The multifaceted role of indoor plants: A comprehensive review of their impact on air quality, health, and perception

Indoor air pollution has emerged as a critical concern in recent years, significantly affecting human health, comfort and wellbeing. As individuals spend approximately 80-90% of their time indoors, the quality of indoor environments plays a pivotal role in shaping health outcomes and overall comfort. The prevalence of health concerns like Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) highlights the critical necessity for efficient indoor air quality (IAQ) management techniques. The use of botanical biofilters is identified as a cost-effective and energy-efficient method for reducing indoor gaseous pollution. This review analyses the current research regarding the influence of indoor plants on air quality, methodology for pollution assessment and the health effects of indoor pollutants. The pollutant-removal efficacy of various plant species, particularly in tropical ecosystems is also examined. The results support the investigation of multi-pollutant systems to improve indoor environmental quality. By synthesizing current knowledge, this review contributes to the development of plant-based filtration systems and informs sustainable building strategies that integrate energy-efficient and health-promoting design elements towards fostering healthier and more sustainable indoor spaces.