There’s a long-standing myth that keeping plants in the bedroom is a bad idea. Some people worry that green roommates will “steal” your oxygen while you sleep, but that’s just not true. While it’s true they don’t produce oxygen at night (since they need light for photosynthesis), they certainly aren’t going to leave you gasping for air!
Plants in the Bedroom
Just like in any other part of your home, bedroom plants add a lovely decorative touch. While they don’t have a magical effect on air quality compared to your living room plants, they definitely make the space feel more cozy and serene.
Rubber Trees in the Bedroom
If you’re wondering whether a Rubber Tree (*Ficus elastica*) is the right fit for your sleeping quarters, it really comes down to two things:
- The light levels in the room
- Your sleeping habits (specifically, the temperature)
Lighting Conditions
In many homes, bedrooms aren’t exactly the brightest rooms in the house. This can be a bit of a struggle for a Rubber Tree, as it really craves plenty of bright sunlight to grow its best. If you’re the type who keeps the curtains drawn all day to keep the room cool, your Ficus might start feeling a little neglected and light-starved.
However, if you have an east- or west-facing bedroom, your plant will be happy as long as you let that morning or evening sun stream in. Just a heads-up: if your window faces south, you’ll want to protect your Rubber Tree from that intense, scorching midday sun so the leaves don’t burn.
Room Temperature
To really thrive, a Rubber Tree needs a nice balance of light and warmth. They prefer temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (15-20°C), which is usually right in the sweet spot for a bedroom. But if you’re someone who likes to sleep in a “refrigerator” (very cold temperatures), your Ficus might suffer in the long run.
Beyond the thermostat setting, think about your window habits. Do you like to sleep with the window cracked? Rubber Trees are notoriously picky about drafts—they absolutely hate them.
If you combine cold winter air with a drafty window, your *Ficus elastica* is going to be pretty unhappy. It has a very clear way of telling you it’s miserable: the leaves will start turning brown. This can even happen if you keep the windows shut at night but blast the plant with a burst of freezing air while airing out the room in the morning.
