Potted-plant/growth media interactions and capacities for removal of volatiles from indoor air

The results of an investigation into the capacity of the indoor potted-plant/growth mediummicrocosm to remove air-borne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which contaminate theindoor environment, using three plant species, Howea forsteriana Becc. (Kentia palm),Spathiphyllum Schott. Petite (Peace Lily) and Dracaena deremensis Engl. Janet Craig arepresented. The VOCs selected were benzene and n-hexane, both common contaminants ofindoor air. The findings provide the first comprehensive demonstration of the ability of thepotted-plant system to act as an integrated biofilter in removing these contaminants. Under thetest conditions used, it was found that the micro-organisms of the growth medium were therapid-response agents of VOC removal, the role of the plants apparently being mainly insustaining the root micro-organisms.