Research conducted by Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland (2015), investigated the ability of spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) to phytoremediate particulate matter (PM) from indoor air.

Rooms housing different activities (a dental clinic, a perfume-bottling room, a suburban house, an apartment and an office) had plants carefully installed over a 2 month trial period. After which, measurement and analyses of PM from the plants were undertaken for both categories (water washable and trapped in waxes) and in all three size fractions (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and PM_0.2). Simultaneously, gravimetric tests were also undertaken of PM in the test rooms.

The findings of this research indicate that:

• PM leaf accumulation depended on room activity and ranged from 13.62 to 19.79 μg/cm
• Large size fraction (PM₁₀) was the largest proportion found on plant leaves
• Fine size fraction (PM_0.2) was the largest proportion found within plant wax
• Accumulation of particulate matter on leaves involves factors/forces other than gravitation

Particulate matter of all size fractions were accumulated by the plants irrespective of their location and type of activity taking palce in the room, indicating that they phytoremediate PM from indoor air. Fine PM, the most harmful to human health, is accumulated to a greater extent because it is attached more tightly to leaves and is thereby phytostabilised more effectively. This reduces the risk to human health to a greater extent.