Investigating the role of indoor plants in reducing (absorbing) BTEX compounds from indoor air: a systematic review

BTEX compounds (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene) are hazardous indoor air pollutants known for their carcinogenic properties and adverse effects on respiratory health. This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, investigates the potential of indoor plants to reduce or remove BTEX from indoor air. A comprehensive search across Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science yielded 687 articles, with 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria after rigorous screening. The findings indicate that removal efficiencies vary widely, ranging from –25% to 100%, with phytoremediation (82.4%) and microbial degradation (17.5%) identified as the primary removal mechanisms. Commonly studied species included Ficus benjamina, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, and Aglaonema brevispathum. However, practical application remains constrained by the limited effect size per plant, often necessitating large quantities for meaningful pollutant reduction. While indoor plants offer a natural, sustainable, and cost-effective approach to improving indoor air quality, challenges related to cost, maintenance, and scalability must be addressed. Future research should prioritize cost-benefit analyses, pollutant-specific plant selection, and standardized experimental metrics such as mg/h/m² to facilitate real-world implementation. This study conducts the first comprehensive systematic review on potted plants’ ability to remove BTEX pollutants from indoor spaces, providing a quantitative analysis to update current knowledge and fill a 5-year research gap, aiming to establish a robust evidence base for using potted plants as a sustainable solution for indoor air pollution.