Interiorscapes
Interiorscape, also called plantscaping, is defined as an installation of plants decorating the inside of a building. These may be found in workplaces, residential facilities for seniors or other populations, healthcare settings, schools and private homes. The rationale for using plants in indoor settings includes beautification, psychological boost, improved humidity and air quality. Research validates additional health benefits - access to nature, improved mood and stress, and better attentional capacity, creativity, worker productivity, & impact on students’ cognition. More recent research is emerging from Toyoda et al., 2019, Hall & Knuth, 2019, & van den Bogerd et al., 2020 & 2021, with research across disciplines published in a variety of journals.
Additional resources on indoor gardens in a variety of settings can be found in Landscapes for Health category in subset Designed Landscape Elements.
Additional resources on indoor gardens in a variety of settings can be found in Landscapes for Health category in subset Designed Landscape Elements.
> Key Organizations
> Books, journals & E-publications on interiorscapes
Florida State Horticultural Society Annual Proceedings & FSHS Newsletter
Green Plants for Green Buildings research listings hub
Hort Technology journal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment (Korea)
Landscape and Urban Planning Journal
Trends in Plant Science Journal
Green Plants for Green Buildings research listings hub
Hort Technology journal
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
Journal of People, Plants, and Environment (Korea)
Landscape and Urban Planning Journal
Trends in Plant Science Journal
> RESEARCH & ARTICLES ON interiorscapes
Recently published selected research & articles:
Abbass, O.A., Sailor, D.J., Gall, E.T. (2017). Effectiveness of indoor plants for passive removal of
indoor ozone. Building Environ., 119, 62–70. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.04.007
Adamson, K. & Thatcher, A. (2018). Do indoor plants improve performance outcomes? Using the
attention restoration theory. Cong. Internatl. Ergon., 591, 604 doi: 1007/978-3-319-96068-5-65
Alker, J., Malanca, M., Pottage, C. & O’Brien, R. (2014). Health, wellbeing & productivity in offices.
The next chapter for green building. Rep. World Green Building Council 87.
Annu, H., Valtteri, H., and David, O. (2020). Audio-visual interaction in perception of industrial plants –
effects of sound level and the degree of visual masking by vegetation. Appl. Acoust., 160, 107121. doi: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2019.107121
Aydogan, A. & Cerone, R. (2021). Review of the effects of plants on indoor environments. Indoor Built
Environ., 30, 442–460. doi: 10.1177/1420326x19900213
Bandehali, S., Miri, T., Onyeaka, H. & Kumar, P. (2021). Current state of indoor air phytoremediation
using potted plants and green walls. Atmosphere, 12, 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12040473
Berger, J., Essah, E., Blanusa, T. & Philip Beaman, C. (2022). The appearance of indoor plants and their
effect on people's perceptions of indoor air quality and subjective well-being. Building and Environment, 219, 109151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109151.
Brilli, F., Fares, S., Ghirardo, A., de Visser, P., Calatayud, A., Annesi-Maesano, I., Sebastinai, F.,
Alivernini, A., Varriale, V. & Menghini, F. (2018). Plants for sustainable improvement of indoor air quality. Trends in Plant Science, 23(6), 507-512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2018.03.004
Callaghan, A. & Mallory-Hill, S. (2016). Biophilia and nature-based features to support stress reduction
in knowledge workers. Thesis. University of Manitoba.
Chatakul, P. & Janpathompong, S. (2022). Interior plants: Trends, species, and their benefits,
Building and Environment, 222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109325
Choi, J.Y., Park, S.A., Jung, S.J., Lee, J.Y., Son, K.C., An, Y.J., & Lee, S W. (2016). Physiological and
psychological responses of humans to the index of greenness of an interior space. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 28, 37-43.
Cummings, B.E. & Waring, M.S. (2020). Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: A review and
analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol., 30, 253–261 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0175-9
Deng L. & Deng Q. (2018). The basic roles of indoor plants in human health and comfort. Environ Sci
Pollut Res Int., 25(36), 36087-36101. doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-3554-1
Dijkstra, K., Pieterse, M.E. & Pruyn, A. (2008). Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the built
healthcare environment: The mediating role of perceived attractiveness. Preventative Medicine, 47 (3), 279-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.01.013
El-Tanbouly, R., Hassan Z. & El-Messeiry, S. (2021). The role of indoor plants in air purification and
human health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: A proposal for a novel line of inquiry. Front Mol Biosci., 3(8), 709395. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.709395
Fakhraldeen, S. (2012). Redefining (interior)scapes: Integrating the natural and build environment.
Electronic Theses: Dissertations. Kansas State University.
Field, T., Field, T., Cullen C, Largie, S., Diego, M., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2008). Lavender bath oil
reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Early Hum Dev., 84(6), 399-401. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.10.008
Gilchrist, K.C., Brown, C. & Montarzino, A. (2015). Workplace setting and wellbeing: Greenspace use
and views contribute to employee wellbeing at peri-urban business sites. Land.Urban Plan., 138, 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.004
Gu, J., Liu, H. & Lu, H. (2022). Can even a small amount of greenery be helpful in reducing stress? A
systematic review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19, 9778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169778
Gubb, C., Blanusa, T., Griffiths, A. et al. (2018). Can houseplants improve indoor air quality by
removing CO2 and increasing relative humidity? Air Qual Atmos Health, 11, 1191–1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0618-9
Hall, C. & Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: A
review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30
Han, K.T. & Ruan, L.W. (2019). Effects of indoor plants on self-reported perceptions: A systemic
review. Sustainability, 11 (16), 4506.
Han, Y., Lee, J., Haiping, G., Kim, K.H., Wanx, I.P., Bhardwaj, N., Oh, J.M. & Brown, R.J.C. (2022). Plant-
based remediation of air pollution: A review. J Environ Manage, 301, 113860. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113860
Igarashi, M., Song, C., Ikei, H. & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Effect of stimulation by foliage plant display
images on prefrontal cortex activity: A comparison with stimulation using actual foliage plants. J. Neuroimaging, 25(1), 127-130.
Ikei, H., Komatsu, M., Song, C., Himoro, E. & Miyazaki, Y. (2014). The physiological and psychological
relaxing effects of viewing rose flowers in office workers. J. Physiol. Anthro., 33(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-33-6
Jumeno, D. & Matsumoto, H. (2016). The effects of indoor foliage plants on perceived air quality,
mood, attention, and productivity. J. Civil Eng. Arch. Res., 3(4), 1359-1370.
Kalevi, K., Jessica, D.B., Marjaana, S., Tytti, P. & Ulla, K. (2017). Nature at home and at work: Naturally
good? Links between window views, indoor plants, outdoor activities and employee well-being over one year. Landsc. Urban Plan., 160, 38–47. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.005
Ke-Tsung, H. & Li-Wen, R. (2019). Effects of indoor plants on self-reported perceptions: A systemic
review. Sustainability, 11, 4506. doi: 10.3390/su11164506
Khalifa, A.A., Khan, E. & Akhtar, M.S. (2022). Phytoremediation of indoor formaldehyde by plants and
plant material. Int J Phytoremediation, 30, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/15226514.2022.2090499
Kim, S.O., Oh, Y.A., & Park, S.A. (2020). Foliage plants improve concentration and emotional
condition of elementary school students performing an intensive assignment. HortScience, 55(3), 378-385.
Kim, H.H., Yeo, I.Y. & Lee, J.Y. (2020). Higher attention capacity after improving indoor air quality by
indoor plant placement in elementary school classrooms. Hort J., 89(3), 319-327. https://doi.org/10.2503/hortj.UTD-110
Korpela, K., De Bloom, J., Pasanen,T. & Kinnunen, U. (2017). Nature at home and at work: Naturally
good? Links between window views, indoor plants, outdoor activities and employee well-being over one year. Land. Urban Plan., 160, 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.005
Lacanna, G., Wagenaar, C., Avernaetem, T. & Swamim, V. (2018). Evaluating the psychosocial impact
of indoor public spaces in complex healthcare settings. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 12(3), 11-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586718812439
Lee, M.S., Lee, J.Y., Park, B.J. & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce
psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: A randomized crossover study. J Physiol Anthropol., 34, 21. 10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8
Lee, B.Y. (2020). Psychological and physiological benefits of plants in the indoor environment: A mini
and in-depth review. Int. J. Built Env. Sust., 8, 57–67. doi: 10.11113/IJBES.V8.N1.597
Lee, A-Y., Kim, H-R., Kwon, H.J., Kim, S-Y. & Park, S-A. (2021). Improving children’s emotional health
through installing biowalls in classrooms. Journal of People Plants Environment, 24(1), 29-38.
MacNaughton, P., Satish, U., Laurent, J.G.C., Flanigan, S., Vallarino, J., Coull, B., Spengler, J.D. & Allen,
J.G. (2017). The impact of working in a green certified building on cognitive function and health. Build. Environ., 114(2017), 178-186. 10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.11.041
McSweeney, J., Johnson, S., Sherry, S., Singleton, J. & Rainham, D. (2021). Indoor nature exposure
and influence on physiological stress markers. Int. J. Environ. Health Res., 31, 636–650. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1679357
Nieuwenhuis, M., Knight, C., Postmes, T. & Haslam, S.A. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus
lean office space: Three field experiments. J. Experi. Psych. –Applied, 20(3), 199-214. doi: 10.1037/xap0000024
Park, S.A., Song, C., Choi, J.Y., Son, K.C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Foliage plants cause physiological
and psychological relaxation as evidenced by measurements of prefrontal cortex activity and profile of mood states. HortScience, 51(10), 1308-1312.
Park, S., Song, C., Oh, Y.A., Miyazaki, Y., & Son, K.C. (2017). Comparison of physiological and
psychological relaxation using measurements of heart rate variability, prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective indexes after completing tasks with and without foliage plants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(9), 1087.
Park, SA. (2020). Indoor green plants are beneficial to mental health. AHTA Magazine, 48(3), 4-5.
Park, SA., Jeong, JE. & Wu, YT. (2021). Real foliage plants as visual stimuli to improve
and psychological stability in adults. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1330: XV International
People Plant Symposium and II International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-being and Social Development.
Pichlhöfer, A., Sesto, E., Hollands, J. & Korjenic, A. (2021). Health-related benefits of different indoor
plant species in a school setting. Sustainability, 13, 9566. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179566
Raanaas, R.K., Evenson, K.H., Rich, D., Sjostrom, G. & Patil, G. (2011). Benefits of indoor plants on
attention capacity in an office setting. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(1), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.11.005
Rosenthal, G. (2021). Plant protection unity spans a continent. USDA Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
Smith, A. & Pitt, M. (2011). Healthy workplace: Plantscaping for indoor environmental quality.
Facilities, 29(3/4), 169-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771111109289
Toyoda, M., Yokata, Y., Barnes, M. & Kaeko, M. (2019). Potential of a small indoor plant on the desk
for reducing office workers’ stress. HortTechnology, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04427-19
Ulrich, R.S., Cordoza, M., Gardiner, S.K., Manulik, B., Fitzpatrick, P.S., Hazen, T.M. & Perkins, R.S.
(2020). ICU patient family stress recovery during breaks in a hospital garden indoor environment. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 13(2), 83-102. doi:
10.1097/JPN.0000000000000247.
van den Bogerd, Dijkstra, N.S.C., Koole, S.L., Seidell, J.C., de Vries, R. & Maas, J. (2020). Nature in the
indoor and outdoor study environment and secondary and tertiary education students' well-being, academic outcomes, and possible mediating pathways: A systematic review with recommendations for science and practice. Health & Place, 66(2020), 102403.
van den Bogerd, N., Coosje Dijkstra, S., Koole, S.L., Seidell, J.C. & Maas, J. (2021). Greening the room:
A quasi-experimental study on the presence of potted plants in study rooms on mood, cognitive performance, and perceived environmental quality among university students.
Journal of Environmental Psychology, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101557.
Zhang, Y., Ou, D., Chen, Q., Kang, S. & Au, G. (2022). The effects of indoor plants and traffic noise on
English reading comprehension of Chinese university students in home offices. Front. Psychol., 29. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1003268
- (2021). J. Scott Angle: Treating the blues with greens. FNGLA.
Abbass, O.A., Sailor, D.J., Gall, E.T. (2017). Effectiveness of indoor plants for passive removal of
indoor ozone. Building Environ., 119, 62–70. doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.04.007
Adamson, K. & Thatcher, A. (2018). Do indoor plants improve performance outcomes? Using the
attention restoration theory. Cong. Internatl. Ergon., 591, 604 doi: 1007/978-3-319-96068-5-65
Alker, J., Malanca, M., Pottage, C. & O’Brien, R. (2014). Health, wellbeing & productivity in offices.
The next chapter for green building. Rep. World Green Building Council 87.
Annu, H., Valtteri, H., and David, O. (2020). Audio-visual interaction in perception of industrial plants –
effects of sound level and the degree of visual masking by vegetation. Appl. Acoust., 160, 107121. doi: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2019.107121
Aydogan, A. & Cerone, R. (2021). Review of the effects of plants on indoor environments. Indoor Built
Environ., 30, 442–460. doi: 10.1177/1420326x19900213
Bandehali, S., Miri, T., Onyeaka, H. & Kumar, P. (2021). Current state of indoor air phytoremediation
using potted plants and green walls. Atmosphere, 12, 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12040473
Berger, J., Essah, E., Blanusa, T. & Philip Beaman, C. (2022). The appearance of indoor plants and their
effect on people's perceptions of indoor air quality and subjective well-being. Building and Environment, 219, 109151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109151.
Brilli, F., Fares, S., Ghirardo, A., de Visser, P., Calatayud, A., Annesi-Maesano, I., Sebastinai, F.,
Alivernini, A., Varriale, V. & Menghini, F. (2018). Plants for sustainable improvement of indoor air quality. Trends in Plant Science, 23(6), 507-512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2018.03.004
Callaghan, A. & Mallory-Hill, S. (2016). Biophilia and nature-based features to support stress reduction
in knowledge workers. Thesis. University of Manitoba.
Chatakul, P. & Janpathompong, S. (2022). Interior plants: Trends, species, and their benefits,
Building and Environment, 222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109325
Choi, J.Y., Park, S.A., Jung, S.J., Lee, J.Y., Son, K.C., An, Y.J., & Lee, S W. (2016). Physiological and
psychological responses of humans to the index of greenness of an interior space. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 28, 37-43.
Cummings, B.E. & Waring, M.S. (2020). Potted plants do not improve indoor air quality: A review and
analysis of reported VOC removal efficiencies. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol., 30, 253–261 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-019-0175-9
Deng L. & Deng Q. (2018). The basic roles of indoor plants in human health and comfort. Environ Sci
Pollut Res Int., 25(36), 36087-36101. doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-3554-1
Dijkstra, K., Pieterse, M.E. & Pruyn, A. (2008). Stress-reducing effects of indoor plants in the built
healthcare environment: The mediating role of perceived attractiveness. Preventative Medicine, 47 (3), 279-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2008.01.013
El-Tanbouly, R., Hassan Z. & El-Messeiry, S. (2021). The role of indoor plants in air purification and
human health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: A proposal for a novel line of inquiry. Front Mol Biosci., 3(8), 709395. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.709395
Fakhraldeen, S. (2012). Redefining (interior)scapes: Integrating the natural and build environment.
Electronic Theses: Dissertations. Kansas State University.
Field, T., Field, T., Cullen C, Largie, S., Diego, M., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2008). Lavender bath oil
reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Early Hum Dev., 84(6), 399-401. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.10.008
Gilchrist, K.C., Brown, C. & Montarzino, A. (2015). Workplace setting and wellbeing: Greenspace use
and views contribute to employee wellbeing at peri-urban business sites. Land.Urban Plan., 138, 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.004
Gu, J., Liu, H. & Lu, H. (2022). Can even a small amount of greenery be helpful in reducing stress? A
systematic review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19, 9778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169778
Gubb, C., Blanusa, T., Griffiths, A. et al. (2018). Can houseplants improve indoor air quality by
removing CO2 and increasing relative humidity? Air Qual Atmos Health, 11, 1191–1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0618-9
Hall, C. & Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: A
review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30
Han, K.T. & Ruan, L.W. (2019). Effects of indoor plants on self-reported perceptions: A systemic
review. Sustainability, 11 (16), 4506.
Han, Y., Lee, J., Haiping, G., Kim, K.H., Wanx, I.P., Bhardwaj, N., Oh, J.M. & Brown, R.J.C. (2022). Plant-
based remediation of air pollution: A review. J Environ Manage, 301, 113860. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113860
Igarashi, M., Song, C., Ikei, H. & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Effect of stimulation by foliage plant display
images on prefrontal cortex activity: A comparison with stimulation using actual foliage plants. J. Neuroimaging, 25(1), 127-130.
Ikei, H., Komatsu, M., Song, C., Himoro, E. & Miyazaki, Y. (2014). The physiological and psychological
relaxing effects of viewing rose flowers in office workers. J. Physiol. Anthro., 33(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/1880-6805-33-6
Jumeno, D. & Matsumoto, H. (2016). The effects of indoor foliage plants on perceived air quality,
mood, attention, and productivity. J. Civil Eng. Arch. Res., 3(4), 1359-1370.
Kalevi, K., Jessica, D.B., Marjaana, S., Tytti, P. & Ulla, K. (2017). Nature at home and at work: Naturally
good? Links between window views, indoor plants, outdoor activities and employee well-being over one year. Landsc. Urban Plan., 160, 38–47. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.005
Ke-Tsung, H. & Li-Wen, R. (2019). Effects of indoor plants on self-reported perceptions: A systemic
review. Sustainability, 11, 4506. doi: 10.3390/su11164506
Khalifa, A.A., Khan, E. & Akhtar, M.S. (2022). Phytoremediation of indoor formaldehyde by plants and
plant material. Int J Phytoremediation, 30, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/15226514.2022.2090499
Kim, S.O., Oh, Y.A., & Park, S.A. (2020). Foliage plants improve concentration and emotional
condition of elementary school students performing an intensive assignment. HortScience, 55(3), 378-385.
Kim, H.H., Yeo, I.Y. & Lee, J.Y. (2020). Higher attention capacity after improving indoor air quality by
indoor plant placement in elementary school classrooms. Hort J., 89(3), 319-327. https://doi.org/10.2503/hortj.UTD-110
Korpela, K., De Bloom, J., Pasanen,T. & Kinnunen, U. (2017). Nature at home and at work: Naturally
good? Links between window views, indoor plants, outdoor activities and employee well-being over one year. Land. Urban Plan., 160, 38-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2016.12.005
Lacanna, G., Wagenaar, C., Avernaetem, T. & Swamim, V. (2018). Evaluating the psychosocial impact
of indoor public spaces in complex healthcare settings. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 12(3), 11-30. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586718812439
Lee, M.S., Lee, J.Y., Park, B.J. & Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce
psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: A randomized crossover study. J Physiol Anthropol., 34, 21. 10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8
Lee, B.Y. (2020). Psychological and physiological benefits of plants in the indoor environment: A mini
and in-depth review. Int. J. Built Env. Sust., 8, 57–67. doi: 10.11113/IJBES.V8.N1.597
Lee, A-Y., Kim, H-R., Kwon, H.J., Kim, S-Y. & Park, S-A. (2021). Improving children’s emotional health
through installing biowalls in classrooms. Journal of People Plants Environment, 24(1), 29-38.
MacNaughton, P., Satish, U., Laurent, J.G.C., Flanigan, S., Vallarino, J., Coull, B., Spengler, J.D. & Allen,
J.G. (2017). The impact of working in a green certified building on cognitive function and health. Build. Environ., 114(2017), 178-186. 10.1016/j.buildenv.2016.11.041
McSweeney, J., Johnson, S., Sherry, S., Singleton, J. & Rainham, D. (2021). Indoor nature exposure
and influence on physiological stress markers. Int. J. Environ. Health Res., 31, 636–650. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1679357
Nieuwenhuis, M., Knight, C., Postmes, T. & Haslam, S.A. (2014). The relative benefits of green versus
lean office space: Three field experiments. J. Experi. Psych. –Applied, 20(3), 199-214. doi: 10.1037/xap0000024
Park, S.A., Song, C., Choi, J.Y., Son, K.C., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Foliage plants cause physiological
and psychological relaxation as evidenced by measurements of prefrontal cortex activity and profile of mood states. HortScience, 51(10), 1308-1312.
Park, S., Song, C., Oh, Y.A., Miyazaki, Y., & Son, K.C. (2017). Comparison of physiological and
psychological relaxation using measurements of heart rate variability, prefrontal cortex activity, and subjective indexes after completing tasks with and without foliage plants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(9), 1087.
Park, SA. (2020). Indoor green plants are beneficial to mental health. AHTA Magazine, 48(3), 4-5.
Park, SA., Jeong, JE. & Wu, YT. (2021). Real foliage plants as visual stimuli to improve
and psychological stability in adults. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1330: XV International
People Plant Symposium and II International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: The Role of Horticulture in Human Well-being and Social Development.
Pichlhöfer, A., Sesto, E., Hollands, J. & Korjenic, A. (2021). Health-related benefits of different indoor
plant species in a school setting. Sustainability, 13, 9566. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179566
Raanaas, R.K., Evenson, K.H., Rich, D., Sjostrom, G. & Patil, G. (2011). Benefits of indoor plants on
attention capacity in an office setting. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(1), 99-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.11.005
Rosenthal, G. (2021). Plant protection unity spans a continent. USDA Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
Smith, A. & Pitt, M. (2011). Healthy workplace: Plantscaping for indoor environmental quality.
Facilities, 29(3/4), 169-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771111109289
Toyoda, M., Yokata, Y., Barnes, M. & Kaeko, M. (2019). Potential of a small indoor plant on the desk
for reducing office workers’ stress. HortTechnology, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04427-19
Ulrich, R.S., Cordoza, M., Gardiner, S.K., Manulik, B., Fitzpatrick, P.S., Hazen, T.M. & Perkins, R.S.
(2020). ICU patient family stress recovery during breaks in a hospital garden indoor environment. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 13(2), 83-102. doi:
10.1097/JPN.0000000000000247.
van den Bogerd, Dijkstra, N.S.C., Koole, S.L., Seidell, J.C., de Vries, R. & Maas, J. (2020). Nature in the
indoor and outdoor study environment and secondary and tertiary education students' well-being, academic outcomes, and possible mediating pathways: A systematic review with recommendations for science and practice. Health & Place, 66(2020), 102403.
van den Bogerd, N., Coosje Dijkstra, S., Koole, S.L., Seidell, J.C. & Maas, J. (2021). Greening the room:
A quasi-experimental study on the presence of potted plants in study rooms on mood, cognitive performance, and perceived environmental quality among university students.
Journal of Environmental Psychology, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2021.101557.
Zhang, Y., Ou, D., Chen, Q., Kang, S. & Au, G. (2022). The effects of indoor plants and traffic noise on
English reading comprehension of Chinese university students in home offices. Front. Psychol., 29. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1003268
- (2021). J. Scott Angle: Treating the blues with greens. FNGLA.
> Examples of interiorscapes
Alice and Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory at MossRehab, Einstein Healthcare Network, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania features a 1500-square-foot conservatory with a living plant wall, space for horticultural therapy, and respite for patients, visitors, and staff. See also, Greenroofs.com.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston Mass. has 2 story indoor sanctuary including second level Morse Conservatory, with strict infection control standards offering a view of the garden in a plant-free environment designed specifically for immunocompromised patients.
Eden Project biomes and outdoor gardens in Cornwall, England, includes interior plantscaped biomes designed for climate change education and environmental advocacy, elaborate art installations using recycled materials, artistically designed outdoor vegetable and flower garden spaces, and more. Built within an old clay mining pit. See also Eden Project: an overview.
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the NY Botanical Garden
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
The Spheres at Amazon headquarters in Seattle feature indoor treehouses and plantscaping to boost employee mental wellbeing, mood, creativity, and productivity.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston Mass. has 2 story indoor sanctuary including second level Morse Conservatory, with strict infection control standards offering a view of the garden in a plant-free environment designed specifically for immunocompromised patients.
Eden Project biomes and outdoor gardens in Cornwall, England, includes interior plantscaped biomes designed for climate change education and environmental advocacy, elaborate art installations using recycled materials, artistically designed outdoor vegetable and flower garden spaces, and more. Built within an old clay mining pit. See also Eden Project: an overview.
Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the NY Botanical Garden
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
The Spheres at Amazon headquarters in Seattle feature indoor treehouses and plantscaping to boost employee mental wellbeing, mood, creativity, and productivity.
> Videos, webinars & websites on interiorscapes
Introduction to houseplants/houseplant 101/Royal Horticultural Society video discusses different types of houseplants
Healing gardens – Therapeutic Landscapes at Henry Ford Hospital has a large interiorscape
Health and well-being benefits of plants website from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension shares reasons why plants are helpful, programs that support this, & medicinal properties.
Mental health benefits of indoor plants (video) from Texas A&M researchers
Modern indoor garden design and small space plant ideas shares multiple examples of indoor plantscaping for homes & workplaces
MossRehab uses LiveWall as TherapyTool
MossRehab horticultural therapy program in the Alice and Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory
10 Best tropical indoor gardens in the world video; examples from Cornwall, Singapore, Spain, New York, Tokyo
RHS site identifies how houseplants support human health.
Healing gardens – Therapeutic Landscapes at Henry Ford Hospital has a large interiorscape
Health and well-being benefits of plants website from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension shares reasons why plants are helpful, programs that support this, & medicinal properties.
Mental health benefits of indoor plants (video) from Texas A&M researchers
Modern indoor garden design and small space plant ideas shares multiple examples of indoor plantscaping for homes & workplaces
MossRehab uses LiveWall as TherapyTool
MossRehab horticultural therapy program in the Alice and Herbert Sachs Therapeutic Conservatory
10 Best tropical indoor gardens in the world video; examples from Cornwall, Singapore, Spain, New York, Tokyo
RHS site identifies how houseplants support human health.
Written & compiled by Lesley Fleming, Susan Morgan Nov 2021; revised by Lesley Fleming, Bree Stark Nov 2022