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Effects of Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses

Author

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  • Ke-Tsung Han

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411030, Taiwan)

  • Li-Wen Ruan

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411030, Taiwan)

  • Li-Shih Liao

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411030, Taiwan)

Abstract

The influences of indoor plants on people have been examined by only three systematic reviews and no meta-analyses. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of indoor plants on individuals’ physiological, cognitive, health-related, and behavioral functions by conducting a systematic review with meta-analyses to fill the research gap. The eligibility criteria of this study were (1) any type of participants, (2) any type of indoor plants, (3) comparators without any plants or with other elements, (4) any type of objective human function outcomes, (5) any type of study design, and (6) publications in either English or Chinese. Records were extracted from the Web of Science (1990–), Scopus (1970–), WANFANG DATA (1980–), and Taiwan Periodical Literature (1970–). Therefore, at least two databases were searched in English and in Chinese—two of the most common languages in the world. The last search date of all four databases was on 18 February 2021. We used a quality appraisal system to evaluate the included records. A total of 42 records was included for the systematic review, which concluded that indoor plants affect participants’ functions positively, particularly those of relaxed physiology and enhanced cognition. Separate meta-analyses were then conducted for the effects of the absence or presence of indoor plants on human functions. The meta-analyses comprised only 16 records. The evidence synthesis showed that indoor plants can significantly benefit participants’ diastolic blood pressure (−2.526, 95% CI −4.142, −0.909) and academic achievement (0.534, 95% CI 0.167, 0.901), whereas indoor plants also affected participants’ electroencephalography (EEG) α and β waves, attention, and response time, though not significantly. The major limitations of this study were that we did not include the grey literature and used only two or three records for the meta-analysis of each function. In brief, to achieve the healthy city for people’s health and effective functioning, not only are green spaces needed in cities, but also plants are needed in buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Ke-Tsung Han & Li-Wen Ruan & Li-Shih Liao, 2022. "Effects of Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-41, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7454-:d:841457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth F Schulz & Douglas G Altman & David Moher & for the CONSORT Group, 2010. "CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomised Trials," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(3), pages 1-7, March.
    2. Ke-Tsung Han & Li-Wen Ruan, 2019. "Effects of Indoor Plants on Self-Reported Perceptions: A Systemic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Mireia Gascon & Margarita Triguero-Mas & David Martínez & Payam Dadvand & Joan Forns & Antoni Plasència & Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, 2015. "Mental Health Benefits of Long-Term Exposure to Residential Green and Blue Spaces: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-26, April.
    4. Des Jarlais, D.C. & Lyles, C. & Crepaz, N., 2004. "Improving the Reporting Quality of Nonrandomized Evaluations of Behavioral and Public Health Interventions: The TREND Statement," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(3), pages 361-366.
    5. Daniele Fanelli, 2012. "Negative results are disappearing from most disciplines and countries," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 90(3), pages 891-904, March.
    6. Ke-Tsung Han, 2019. "Effects of Indoor Plants on the Physical Environment with Respect to Distance and Green Coverage Ratio," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-19, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dorothy Day Huntsman & Grzegorz Bulaj, 2025. "Home Environment as a Therapeutic Target for Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Delivering Restorative Living Spaces, Patient Education and Self-Care by Bridging Biophilic Design, E-Commerc," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-36, February.
    2. Samieul Azad & Melissa Marselle, 2025. "Thriving Through Stressful Life Events with Nature: A Mixed-Method Study on Tending Indoor Plants and Rumination Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-37, March.
    3. Daniela-Roxana Tămaş-Gavrea & Raluca Iştoan & Ancuţa Elena Tiuc & Tünde-Orsolya Dénes & Daniela Lucia Manea & Alexandra Ciorîță & Ovidiu Vasile, 2024. "Sustainable Approach to Achieve New Green Solutions for the Construction Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Shereen Khatoon-Jaan Din & Alessio Russo & Jamie Liversedge, 2023. "Designing Healing Environments: A Literature Review on the Benefits of Healing Gardens for Children in Healthcare Facilities and the Urgent Need for Policy Implementation," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, April.

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