The Appearance of Indoor Plants and their Effect on People’s Perceptions

Built environments affect our health, behavior and mental well-being. The adverse impacts of indoor air pollution and poor thermal comfort on the health, well-being and productivity of building occupants are well documented, and as people spend more time indoors in tightly sealed buildings these concerns are rising. People’s mental well-being is also a major health concern; in the UK mental ill health is the single largest cause of disability burden and stress. The psychological well-being of a person depends on many factors but the indoor environment, including the indoor air quality (IAQ) and the physical design of the space, is an important influence which can be manipulated in various ways. The inclusion of indoor plants has been shown to benefit both the physical and psychological well-being of building occupants, leading to reduced health complaints and sick leave.