A new study from the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) reveals that houseplants and sophisticated indoor green systems, such as living walls and hydroponic towers, can significantly enhance indoor humidity, thermal comfort, and overall health in buildings. Published in the journal Building and Environment, this research addresses the previously overlooked effects of indoor green infrastructure compared to the more extensive understanding of outdoor urban greening.
The study involved a collaborative effort among 35 experts from various countries, including the UK, USA, Australia, and Brazil, as part of the GREENIN Micro Network Plus project. It established a ten-question framework that evaluates the impact of indoor greening across multiple dimensions—technical, microbiological, health, socio-economic, and spatial—to provide a clearer understanding of how indoor plants affect environmental quality. This extensive analysis compared 26 different indoor greening systems, equipping designers and building managers with actionable insights regarding their effectiveness.
Findings indicate that larger indoor greening systems can create more comfortable indoor conditions, potentially making spaces feel up to two degrees cooler, irrespective of actual temperatures. Some engineered systems have been shown to reduce levels of fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, although these effects vary depending on specific factors such as plant density and lighting. Additionally, there is preliminary evidence that these green installations may enhance the indoor microbiome by introducing beneficial microbes.
Professor Prashant Kumar, the lead author, emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of indoor plants, stating, “People spend around 90 percent of their lives indoors, but surprisingly, we still understand very little about how indoor plant systems can reshape those environments.” He highlights that realizing the full potential of indoor greening requires a strategic approach that considers the right systems, lighting, and ongoing maintenance.
Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges the need for further comprehensive research. Previous studies often involved overly simplified experimental setups that do not accurately reflect real-world environments. The authors advocate for long-term studies in actual buildings, which would take into account factors such as lighting, ventilation, occupancy, and maintenance to better understand the long-term performance of indoor greening.
This research not only demonstrates the potential benefits of indoor planting but also provides vital evidence to inform future design practices aimed at improving air quality and well-being in urban spaces. By fostering interaction with nature in homes, schools, and other environments, indoor greening serves as a pragmatic solution for enhancing life quality in settings where natural elements are scarce.