14 Low Maintenance Plants for a Relaxing Bedroom Escape

various houseplants in containers resting on a wooden table
Photo: Jason Donnelly

You might already have houseplants adding color and life to the rest of your home, but in a bedroom, indoor plants work, too. Scientific studies have shown that plants can reduce stress and increase productivity, making your space the perfect environment to unwind after a long day. There's a wide selection of terrific low-maintenance plants for bedrooms—the 14 below are particularly beautiful and easy to care for.

More plants die from too much moisture than the other way around, so it's important to avoid overwatering your plants. Keep a plastic or ceramic plant saucer below the plant. This will keep moisture from damaging carpet or wood surfaces. Above all, never let your houseplant sit in standing water.

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Parlor Palm

Parlor Palm in cream colored pot
Mike Jensen

The parlor palm is an ideal bedroom companion because it prefers indirect light and can grow with average home humidity (though it grows best with high humidity). Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy or soaked. When watering, let the soil get barely dry to the touch, then water thoroughly.

Light: Bright, indirect light to low light

Soil:
Peaty potting mix; evenly moist

Size: Up to 8 feet tall, though tends to reach closer to 3 feet indoors

02 of 14

Snake Plant

four potted snake plants and one hanging
Jacob Fox

The snake plant might have a creepy common name, but it's a winner in terms of maintenance. Silvery striations cover the green swordlike leaves, making it a perfect plant for the bedroom. A little-known fact: The snake plant is technically a succulent, so it can thrive in low-moisture environments.

Light: Partial to low light

Soil:
Sandy, well-drained

Size: Up to 4 feet tall

03 of 14

Moth Orchid

Moth Orchid
Peter Krumhardt

A blooming orchid exudes serenity, making it the perfect plant for a relaxing yet stylish bedroom. The moth orchid, which is named for its petals' resemblance to a moth's rounded wings, is the easiest orchid to grow. Because they originate in tropical regions, moth orchids prefer high humidity and will do best in an east- or west-facing window.

Moth orchids bloom once a year, but you can expect them to stay in bloom for weeks or even months before the blossoms fall off the flower spike. Place the orchid in a saucer or cachepot to keep any excess moisture from damaging furniture or flooring.

Light: Medium to low light

Soil:
Moss or bark; well-drained

Size: Up to 3 feet tall

04 of 14

Pothos

Pothos plant in ombre blue and orange terra-cotta pot on a wooden shelf
Blaine Moats

Pothos is one of the easiest indoor plants to grow. The thick leaves store water, and its vining nature makes it easy to clip to keep at the size you like. Grow it in almost any light condition, and keep the soil on the dry side. Pothos grows with light yellow or white variegation, but if you prefer solid-color leaves, you can select its cousin, the heartleaf philodendron, as an equally low-maintenance plant for your bedroom.

Light: Bright, indirect light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 15 feet long

05 of 14

Dracaena

three green plants in assorted pots on wood floor
Jacob Fox

Easy to care for and easy on the eyes, dracaena grows long, slender, strappy leaves that curve attractively from a central stem. The leaves can be variegated in a variety of different colors, including pink, red, yellow, and cream. Dracaenas grow best in bright, indirect light, but will hold their color even in low-light situations, making it a perfect plant for bedrooms.

Light: Bright, indirect light to medium light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 10 feet tall

06 of 14

ZZ Plant

ZZ plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Kindra Clineff

If you want a plant that performs like (and even resembles) an artificial one, check out the ZZ plant. Dark green, shiny leaves grow across each stalk, forming a tight yet eye-catching funnel of greenery. It gets its common name from the initials of its botanical name, Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Because it grows with an underground storage unit, the ZZ plant can store water for long periods, making it a great option if you travel frequently (or forget to water).

Light: Bright to low light

Soil:
Potting soil; well-drained

Size: Up to 3 feet tall

07 of 14

Scented Geranium

Scented geranium
Dean Schoeppner

Who needs dresser drawer sachets when you have a houseplant with a beautiful aroma? Relatives of the ordinary household geranium, scented geranium flowers less frequently but makes up for its lack of petals with its leaf fragrance, which comes in an astounding variety of scents, including apricot, rose, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon, mint, pineapple, ginger, lime, coconut, chocolate, and more. This varietal requires a bit more upkeep than some others on this list—you should remove any faded flowers or leaves as you notice them to create a bushier plant.

Light: Bright light to medium light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 3 feet tall

08 of 14

Rubber Tree

rubber tree plant geometric planter
Marty Baldwin

A rubber tree makes an attractive statement in a bright- to medium-light nook or corner of the bedroom, growing larger and fuller with the years. The only thing you need to do to keep this plant's eye-catching leaves shiny is to carefully dust them every now and then. Keep it in check with occasional pruning, but avoid contact with the milky sap that gives this plant its common name—it can irritate the skin.

Light: Bright light to medium light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 8 feet tall

09 of 14

Peace Lily

Peace Lily Spathiphyllum wallisii 'Domino'
Blaine Moats

For a serene bedroom setting, choose a tranquil peace lily. This easy-to-grow gem lends a tropical feel to the room and is a good choice for gardeners inclined to overwater plants as it can take wetter soil than most. Its glossy green pointed leaves will grow with little care and can be groomed by removing any browned leaves or leaf tips; the white flowers will bloom in the spring. Depending on the size of your plant, you can grow it as a floor plant or on a tabletop.

Light: Bright light to low light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 4 feet tall

10 of 14

Arrowhead Vine

Syngonium podophyllum 'Arrow' arrowhead vine
William N. Hopkins

Almost as easy to grow as a pothos—and twice as exciting in its leaf variegation—the arrowhead vine flourishes in various light conditions. Its dark green leaves are marked with white along the veins; some varieties show more white coloration. You can use it in a hanging basket for a boho vibe or let the soft-looking leaves trail down the side of a shelf, dresser, or armoire.

Light: Medium light to low light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained

Size: Up to 3 feet tall

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Cast-Iron Plant

Aspidistra elatior green plant
Denny Schrock

The cast-iron plant almost thrives on neglect, so if you want a pop of greenery without thinking much about it, this is the plant for you. The cast iron plant lives up to its name by being tough, and drought-tolerant, with wide, deep green leaves that tend to droop when they need water. Plus, the manageable size means you can set it on top of a dresser or place it on a pedestal for more prominence. It's an ideal plant for a bedroom in any decorating style.

Light: Low light

Soil:
Potting soil; moist but well-drained in the spring and summer, drier in fall and winter

Size: Up to 2 feet tall

12 of 14

Fiddle Leaf Fig

Fiddle Leaf Fig
Marty Baldwin

One of the most popular indoor trees thanks to its shiny, organically shaped leaves, the fiddle leaf fig provides great height and a substantial presence in a large room. Luckily, pruning is as easy as clipping branches and fertilizing. Dusting the glossy leaves is the only other care this low-maintenance plant needs (other than watering, of course).

Light: Bright light to low light

Soil:
Potting soil; well-drained

Size: Up to 12 feet tall

13 of 14

Lavender

lavender in blue and gray pot
Laurie Black

Lavender is a common stress-relieving scent and will help lull you into deeper, more restorative sleep. This makes it a perfect plant for the bedroom, as long as you have a spot that boasts plenty of sunlight. Make sure it's planted in a large enough pot, too—the roots should have plenty of space and shouldn't be circling around the inside of the pot.

Light: Bright light

Soil:
Potting soil; well-drained

Size: Up to 2 feet tall, depending on variety

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Jasmine

jasmine houseplant in white pot
Dean Schoeppner

Jasmine is often found scenting beauty products and fragrance diffusers, and it's a lovely and relaxing note to add to your bedroom if you're looking for a plant that brings a little something extra to your space. The blooms of this plant open at night, timing itself perfectly with your nighttime routine. In addition, Jasmine plants are known to be long-lasting in the home and add a dot of crisp white to decor.

Light: Medium light

Soil:
Potting soil; well-drained

Size: Up to 2 feet tall

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the best pot for a houseplant?

    When deciding on a container for your houseplant, it's important to first look for a style that has a saucer or dish at its base. You'll likely be watering plants all over the house and you don't want whatever liquid leaks from the base to ruin the surfaces around your home. Secondly, if your plant is one that prefers well-drained soil, you can choose a clay or terra-cotta pot that will wick away excess moisture from the soil.

  • What is the best low-light houseplant?

    There are a variety of houseplants that can thrive in low-light conditions. They include English ivy, monstera, and dieffenbachia.

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