Using Houseplants to Clean Indoor Air

Abstract

Indoor air pollution results from the release of chemical vapors and the suspension in the air of particulates such as dust and microorganisms. There are various ways to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality. Increasing ventilation and air exchange with the outside will help prevent the accumulation or reduce the amount of air pollutants indoors. Plants absorb volatile organic compounds from the air into their leaves and then translocate them to their root zone, where microbes break them down. While houseplants are not a “total solution” to improving indoor air quality, they should not be overlooked as an aid in creating interior spaces conducive to the health of those who occupy them.