Adaptation of indoor ornamental plants to various lighting levels in growth chambers simulating workplace environments

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 17424 - 10
• Main Authors: Sugano, Soma, Ishii, Masahisa, Tanabe, Shin-ichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 29-07-2024; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/449/2686; 704/172; Adaptation, Physiological; Biomass; Biophilic design; Daily light integral; Daylength; Energy conservation; Energy efficiency; Foliage; Growth analysis; Growth chambers; Humanities and Social Sciences; Indoor environments; Indoor greenery; Leaf area; Leaves; Light; Light compensation point; Light intensity; Lighting; multidisciplinary; Ornamental plants; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - radiation effects; Plant Leaves - growth & development; Plant Leaves - radiation effects; Plants; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Working Conditions; Workplace; Biophilic design; Growth analysis; Indoor greenery; Light compensation point; Daily light integral
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67877-y

Despite the growing interest in indoor greenery and its positive effects on occupants’ well-being, there is limited knowledge on the optimal light levels for indoor plants that ensure energy efficiency and sustainable growth. This study explored the survival of ornamental plants under low-light conditions typical of indoor workplaces without daylight and investigated the impact of increased light intensity or extended day length on their growth. Three species of foliage plants (
Epipremnum aureum
,
Pachira aquatica
, and
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
) were cultivated in growth chambers with three different lighting schemes. The results showed that plants sustained growth with 6.8 μmol m
−2
s
−1
white LED light for 9 h/day, suggesting that extra lighting might not be necessary for shade-tolerant species in offices. In this environment, plants maintained efficient photosynthesis under low illumination by increasing their specific leaf area. Elevating the light to 20.1 μmol m
−2
s
−1
and extending the day length to 18 h/day enhanced the plants’ relative growth rate. Climbing plants allocated more biomass to stems, resulting in a lower leaf weight ratio and noticeably altering their appearance. This study demonstrates that customized lighting strategies effectively support indoor greening goals, like adjusting intensity for energy savings or adding light for greening large spaces.