Potential risks and beneficial impacts of using indoor plants in the biophilic design of healthcare facilities: A scoping review

Abstract

Despite the wealth of scientific research on the health-promoting values of nature in space, incorporating indoor plants in the design of healthcare facilities has significant challenges. Given the dispersion of studies spanning several disciplines and lack of evidence, healthcare building designers often ignore beneficial impacts in favour of preventing nosocomial infections, resulting in indoor plants being used conservatively or substituted for artificial ones. Via a cross-disciplinary approach, this scoping review aimed to provide an overview of scholarly works that have examined the risks and benefits of integrating natural indoor plants in the design of healthcare facilities as one of the prime biophilic design elements commonly used for creating restorative environments. Twenty-eight peer-reviewed articles were selected through a systematic process in accordance with the eligibility criteria (studies examining the impacts of indoor plants on health risks and benefits for healthcare users) for final analysis. Health risks of the presence of natural indoor plants were explored concerning poor indoor air quality caused by pathogenic fungal/bacterial components released from potting soils. Benefits of physical and/or visual access to indoor plants were discussed in relation to improved non-light visual comfort and air quality, resulting in reduced emotional stress/anxiety, as well as enhanced general health, subjective wellbeing, and cognitive performance. This paper argues that multidisciplinary research is warranted on the application of biophilic design principles, particularly the use of natural elements, in the design of healthcare facilities. The finding of this research provides significant evidence that the use of natural indoor plants in the biophilic design of healthcare facilities is an efficient, low-cost, highly effective, and sustainable strategy for creating healing and therapeutic environments.