RESEARCH
Houseplant, Indoor Air Pollution, and Cardiovascular Effects Among Elderly Subjects in Taipei, Taiwan
Summary
This study looked at how having houseplants inside homes affects the air quality and heart health of elderly people living in Taipei, Taiwan. The researchers compared two groups of seniors: one group lived in homes with houseplants, and the other did not. Over several visits, they measured air pollution levels inside the homes—including fine particles (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)—as well as the seniors’ heart rates and blood pressure. They found that homes with houseplants had significantly cleaner air and that the people living in those homes had lower heart rates and blood pressure.
The study also found that when indoor air pollution increased, so did heart rate and blood pressure—especially in homes without plants. In contrast, the presence of houseplants seemed to reduce the negative effects of air pollution on heart health. The most common plants used were species like pothos and snake plant, which are known to clean the air. The researchers concluded that houseplants could be a simple, natural, and low-cost way to improve air quality and protect heart health, particularly for older adults.
