Effects of Pothos and Sansevieria Plants on Removing Indoor Air Pollutants

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Science and Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Horticulture College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, University of Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Horticulture, Ga.C., Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran

4 Department of Chemistry, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Reducing the concentration of volatile organic compounds both indoors and outdoors is a crucial health and environmental objective. This study investigated and compared the phytoremediation capacities of Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’ and Epipremnum aureum to mitigate key components of indoor air pollution. Benzene, acetone, methanol, and ethanol were introduced into air-tight glass chambers. Air samples were collected using a gas-tight syringe at intervals of 15 min, 6 h, and 24 h, and the residual pollutant concentrations were analyzed using gas chromatography to determine the plants’ absorption capacity and VOC removal potential. The results indicated that pollutant absorption depended on the type and concentration of the pollutant, plant species, and the extent of green surface area. Both plant species demonstrated effective phytoremediation capabilities. As a C3 plant, Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) reduced indoor air pollution by 52%, while Sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’), a CAM plant, achieved a 35% reduction. Within the first 6 h following pollutant injection, 19.7% of the pollutants were purified, with an additional 30.3% removal observed over the next 18 h. In all treatments, pollutant absorption was highest during the initial 6 h and then decreased over time, except in the case of benzene. For benzene, adsorption was initially slow during the first 6 h but subsequently showed an increasing trend. This study highlights the potential of ornamental plants as an effective and sustainable solution for reducing VOC levels in indoor environments.

Keywords

International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology
Volume 13, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 305-314

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 31 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 24 January 2025

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