Sleeping beauties

Do people grow plants in bedrooms? They certainly have them in lounges and dining rooms, in halls and bathrooms; in fact, just about anywhere they can. But bedrooms seem to be a bit of a no-go area.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Feb 2017, 13:17 BST
SLEEPING GIANT: Florists cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) may not be the biggest of plants but it is one of the most striking for growing in a bedroom.SLEEPING GIANT: Florists cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) may not be the biggest of plants but it is one of the most striking for growing in a bedroom.
SLEEPING GIANT: Florists cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) may not be the biggest of plants but it is one of the most striking for growing in a bedroom.

The reason seems that, once upon a time, it was believed that plants were a potential danger where people slept – under the cover of darkness all those leaves sucked oxygen out of the atmosphere. In fact, grow enough in a small bedroom and they could gang up and asphyxiate you.

Thankfully, common sense has prevailed and it’s now normally accepted that plants in bedrooms can actually do you some good, particularly those that are known to improve air quality.

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So, the likes of the asparagus fern (Asparagus umbellatus) and the floriferous Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) as well as being attractive and easy to grow and care for, are now quite popular in bedrooms.

Many foliage houseplants are quite at home in a bright but not over-warm bedroom where they can get on with their lives while you snooze away yours.

Coleus, the delightful little flame nettle, for example, will be quite happy in a sunnyish window. Keep it well-watered but never waterlogged, feed it weekly throughout summer (a little less in winter) and it should thrive. Encourage it to grow sturdy by pinching out the growing tips.

And that reliable old favourite the goosefoot plant (Syngonium podophyllum) will be only too happy in a less-sunny bedroom where it can avoid too much direct light. It appreciates decent humidity, so pop its pot on a bed of gravel in a saucer and keep the stones moist – moist air will then rise to massage the foliage.

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It doesn’t need too much watering or feeding, and can be kept trim and handsome by removing any damaged or wayward leaves.

Florists’ cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum), of course, are ideal plants for any bedroom where they can enjoy bright light and a moderate temperature. Water with care and feed fortnightly in spring and summer (perhaps monthly in winter).

Some people keep them blooming year-round but, if you like, let the plant have a dormant period to help it build up its strength for another flowering season.

There are certain plants best kept out of the bedroom – large ones and those with overpowering or unpleasant fragrances that do not encourage sweet dreams.