5 Houseplants You Should Never Keep in Your Bedroom

Growing houseplants is more work than you might initially expect. It’s not as simple as just picking any plant and placing it anywhere in your home – different plants thrive in different conditions, so you need to think carefully about which plants to put in which rooms. Not only that, but you also need to consider which plants contribute to the feelings you want to evoke in specific rooms. For example, the best bedroom plants often help create a peaceful sanctuary – this is especially true in Feng Shui practices. On the flip side, there are a number of houseplants you should never keep in your bedroom.

1. Snake Plant

You might be surprised to see snake plants at the top of the list, especially since they’re considered one of the best air-purifying indoor plants. However, experts say there are a few reasons to avoid placing them in a room where you want to relax. “I don’t recommend snake plants because they have sword-like, sharp leaves that are draining,” says feng shui expert Suzanne Roynon. “They can cause fatigue, tension, stress, harsh conversations, and sharp words. None of these are really conducive to a harmonious, balanced environment,” she explains.

While many people believe that snake plants help with better sleep, you may actually find that they are a disruptive addition to your bedroom. On top of that, it’s a poisonous plant that gives off unpleasant energy.

2. Cactus

Like snake plants, cactus also has sharp leaves, which aren’t ideal for creating a relaxing environment in the bedroom. Of course, there are a wide variety of cacti and indoor succulents, or all different shapes, but those with sharp leaves are the ones to avoid. “Be careful with anything that looks sharp or dangerous, like a cactus,” says licensed psychologist and feng shui expert Hannah Yang, Psy.D. ‘The spiky leaves can give off a threatening energy,’ she adds.

When relocating your cacti, be careful not to choose them as bathroom plants. Cacti are native to dry environments and don’t thrive in the humid, humid environment of the bathroom.

3. Euphorbia trigona

It’s not only wise to avoid plants that block energy in our bedrooms, but it’s also wise not to choose any toxic or irritating plants. For example, Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree), a plant famous for its tall spikes, is known for its irritating sap and is toxic if ingested by humans or pets. ‘As an interior designer and florist, I’ve worked with houseplants in many spaces, including bedrooms, where the choice of plants can greatly affect comfort and energy,’ says Magda Gallari.

"Bedrooms are places to relax, and the risk of accidental contact with irritating euphorbia houseplants makes them less ideal for this area," she explains. As a pet-safe indoor plant alternative to the African milkweed, try growing the mother of millions, the Kalanchoe. It's a succulent plant with a similar skeletal appearance, and you'll also find its little ones hanging from the leaves that you can spread out.

4. Peace Lily

You may have heard that some houseplants absorb moisture, which happens through leaf absorptivity, but some houseplants also evaporate more than others, creating a humid environment. Peace lilies are included on this list with other indoor flowering plants. Transpiration is the process by which plants lose water through evaporation, such as sweating. Flowering plants have higher transpiration rates than others because their leaves and stomata have pores.

The advantage of this is that peace lilies are great at helping other houseplants increase humidity. However, as Magda points out: 'If you already live in a humid climate or want a dry, comfortable sleeping environment, this is not ideal.

5. Calathea

Calatheas are known for being tricky. They can quickly have a dramatic reaction to improper care, which is why it is important to avoid calathea mistakes and find the optimal location for these plants in your home - including providing enough light. To properly care for calatheas, they need plenty of light exposure, and will benefit from it in the early morning. For this reason, Avoid having curtains in the room that are closed for a few hours during the day.

Lack of light can stunt the growth of your calathea, causing the leaves of calathea to curl or lose their beautiful color, which makes them so popular. If your calathea is not growing in very bright light, you are unlikely to see the leaves moving up and down (these plants earn the common name 'prayer plant').