Research results on the effect of indoor plants

Degrading pollutants, moisten breathing air and increase concentration – plants are a green balm in the interior – Environmental Consultant Lanzinger in an interview on the mode of action

How are green plants beneficial to health?

If you take the positive effects as a whole at 100 percent: the feeling of well-being and job satisfaction make up the majority with 55 percent, 30 percent improvement of the indoor climate, 8 percent reduction of dust pollution, 6 percent soundproofing and 1 percent filtering pollutants. So they contribute to health promotion.

Why is the feel-good factor so high?

Green is a color that has a calming effect. Psychologists assume that the longing for nature is still within us and we get a part of nature through the houseplants. There are also a great many studies that clearly show that people in green areas are more focused, more comfortable, and that children prefer to go to green schools. According to scientific findings, the color green calms the nervous system and lowers the blood pressure.

So the psychological aspect is high.

Yes, that plays the biggest role. A university study from 2011 found that people in green spaces are less ill and also perform better because they are less stressed. (study abstracts plants for people)

Why do the plants contribute to the reduction of dust?

The plants release water vapor, which is why dust from the room air also binds to the leaves. Therefore, the dust load in the air of the interior becomes less. On the other hand, the dust is heavier due to the increased humidity and falls to the ground, so you have less dust in the air. The humidity therefore works twice.

Keyword Room Climate: What is the ‘Sick Building Syndrome’?

This syndrome occurs mainly in offices with air conditioning, the term comes from America. People in air-conditioned rooms complained more and more about dry skin, coughing, throat and headaches.

The doctors have summarized these various symptoms under the name Sick Building Syndrome. Meanwhile, it has come to the conclusion that plants are better than natural air conditioning and act as a humidifier.

Do green plants actually help reduce pollutants? For example, is nicotine also broken down?

It has been proven that the plants can actually degrade pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and also nicotine (by the green lily, note). Above all, nicotine can degrade the root microbes associated with the plant. There are examinations for this purpose, for example at the University of Cologne and at the University of Applied Sciences for Horticulture in Weihenstephan.

Are the examination results consistent?

The studies are very different in their effect. There is also a study in Australia that has shown the reduction of 50 to 70 percent of pollutants.

Will the plants then recycle these pollutants?

No. They actually reduce the pollutants. Either with the enzymes in their leaves or the enzymes in the root microbes.

Are there exceptions, can indoor plants be harmful?

In the bedroom you should avoid fragrant plants, because allergies to perfumes may arise. For example, bromeliads or orchids are recommended for dormitories because they absorb carbon dioxide at night. Pollen allergy sufferers should be wary of flowering plants. Latex allergy sufferers may be allergic to the birch fig (Ficus Benjamina) – not only through contact but also through the breath. It may be that a bit of the leaf juice is released, it connects to the air and is inhaled.

What about mold?

Forms a mold lawn, you should scrape off the top layer or not let it come so far and pour less. Mold spores can also cause allergies. A tip: You can spread two to three inches of sand on the surface. When fertilizing you should use organic fertilizer for environmental reasons.

What should one pay attention to when having children?

Children should not put plants in their mouths, you can possibly put them higher. Arum family (eg tree friend (Philodendron) and the Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia) have needles in the leaves, mucous membranes can easily inflame when children put the leaves in the higher degree in the mouth, which may also occur in the milkweed family (containing latex latex juice) ,

However, it is not acutely dangerous when it happens. Bulbs should not be stored in the kitchen because of the risk of confusion – the Amaryllis has, for example, irritant substances in the onions.

There is a trend towards edible flowers. What should one pay attention to?

By contrast, there is nothing to say, flowers make a good visual impression and there are many flowers that taste very good. However, it is important that you have good plant knowledge, if you collect yourself. If you build yourself in the garden, you should definitely fertilize biologically. (Marietta Türk, derStandard.at)