Indoor gardening for aesthetic and healthy life style

Abstract

Due to increasing urbanization and industrialization, the major concern of all authorities are to find out the best way to get rid of outdoor as well as indoor air pollution problem. However, for outdoor air pollution, most of the efforts have been done to control but now much attention is needed to control indoor air pollution as contaminants are usually high in indoor places. Public health is a major issue due to indoor air pollution and indoor environment because most of the people in urban area spend more time inside as compared to outside. So, indoor plants and indoor gardening would be a better way to eradicate the emission of pollutants inside as well to make the indoor environment more lively and aesthetic. This review is mainly focusing on the indoor air pollution, its cause and how to improve the quality of indoor air by using indoor plants.

Full text

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The Pharma Innovation Journal 2021; SP-10(5): 382-389
ISSN (E): 2277- 7695
ISSN (P): 2349-8242
NAAS Rating: 5.23
TPI 2021; SP-10(5): 382-389
© 2021 TPI
www.thepharmajournal.com
Received: 27-02-2021
Accepted: 11-04-2021
Priyanshu Sharma
M. Sc Ag. Horticulture,
Floriculture and landscaping,
Department of Horticulture,
School of Agriculture, Lovely
Professional University
Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road
(NH-1), Phagwara, Punjab,
India
Thaneshwari
Assistant Professor, Floriculture
and landscaping, Department of
Horticulture, School of
Agriculture, Lovely Professional
University Jalandhar-Delhi G.T.
Road (NH-1), Phagwara,
Punjab, India
Sachin TM
M. Sc Ag. Horticulture,
Floriculture and landscaping,
Department of Horticulture,
School of Agriculture, Lovely
Professional University
Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road
(NH-1), Phagwara, Punjab,
India
Syed Mahaboob Akram
M. Sc Ag. Horticulture,
Floriculture and landscaping,
Department of Horticulture,
School of Agriculture, Lovely
Professional University
Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road
(NH-1), Phagwara, Punjab,
India
Corresponding Author:
Priyanshu Sharma
M. Sc Ag. Horticulture,
Floriculture and landscaping,
Department of Horticulture,
School of Agriculture, Lovely
Professional University
Jalandhar-Delhi G.T. Road
(NH-1), Phagwara, Punjab,
India
Indoor gardening for aesthetic and healthy life style
Priyanshu Sharma, Thaneshwari, Sachin TM and Syed Mahaboob Akram
Abstract
Due to increasing urbanization and industrialization, the major concern of all authorities are to find out
the best way to get rid of outdoor as well as indoor air pollution problem. However, for outdoor air
pollution, most of the efforts have been done to control but now much attention is needed to control
indoor air pollution as contaminants are usually high in indoor places. Public health is a major issue due
to indoor air pollution and indoor environment because most of the people in urban area spend more time
inside as compared to outside. So, indoor plants and indoor gardening would be a better way to eradicate
the emission of pollutants inside as well to make the indoor environment more lively and aesthetic. This
review is mainly focusing on the indoor air pollution, its cause and how to improve the quality of indoor
air by using indoor plants.
Keywords: Indoor plants, air pollution, happy minds, aquascaping and pollutants
Introduction
We all know that plants are an essential part of life as they provide us many things like food,
fiber, fuel, pharmaceuticals and building materials. Moreover they are used to decorate homes
from both inside and outside and also use to mark special occasions as in our culture, plants
has many spiritual values and man is born with these, live with these and finally dies with
these. Around the world people used to grow plants in containers and keep those containers in
their living rooms and plants has been considered beneficial to people, socially, physically and
mentally since thousand of years. Recently, it has been observed that working in garden makes
feel better to the people. It has been seen that plants are useful to solve both environmental and
health problems.
Now-a-days, due to more construction and changes in recent life style, people spend 80-90%
of the lives indoor and because of this, modern cities faces a number of health problems and
societal challenges viz. urbanization, climatic changes, ecological issues, environmental
quality and sustainable development (Raymond et al., 2017) [40]. Living style of urban people
is linked with many negative influences on the health of humans e.g. due to environmental
pollutants such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide, heavy metals, radionucleus, benzene etc.
Various health issues are associated with these pollutants such as stroke, cardio-vascular
problems, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory illnesses, headaches and
dizziness, disruption of reproductive and immune systems, and premature death etc. Hence, the
biggest issue of 21st century is promoting the health of urban population (Marcel et al., 2019)
[27]. The fictions of urban landscape and livable city have gained a new importance as an area
of integration and balanced interaction of processes of urban development, natural and cultural
contexts and challenges of making favorable environment for urban cities. In the form of urban
gardening, a contact with nature, activities of sports and community gardens increase the
satisfaction of life, psychological well being, social inclusion and adhesion, community sense
and cognitive function (Soga and Gaston, 2016) [44].
Engage in natural activities is not only a cost-effective invention of health and a type of nature-
based solution (Dushkova and Haase, 2020) [13]. But also as a preventive measure for various
physiological and metal health problems, so called therapeutic gardening and healing garden
therapy (Wood et al., 2016) [55].
The practice of designing, arranging and caring for living plants under enclosed environment is
called interiorscaping. The goal behind this, is to create a pleasing interiorscape (harmonious
and aesthetically) which will perform satisfactorily with regards to post harvest life and quality
of plant and plant care. In today’s life, people spend most of the time indoors each day. Thus,
it is necessary to have a comfortable indoor with favorable air quality. Roughly 27 million
office workers are at risk of sick building syndrome even in United States (Lu et al., 2016) [24].

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Besides this, the indoor air pollution is generally 3-5 times
(can extend upto 100 times) worse than the outdoor air
pollution. People experiencing severe physical and mental
health along with declining general wellbeing and this may be
the reason behind this. To physical and mental health, nature
exposure is considered best. As plants represents nature, so to
improve the quality of living environment, people often used
to grow plants indoor. It is also reported that the presence of
plants has a beneficial impact on minimizing short term
sickness absence as compared to the plants absence. Plants are
considered as the most common element of nature and also
regarded as the nature’s representative, even within a
manmade structures, it is true.
According to World Health organization by 2020, the diseases
that will deserve most of the attention in the world are
cardiovascular disease, AIDS and depression. The disease that
cause the highest disability to human and the second largest
burden of society is depression (WHO, 2001) [3]. The medical
expenditure and human resources both will be benefited, if
mental health can be improved by plants. And they can
contribute to both public health and sustainable development,
as plants consume little energy, slows down the global
warming and contribute to diversity of ecology. As our lives
are becoming more high-tech, we need to achieve more
natural balance. The connection of mind, body and nature will
increase physical and mental health. Use of both modern
technology and experience of nature extends our intelligence,
thinking of creativity and productivity and finally gives birth
to hybrid mind. So, designing our homes, workplaces,
neighborhoods and towns (interior landscaping) will not only
conserve watts but also develop human energy.
 Indoor air pollutants: Every single source’s importance
depends upon the amount of emmition of air pollutant,
pollutant’s affect and the system of ventilation (i.e.,
general or local) to remove the contaminant. The age and
maintenance history of the source are significant in some
cases. However there are various indoor air pollutants
which can be spread through a building, they typically
fall into three basic categories: biological, chemical, and
particle (Osha methods, 2003) [51].
Biological
Chemical (gases and vapors)
Particle (Non-Biological)
Through inadequate maintenance and
housekeeping, water spills, inadequate
humidity control, condensation, or water
intrusion through leaks in the building
envelope or flooding, there is an
occurrence of excessive concentration of
bacteria, fungi, dust mites, animal dander
and pollen
The products used in building such as office
equipment, furniture, wall and floor coverings,
pesticides and cleaning and consumer products,
accidental spills of chemicals, products used
during construction activities such as adhesives
and paints, and gases such as carbon monoxide,
formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide, all are the
sources.
These are solids or liquids, non-biological
substances which are light enough to be
suspended in air. Despite this, there are
other activities in the buildings such as
construction, sanding wood or drywall,
printing, copying and other operating
equipments are the sources from which
they can be produced.
According to Osha, 2011; sources of indoor air pollution may
include:
 Site or location of building: Nearby buildings, highways
or buses may be the reason of air pollutant or particulates.
Leaching of water and chemicals may occur in the
building cited on land where there was industrial use
prior.
 Building design: Indoor air pollution may occur by
design and construction flaws. Pollutants or water
intrusion may occur by poor foundations, roofs, facades,
window and door openings. The constant source of
pollutants may come by the outside air intake placed near
sources where pollutants drawn back into buildings (e.g.,
idling vehicles, products of combustion, waste containers,
etc.). Those buildings which has multiple tenants may
need to ensure the emission of one tenant do not
adversely affect the other tenant.
 Renovation Activities: During the renovation activities,
the source of pollutants that may circulate through the
building are dust or other by-products. These
contaminations can be removed by barrier isolation and
by increasing the ventilation to dilute.
 Building Materials: Indoor air pollution can be
contributed by disturbing the thermal insulation or
sprayed on acoustical material or the presence of wet or
damp structural surfaces.
 Local Exhaust Ventilation: In the deficit of adequate
local exhaust ventilation, there are some areas which may
contribute to the source of indoor air pollution and the
places are Kitchens, laboratories, maintenance shops,
parking garages, beauty and nail salons, toilet rooms,
trash rooms, soiled laundry rooms, locker rooms, copy
rooms and other specialized areas.
 Building Furnishings: Indoor air pollutants may release
from the cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed-
wood products.
 Sources and effect of indoor air pollutant has been
summarized in table 1.
Table 1: Sources and effects of indoor pollutants on human health
S. No.
Pollutant
Sources
Effects
References
1.
Carbon
monoxide
Incomplete combustion of organic compounds, house fires,
incomplete combustion of fuels (e.g., fuel gas, charcoal,
etroleum) using a burner, heating or cooking equipment with
insufficient ventilation or improper maintenance
Interferes with the ability of blood to
carry oxygen to the heart, brain and
other tissues. headaches, fatigue.
Kinoshita, 2020
[20]
2.
Particulate
matter
Cleaning, tobacco combustion, fumes from cooking oils and
fuel.
Personal Discomfort increases.
Different lung and cardiovascular
disorders.
Patel et al., 2020
[35]
3.
Tricholoethene
Paints, Furniture and Building material, fabricated metals and
adhesive solvents.
Immune and Reproductive system,
liver, kidney, CNS effects, foetal
development may also effect during
pregnancy.
Jeanie, 2009

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4.
Hydrocarbons
Combustion of fuel.
Causes various problems like
Nervous System failure, cancer,
tumor etc.
Al-Harbi et al.,
2020 [3]
5.
Benzene
Synthetic fibers, Inks, Plastics, tobacco smoke, detergents and
oils.
Inflammation, drying and skin
blistering, carcinogenic, headache,
weakness, blurred vision, respiratory
diseases, heartbeat, unconsciousness,
psychological disturbances, anaemia
and bone marrow, prarlysis etc.
Wolverton et al.,
1989 [54];
Heydari et al.,
2020 [16]
6.
Formaldehyde
Plywood, board, particle, insulation of foam, carpeting, clothes,
furniture, paper goods, furniture and household cleaners.
Upper respiratory tract and eyes
irritation. Throat cancer, skin rash,
Asthma and Headaches.
Yu et al., 2020
[58] and Sharma et
al., 2019 [42]
7.
Sulphur
Oxides
Combustion of coal.
Skin lesions, problems related to
breathing, headache, immunity
decreases and cancer.
Tran et al., 2020
[48]
8.
Aldehydes
Cooking, furnishing and construction materials.
Immunity decreases, Headache,
Breathing problem and cancer.
Szabados et al.,
2021 [46]
9.
Ozone
Printers and photocopier.
Throat irritation, pain, chest burning
or discomfort, coughing, breath
shortness and wheezing.
Abbass, 2017 [1]
and WHO, 2010
10.
Nitrogen
oxides
Combustion of fuel.
Pulmonary diseases, lung infection
impairment, eyes, nose and throat
irritation, infection susceptibility
increases
Susanto et al.,
2021 [45]
11.
Radon
Construction material, soil under building
By smoking, lung cancer risk
increases, miners cancer, leukemia.
Slezakova et al.,
2012 [43]
12.
Lead
Painted surfaces wear, soil, water, cosmetics and costume
jewelry
Brain attack and central nervous
system to cause coma.
Debnath et al.,
2019 [11]
13.
Fluorine and
arsenic
Combustion of coal
Skin lesions, hyperkeratosis,
cramping of muscle and death.
WHO, 2010
14.
Biological
pollutants
Furnishings, cooking and construction material
Allergy may cause. Situation of
hypersensitive occur.
Slezakova et al.,
2012 [43]
Benefits of indoor plants: (Mrinalini, 2018) [32]
 Indoor air quality improvement: Distance between
people and nature becomes more due to rapid
industrialization and urbanization. Human beings carry a
part of nature with them in every place where they live
and they can be in any forms such as a small garden or in
the form of houseplant (Cetin, 2015 and Sevik, 2016 [8].
All kinds of air pollution can be reduced by indoor plants
and also give other benefits such as increase productivity,
psychologically relieve people, and decreases stress and
negative feelings. As we know that when we take
breathe, a process takes place in which taking of oxygen
and exhailing of carbon dioxide happens and the plants
do just opposite to humans during photosynthesis which
leads to the cooperation of humans and plants. One of the
influential way to reduce the level of CO2 is ventilation
because outdoor air can be 5-100 times more clear than
indoor air (Bulgurcu, 2006) [5]. Plants are very essential
part of human’s life as they provide food, improve indoor
air quality etc. and all these processes are done by leaves
only. Some commonly known foliage plants helps in
reducing the levels of some interior pollutants, including
formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Due to bacteria
growing on roots of plant, these plants reduce pollution at
higher rates. It has shown that plants remove other indoor
air pollutants including ozone, toluene and benzene
(Papinchak et al., 2009) [34]. Based on the various studies,
the work of many building industries was dismissed
because of the small controlled chambers. Subsequently,
a biofiltration unit with an aquarium and interior plants
that can effectively maintain healthy indoor air was
introduced (Darlington et al., 2001) [10].
Table 2: Indoor plant that eradicate indoor air pollutant is enlisted in
Sr. No.
Plant
Eradicated pollutants
References
1.
Chlorophytum comosum
(Spider plant)
Hydrocarbon, Formaldehyde, ozone, Toulene and
xylene.
Papinchak, 2009 [34] and Inbathamizh, et
al., 2020 [17]
2.
Dieffenbachia spp. (Dumb
Canes)
Xylene and toulene, hydrocarbon
Abbass et al., 2017 [1]
3.
Aloe vera
Formaldehyde, benzene and xylene
Inbathamizh, et al., 2020 [17] and Sharma
et al., 2019 [42]
4.
Chrysanthemum morifolium
(Florist’s chrysanthemum)
Ammonia, benzene, trichloroethylene, toulene and
xylene, formaldehyde
Sharma et al., 2019 [42]
5.
Sansevieria trifascata
“Laurentii”
Toulene and xylene, trichloroethylene,
formaldehyde, ozone and benzene
Papinchak, 2009 [34] and Sharma et al.,
2019 [42]
6.
Spathiphyllum wallisii (peace
lily)
Hydrocarbon, ammonia, benzene, toulene and
xylene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene
Yoo et al., 2006; Wood et al., 2006 [52]
and Abbass et al., 2017 [1]
7.
Dypis lutescens (Areca palm)
Formaldehyde, xylene and toulene
Kobayashi et al., 2007; Pottorf, 2010 [38]
and Inbathamizh et al., 2020 [17]
8.
Anthurium andreanum
(Flamingo lily)
Formaldehyde, xylene and toulene, hydrocarbon
and ammonia
Han ans Ruan et al., 2020 [15]

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9.
Nephrolepis exalata (Boston
fern)
Toulene and xylene, formaldehyde
Chaipong, 2020 [9]
10.
Ficus elastic (Rubber plant)
Formaaldehyde
Corneio,1999 [7]; Abbass et al., 2017 [1]
and Han and Ruan et al., 2020 [15]
11.
Philodendron cordatum
(Heartleaf philodendron)
Hydrocarbon and formaldehyde
Pottorff, 2010 [38] and Chaipong, 2020 [9]
12.
Hedera helix (English ivy)
Ammonia, hydrocarbon, xylene and toulene,
formaldehyde and benzene
Yoo et al., 2006 [57] and Inbathamizh, et
al., 2020 [17]
13.
Gerbera jamesonii (Barberton
daisy)
Trichloroethylene, formaldehyde and benzene
Pottorff, 2010 [38] and Sharma et al.,
2019 [42]
14.
Dendrobium spp.
Xylene and toulene
Han and Ruan et al., 2020 [15]
15.
Bamboo palm
Toluene, benzene and formaldehyde
Inbathamizh, et al., 2020 [17]
 Happy minds and illness: It is usually said that in the
morning, walking on a grass with barefoot is very
beneficial for eyes. Plants perform transpiration in
outdoors which is said to account 10% of the atmosphere
moisture. And specially for dry months, the humidity can
be increased by transpiration which results in decreasing
various problems such as dry skin, cold, sore throats and
dry coughs etc. Seeing live green plant around and
working with plants makes mind happy (Thaneshwari et
al., 2018) [47].
 Healing mentally and physically: Plants can be useful
in lowering down the pain, anxiety and fatigue. And
somewhere in abroad, horticulture therapy is provided to
the patients, in which patients take care of plants. As a
physical therapy o horticultural programmes, therapeutic
gardens are a type of healing gardens. Therapeutic
gardens are mainly used for the patients suffering from
metal illness (Thaneshwari et al., 2018) [47].
 Nature sustainability: Urban areas have very less
vegetation and because of this, they experience a severe
temperature. As much as 12%, properly planted indoor
plants can cut heating and cooling cost and also
minimizes the demands of power. The most common
element of nature and often regarded as the most
representative of nature is plant and even in manmade
structures, this is true. The plants in a room differs from
the outdoor environment (Bringslimark, 2009) [4]. The
dynamic interrelationship between thermal comfort
needs, chemical factors, physical and biological factors is
indoor environment.
 The beneficial effect of cooling can be provided by
building surfaces covered with plant as plant absorb a
considerable amount of solar radiation for the growth and
biological function (Kontoleon and Eumorfopoulou,
2010) [22]. To minimize the load of cooling and to reduce
the use of air conditioning, during summers, indoor
plants would be beneficial.
 Relative humidity: It was reported that relative humidity
can be raised to healthier and more comfortable levels by
foliage plants. The humidity range below 30% to 60%
recommended for human comfort. Frequent cold, wood
dries and cracks occurs when indoor relative humidity is
too low. Too much relative humidity can be increased by
interior plants. Rise in relative humidity slows down the
loss of water because water does not evaporate as rapidly
at high humidity. Humidity should be maintained at
optimum level. As low humidity leads to the low levels
of biological contamination and thus the environment can
also be secured (Moon., 2015) [31]. It is difficult to
maintain the optimum level during summers, without
conditioning systems and these consumes high energy so
use of indoor plants would be beneficial and unexpensive
method (Fernandez-Can ero et al., 2012) [14].
 Particulate matter: Particulate matter deposition can be
reduced (as much as 20%) by adding plants to the
periphery of the room or can be reduced to many meters
by adding plants in the center of the room. In self
watering pots or containers, watering is done from the
bottom of the pot and growing medium actually an
interior dustier. The key pollutant from health and
environmental perspectives both indoor and outdoor is
particulate matter. Various hazardous health outcomes
are associated with the exposure to particulate matter.
Various adverse diseases associated with it are chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease
and asthma (Patel et al.,2018 and Li et al., 2003) [36, 23].
 Indoor temperature: The indoor building environment
consists of two primary variables viz. indoor temperature
and indoor relative humidity. The combination of the
radiations received from the walls and roof of building is
indoor temperature. Building is said to be thermally
uncomfortable, if the indoor temperature is either too
high or too low (Ponni, 2015) [37]. As like relative
humidity, various diseases results due to temperature.
The room temperature also affects the concentration level
of the occupant (Tham, 2008) [49]. For building energy
and for urban microclimate mitigation, green roofs, green
facades and living wall can be valuable. During summers,
the main radiant and the indoor air temperatures can be
minimized by the use of green walls (Djedjig et al., 2017)
[12].
 Well being
 Feelings: It was reported that presence of plants in the
room brings positive vibes to the humans. Most of the
people feel attentive and concentrating in the presence of
plants (Lohr et al., 1996) [26]. And feeling of more
carefree or playful and friendly of affectionate was
observed in the presence of plants. People working in
office feels very happy with plants. According to the
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016 [29], it
was revealed that work-related issues in nearly 59.5%
employees might occur due to high stress level, distress
and anxiety (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,
2017a) [30].
 Reduce stress: It has been observed that most of the
people recover from stress more quickly by viewing
slides or videotapes of nature than viewing urban scene
images (Ulrich, 1981). Stress reducing responses were
also observed even when their attention is not drawn to
plants. Even nature’s images can be helpful in reducing
stress. Productivity can also be increased by plants
because in the presence of plants, reaction time is 12%
faster than in the absence of plants. The students are less

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mentally fatigue by seeing out over nature from the
classrooms. Although in other case study, it was
concluded that to reduce the stress related condition,
small indoor plants could be helpful and economical for
business owners (Toyoda et al., 2020) [50].
 Plants and living art for Interiorscaping: There are
different types of house plants that we can use as a indoor
plant to make air quality pre and fresh and thse are
classified into various groups. The various groups with
suitable plants belonging to each group are mentioned
below (Randhawa and Mukhopadhyay, 1998) [39];
 Climbing and Trailing Foliage plants: These type of
plants need support for growing and for that, various
types of supporting materials are used such as split
bamboo can, creeper or a trailer etc. and for screen
making, thin chicken wire mesh may be used supported
on wire frame. Some plants suitable for this group are as
follows;
 Climber: For hanging baskets, the beautiful variegated
creepers are Ficus pumila and Ficus radicans variegata.
The creamy white variegation begins from margins,
Syngonium podophyllum, Philodendron elegans,
Asparagus plumosus, Hedera helix etc.
 Trailers: Suitable species of plants for this groups is
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum, Tradescantia
fluminensis, Zebrina pendula, Zebrina purpusii etc.
 Bushy and upright foliage plants: Usually, the plants
belonging to this group possess beautiful foliage and are
suitable for arrangements as well as individual specimen.
Plants suitable for this group are aspidistra lurida,
Begonia ‘Rex’, Dieffenbachia exotica, Codiaeum
(crotons), Philodendron bipinnatifidum, sansevieria,
Grevillea robusta etc. However, Araucaria excelsa and
Brassaia actinophylla does not come under the category
of foliage plants but they can be used until they grow up.
 Flowering House plants: Usually these type of plats
have attractive foliage and beautiful flowers which
remains on the plant all the year. They are;
 Climbing as training type: Begonia glaucophylla,
Begonia glabra, Passiflora caerulea, Trachelospermum
jaminoides.
 Bushy and upright types: Aphelandra squarrosa,
Begonia maculate, Begonia manocata, Saintpaulia
ionantha.
 Flowering pot plants: Any post plant which require
partial shade for their growth can be grown as indoor
plant and the suitable plants belongs to this group are
Azalea indica, tuberous rooted begonias,
chrysanthemums, Coleus, Pelargoniums (geranium) etc.
 Bulbs: Usually the bulbs can be grown indoor for once,
after that they are to be planted outdoor. Special bulb
bowls and bulb fibre are use to grow bulbs. After
flowering the annual bulbs exhaust themselves and then
removed for outdoor culture.
 Annual bulbs: Most of the annual bulbs are suitable for
temperate regions only. Suitable bulb are daffodils
(Narcissus), Crocus, hyacinths and Tulips.
 Permanent bulbs: The only bulb plant which grows well
indoor and which can be grown under tropics is
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum).
 Ferns and palms: Various palms and ferns are suitable
for indoor gardening.
 Suitable ferns: Nephrolepsis exalata, Pteris cretica,
different species of Selaginella (not a fern but still used)
etc.
 Suitable palms: Cycas revolute (look like palm but not a
palm), Chamaerops humilis and Phoenix roebelenii etc.
 Rose for indoors: We can grow rose under indoor
condition by providing the suitable conditions. The
cultivars all Gold, Lilac charm, Red wonder do well
under indoor condition.
 Cacti and succulents: Under indoor conditions,
epiphytic types which require less light do well. Some
sitable species are Agave americana marginata, aloe
variegata with some other species, Opuntia microdasys
and svarious species of sedum etc.
Some epiphytic cacti such as Aporocactus flageliformis,
Epiphyllum species, zygoplants.
 Miniature plants or bonsai: The art of growing plants to
a miniature from having a natural look of old age. It
requires special types of containers. For indoor
decorations, bonsai are very good. Their architectural
shapes are attractive enough for decorative display, when
they are deficient of leaves. Suitable plants are various
species of ficus, bougainvillea, hamelia patens, juniper,
jackaranda, mango, pine, neem, tamarind, mango,
karonda, duranta gold etc.
 Terrariums: A small garden inside a closed glass or a
plastic container is called terrarium. To grow a collection
of small plants, it is a delightful way. Those plants which
are difficult to grow in normal dry atmosphere of our
homes, under proper care, terrarium create a humid
atmosphere that protects tender plants. Suitable plants for
terrarium are:
 Tall plants: Syngonium podophyllum, Pilea microphylla,
Asparagus spp., Begonia spp. Dracaena sanderiana,
Codiaeum variegatum, Dracaena surculosa etc.
 Short, rounded plants: Begonia Rex, Cryptanthus spp,
Asplenium nidus, Tetranema roseum Pelargonium spp,
Ophiopogon japonicas, Peperomia spp, Hypoestes
phyllostachya, Sansevieria trifasciata
 Short, Prostrate plants: Ficus pumila, Columnea
microphylla, Hedera helix cvs, Plectranthus spp,
Selaginella spp, Philodendron spp, Herniaria glabra.
 Bottle gardens: For indoor decorations, bottle gardens
have got an enormous immense. These gardens brought
beauty into the rooms. A London physician named
Nathaniel ward developed the idea of this garden. It
requires much attention to construct. It has fascinating
beauty and so, can be used for table decoration inside
room. Suitable plants are Fitnonia, dwarf varieties of
Aglanema, Ferns, Cryptanthus etc.
 Dish garden: For growing plants, commonly used
materials are both glazed and earthenware dishes or
bowls. The dishes must have holes at the bottom for
drainage of water and should be about 10cm deep. The
size of the dishes should be not too large. To create a
fantastic container gardens, succulents can be combined
with shells, bits of glass and other objects. Suitable plants
are flowering cactus like Heliocereus, Brozicactus,
Rebutia, Lobivia, Notocactus, Mammillaria, echinopsis
and Paradia.
 Aquascaping: The craft of arranging aquatic plants as
well as stones, cave-work, driftwood or rocks in an
aesthetic manner within aquarium is called aquascping
(Martin et al., 2013). For enhancing the aesthetic look,

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various shades of plants along with green can be use in it
but red and orange colour leaves make it excellent.
Besides olants of different shape, size and colour, the one
which are heart and soul of aquarium is fish. Suitable
plants for aquascping are Dwarf Baby Tears (Hemianthus
callitrichoides), Rotala Green, Christmas Moss (Xmas
moss), needle Leaf java Fern (Microsorum pteropus
marrow) and Salvinia auriculata etc.
 Plants suitable for different indoor environmental
condition: Indoor environmental conditions varies on the
basis of temperature, humidity and light. Although plants
adapt to various environmental conditions but different
plants require different conditions for their optimum
growth and development. Various combinations of light,
temperature and humidity with the intensity of low (L),
medium (M) and high (H) with suitable species are as
follows:
 Service area (MHH, MMM, MMH): Kitchen (a service
area in home) is a place where humidity and temperature
varies greatly in every situation. Humidity and
temperature is likely to be rise when it is in use and
decreases when it is not being used. There are various
plants which can be used to maintain these, as it is one of
the place where much care is needed, tall or big plants
might be inconvenient for such places. Plants which are
appropriate and functional can be planted in this place
viz. Celery, Mint, Thyme and Parsley.
 Private area (includes both bed room and bath room):
 Bath room (MMH, LMH, LLH, LMM): Humidity is
maximum here when it is in use, light is mainly low and
medium to low temperature. Plants that can tolerate high
humidity and low light can be planted in this area and
those plants are: Asplenium nidus (bird nest fern),
Nephrolepsis sp., Scindapsus aureus(pothos),
Philodendrons scandens and Cissus repens.
 Bed room (MMM, MML, HML): In this area,
temperature is always optimum or medium, light is
medium to high, and humidity is medium to low. Plants
like Chlorophytum can be used here as they have the
ability to remove pollutants like formaldehyde from
cloths, and which in turn act as an air cleaner. Suitable
plants to this category are: Clivia miniata, Cyclamen
persicum, Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’ and Chlorophytum
comosum.
 Public area (MMM, HMM, MML): The place where the
public or guests spend time with the family. The plants
that can be suitable for this place are those which has
having showy, large or colourful plants. Usually, this area
has high to medium light, medium to low humidity and
medium temperature. Various Appropriate plants suitable
for this condition are: Scindapsus aureus (pothos),
Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’ (Peace Lily), Ficus
pandurata, Hedera helix and Begonia semperflorence
(English ivy).
 Family living area (MMM, HML, MML): The area
where all the family members meet and spend quality
time together. Ususally this area has medium to high
light, low to medium humidity and medium temperature.
The appropriate plants are: Chamaedorea seifritzii
(Bamboo palm), Philodendron scandens, Chlorophytum
(Spider Plant) and Spathiphyllum sp. (Peace Lily).
Future Aspect: Indoor air pollution will become a major
problem for future generation unless or until population is
controlled which is increasing at very fast rate. It is
mandatory to wake up and take step against it as we all are
aware about the various impacts of air pollution on both
environment and human health. This problem will be more in
highly populated countries like India, China, USA etc. Indoor
air pollution need more attention because urban people are
spending most of their time indoor. To increase the process of
phytoremediation, transgenic indoor plants should be develop
at fast pace. For the emission of particular pollutant,
guidelines would be set in offices, buildings, houses and
schools. Each and every individual need to do their part as a
whole to get rid and fight air pollution. In order to maintanin a
heathy and aesthetic life style in urban area, art of indoor
gardening with ornamental as well as herbal indoor plants
need to be promoted and implemented.
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