Houseplants are not only interior decorations but also a functioning ecological system capable of cooling the air, increasing humidity, and purifying it from pollutants.
A study by the University of Surrey involving 35 experts from eight countries has shown that large greening systems—living walls and hydroponic towers—can create a subjective feeling of coolness of up to two degrees, humidify dry air, and reduce concentrations of fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.
There is also evidence that plants enrich indoor microbiomes with beneficial microorganisms; however, the long-term health effects are still being studied.
Moreover, the benefits do not arise automatically: they depend on the proper selection of plants, lighting, ventilation, and regular maintenance. Without these conditions, even a green wall will remain just a decorative element. The authors of the study urge designers to stop viewing plants solely as decoration and to integrate them into building architecture alongside ventilation and heating. In a world where people spend 90% of their time indoors, greening can become a necessity rather than a luxury.
