People spend the majority of their time indoor for different activities such as at home, school, and office so low air quality has an adverse effect on the health of people. Poor indoor air quality causes different health problems such as asthma, irritation, allergies, headaches, nausea, muscle aches, etc. According to US Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to indoor pollutants is 100 times more than outdoor pollutants. Indoor pollutant consists of several toxic gases such as volatile organic compounds (VOC), Trichloroethylene (TCE), xylene, toluene and formaldehyde, octane, α-pinene, benzene, Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), pesticides, etc. It is crucial to maintain indoor air quality. The use of air conditioners and artificial ventilation is expensive as well as consumes more energy so it is necessary to modify air quality without consumption of energy. People are unknown of the effect of indoor plants on air quality so they usually select indoor plants based on aesthetic beauty, durability, and maintenance cost.

But in recent times, the use of indoor plants to modify air quality become a subject of investigation and research.

Here is the different mechanism of removal of an air pollutant from the indoor atmosphere.

1) During light-dependent photosynthesis on leaves, it consumes Carbon dioxide and generates oxygen as a byproduct.

2) It also increases air humidity through transpiration on the stomata of leaves.

3) Rhizosphere microflora also removes air pollutants.

4) Stomata absorbs gaseous plants which are accumulated to internal structures.

5)

 The following plants are useful indoor plants to maintain air quality.

1) Areca Palm

This plant usually reduces air pollutants( carbon monoxide, Volatile organic compounds, Carbon dioxide). The capacity of plants to reduce pollutants depends upon the absorption through stomata and diffusion through the cuticle. Plants-associated bacteria also disintegrate the toxic organic compounds.

2) Dracaena sanderiana

These plants have the capacity to remove benzene under light conditions.

3) spider plant

Spider plant roots will absorb formaldehyde and root exudate will enhance the pollutant degradation so it has a role in the removal of formaldehyde.

4) Bamboo palm

This plant filters the benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and trichloroethylene.

Phytoremediation is an affordable and more environmentally friendly means to purify polluted indoor air.