Keeping plants in the bedroom

[Tindomul]

Well, first off it is not dangerous to keep plants in the bedroom. Even though they do produce some carbon dioxide during their dark cycle of photosynthesis, they still produce more oxygen, and don't make enough CO2 to kill anyone.

The subject of whether or not someone could asphyxiate by having plants in your bedroom recently came up in mailing list for the international aroid society. Thankfully knowledgeable people quickly disproved it. However it came to our knowledge that in the past this was a serious concern. And the proposed solution to the problem was I think hilarious!
The following was written by another IAS member:


The attached picture shows a person sleeping in a manner recommended by
Bernarr Macfadden in his famous “Encyclopedia of Physical Culture”, Volume 1
(of five), 1924 (Chapter II, ?How to Keep Healthy?). The person’s bed is
situated in a window, opening onto a balcony, with the head immersed in
fresh air and the body sheltered somewhat from the cold and elements by
remaining indoors.

While Macfadden was thinking here of guarding against asphyxiation by one?s
own exhalations, laden as they are with CO2, this set up could just as well
serve the typical Aroid Society member worried about the dangers of sleeping
in the same darkened room as an Anthurium or even (for daring risk-takers) a
large Philodendron.

In his prime, mainly from about 1920 to 1935, Macfadden was widely followed
in the U.S. and elsewhere and became quite wealthy by publishing fare such
as this.

[trdyl]

Tin, I have to agree with you. I am living proof that plants don't kill. As a teenager I had over 100 orchids plus a few token ferns in my 10 X 15 foot bedroom. There was barely room for a bed.

[Blueszz]

I'm also still alive and when I would sleep with my head outdoors I would be soaking wet from the rain most of the nights... besides me ears might freeze ;-)
Thanks for sharing.
Nicole

[Lagoon]

I've not had any orchids in my bedroom, but as a kid we did have alot of cactus in our room. we've not had any problems with those.

Had a number of conversations about keeping roses in the bedroom and waking up to the sweets scents - I was warned a number of times. you're going to wake up with headaches, so I never tried that either,LOL!

[isurus79]

How funny! Some people believe the silliest things. I wonder what people 100 years in the future will laugh at that we are afraid of now!

[Paul]

That was a new one! Yet I imagine these are the same people who allow their spouse, child, or pet(s) sleep in the same room with them. If your worried about a plant, you should be downright terrified of sleeping in the same room with any sort of animal or person.

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by Paul

That was a new one! Yet I imagine these are the same people who allow their spouse, child, or pet(s) sleep in the same room with them. If your worried about a plant, you should be downright terrified of sleeping in the same room with any sort of animal or person.
:rolleyes:

[Beverly]

I have 53 orchids in my bedroom, 11 of which are in bloom.
I find sharing a room with them easier then with my husband. He snores, my orchids dont.

Beverly

[Tindomul]

You guys are all too funny.
And its true, you are in greater danger when sleeping with other animals or people.

[camille1585]

That's a very popular myth in France. I've also heard that over and over in my family when I was little ("Don't put a plant in your room, it will make you sick at night!"), I'm sharing the same 16m² space with 40 orchids and a guinea pig, and I'm fine! But what about a super stinky bulbo? In such a small space you're bound to wake up feeling nauseous!