyday household items like cleaning products, carpets, and furniture. The Snake Plant helps combat this.
NASA’s study found that Snake Plants remove common toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene, harmful chemicals frequently found in homes and offices. This makes it an excellent option for anyone concerned about pests, allergens, or stale air.
By filtering these pollutants, the Snake Plant improves your bedroom’s air quality and creates a healthier space for relaxation and rest.
4. It Can Help Reduce Allergies
Because the Snake Plant filters toxins and increases oxygen levels, it can also help reduce allergy symptoms. Cleaner, more oxygen-rich air means fewer irritants circulating in your bedroom environment.
For anyone who experiences nighttime allergies or mild respiratory sensitivities, a Snake Plant can make a noticeable difference in air freshness and comfort.
5. It Thrives in Low Light and Requires Minimal Care
Another reason the Snake Plant is perfect for the bedroom: it’s nearly indestructible.
Snake Plants thrive in a wide range of lighting, from bright sunlight to dim corners with almost no natural light. They don’t require frequent watering and tolerate low humidity levels. In other words, they’re easy-to-grow and ideal for busy people or low-light spaces.
Simply water occasionally, let the soil dry between waterings, and enjoy lush, structured greenery all year long. With the right potting mix, your plant’s stems will stay strong and healthy without much effort.
Read more tips on easy Snake Plant care, or our full Snake Plant Care Guide here. And if you're still on the fence on whether the Snake Plant is for you, read our guide on what to know before buying a Snake Plant.
Most Asked Questions About Snake Plants
How much light does a Snake Plant need?
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are tolerant of a wide range of lighting conditions and can survive in low light, making them a good choice for locations with limited natural light. However, they will generally grow best in bright, indirect light and can also tolerate some direct sunlight.
If you are growing your snake plant indoors, a spot near an east- or west-facing window is generally a good choice. Snake plants can also be grown under fluorescent lights or in a greenhouse.
If you are growing your snake plant outdoors, choose a location with bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Avoid exposing your snake plant to strong, direct sunlight for extended periods of time, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or brown.
It's a good idea to keep an eye on your snake plant and observe how it is growing. If the leaves start to yellow or turn brown, it may be getting too much light and you may need to move it to a location with less direct sun. On the other hand, if the leaves are pale or elongated, it may not be getting enough light and you may need to move it to a brighter location.
Overall, snake plants are relatively low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for and will thrive in a wide range of lighting conditions.
How tall can a Snake Plant grow?
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are relatively slow-growing plants that typically reach a height of about 5 feet when grown indoors. However, they can occasionally grow taller, especially if grown in optimal conditions.
Outdoors, snake plants can potentially grow even taller, reaching a height of up to 6 feet or more in some cases. However, the size of a snake plant will depend on various factors, including the growing conditions, the pot's size, and the plant's age.
If you want to control the height of your snake plant, you can trim off the top of the plant to encourage it to grow more horizontally.
Overall, snake plants are relatively low-maintenance plants that are easy to care for and will thrive in a wide range of conditions. They are known for their attractive, elongated leaves and are a popular choice for indoor gardens.
How do I repot a snake plant?
To repot a snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), follow these steps:
Choose a new pot slightly larger than the old one, with drainage holes in the bottom.
Water the snake plant the day before you plan to repot it to make the soil easier to work with.
Gently remove the snake plant from its old pot by turning it upside down and gently pulling it on the base of the plant. If the plant is difficult to remove, you can try gently loosening the soil around the edges of the pot with a trowel or your fingers.
Shake off any excess soil from the roots of the plant.
Fill the bottom of the new pot with a layer of fresh potting soil.
Place the snake plant in the new pot and fill in around the roots with more potting soil. Be sure to leave enough space between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot to allow for watering.
Water the plant thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots.
If the plant is very pot-bound (the roots are growing in a dense mass), you may need to gently tease the roots apart to encourage new growth.
It's a good idea to repot your snake plant every few years or whenever the roots have outgrown the pot. Be sure to choose a pot slightly larger than the old one to give the roots plenty of room to grow. Snake plants prefer well-draining soil and should not be allowed to sit in standing water, so be sure to use a pot with drainage holes in the bottom.
Check out our Deluxe Repotting Kit to make repotting super easy.
Does a Snake Plant clean the air?
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are often cited as effective at cleaning indoor air. Like many plants, snake plants are able to absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This can help to improve the air quality in your home or office.
Additionally, snake plants have been shown to have the ability to filter out certain toxins and pollutants from the air. A study published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science found that snake plants were effective at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air.
While snake plants can be beneficial for air purification, it is important to remember that no single plant can completely clean the air in a room or home. The best approach to improving indoor air quality is to use a combination of plants and other strategies such as ventilation, air purifiers, and non-toxic cleaning products.
Overall, snake plants are attractive and low-maintenance plants that can be a good choice for improving the air quality in your home or office.
Sources
This article was written with insights from the certified Plant Doctors at Léon & George. Experts in botany and horticulture, our Plant Doctors are seasoned professionals with years of experience caring for plants, both in their work and at home as passionate hobbyists. Their guidance ensures that our plant care recommendations are rooted in scientific knowledge and practical expertise.
Léon & George customers enjoy free, 24/7 access to Plant Doctors through their account homepage. Not a customer but need expert advice? Book a video call or wellness visit today to keep your indoor greenery thriving.