The effect of indoor plants on human comfort

Abstract

There is growing evidence to support the notion that plants can play an important role in providing a higher quality living environment. This study conducted a series of experiments to investigate the effects of characteristics, such as colour, odour and size of plants on human comfort, which was evaluated by a satisfaction survey and physiological measurements. Different kinds of plants with different levels of colour (green, tint and multicolour), odour (no odour, slight scent and strong scent) and size (small, medium and large) were chosen for the experiment design. A survey of participants' satisfaction degree as well as measurements from electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), oxyhaemoglobin saturation, fingertip blood flow, skin resistance and respiration rate were utilized to illustrate the response of participants to the environments either with different plants or without plants. The results demonstrated that an interior office with plants was preferred over an office without plants. The environments with green, slightly scented and small plants were reported as the most favourite conditions. The EEG and oxyhaemoglobin saturation showed significant changes when plant conditions varied. These outcomes provided design strategies for incorporating the plants into the interior office spaces and also provided the physiological variables to evaluate human comfort in the outside environment.

Psychological and physiological effects of viewing a money plant by older adults

“…Regarding the psychological evaluation, STAI anxiety scores were lower after visual stimulation with a money plant. Therefore, the psychological benefits of greenery for older adults are significant (i.e., decreased anxiety), and an indoor green environment can enhance spiritual health (Qin, Sun, Zhou, Leng, & Lian, ). The supportive effects of viewing a money plant indicate that it is an easy, convenient, and effective method by which to enhance the well‐being of older adults living in nursing homes.…”

“…Therefore, the psychological benefits of greenery for older adults are significant (i.e., decreased anxiety), and an indoor green environment can enhance spiritual health (Qin, Sun, Zhou, Leng, & Lian, 2014 (Lai, Ho, Lim, & Ho, 2017). A recent fNIRS study showed that urban scene led to significant increase of oxyhemoglobin on the right area of the prefrontal cortex as compared to the garden scene (Yu, Ang, Ho, Sia, & Ho, 2017) and further research is required to assess the effect of plant viewing by fNRIS.…”

Biophilic Design And Plants Application In Rebuilding Kaki Lima Of Heritage Shophouses

“…It improves mental health, stress reduction and attentive cognition can be pro-long in the meanwhile it also increase social connection and promote social health (Schmutz, Lennartsson, Williams, Devereaux, & Davies, 2014)Based on the plants list (Table 1), there are a total of 9 species are air purifier plants (A.1, B.2, C.5, C.6, C.16, C.20, D.1, E.1, and E.2) (Wolverton, 1996). Besides that, the different layers of plants can reduce the strong sunshine and temperature of the kaki lima and supported by researches (Qin et al, 2014). According to (Thani & Al Junid, 2014), plants acts as passive cooling component through shading and evapotranspiration mechanism.…”

The effects of biophilic design in interior environments on noise perception: Designing a person-centered biophilic space for older adults

“…Han (2009) points out that plants are used not only to bring a number of aesthetic as well as psychological benefits, better air quality and higher work productivity to the indoor environment, but also to improve the climate and decoration outside the buildings. The placement of indoor plants has psychological benefits such as stress reduction, positive distraction and pain tolerance (Bringslimark, Hartig, & Patil, 2009;Dijkstra, Pieterse, & Pruyn, 2008;Qin, Sun, Zhou, Leng, & Lian, 2013). Other research further explain the effects of placing indoor plants on increasing attractiveness and comfort of interior environments.…”

“…For example, Dijkstra, Pieterse, and Pruyn (2008)'s study is relevant to my study by indicating that indoor plants in a hospital room reduce feelings of stress through the perceived attractiveness of the room. In addition, an environment with plants can effectively improve human comfort (Qin, Sun, Zhou, Leng, & Lian, 2013) Less research has been done on the qualities of plants that humans prefer. Qin et al…”