Sustainability and home growing
Growing indoors is an emerging area of sustainable horticulture. In the home and office, indoor plants can improve indoor environmental conditions and human wellbeing. Urbanisation is the most significant ecological trend of our times and is the driver for other major environmental changes including deforestation, climate change and pollution. It is associated with a wide range of social, economic and environmental changes, many of which have profound implications for human and environmental health. Due to this the UN has identified a priority to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Closely associated with urbanisation is high density living, and in developed countries this takes the form of apartment and townhouse living, with little or no outdoor space for plants or animals. In this context indoor, courtyard and balcony gardening to improve the amenity of living space is an emerging area of urban sustainability.
Indoor plants and small gardens have the following local environment benefits: 1.Improving indoor air quality by mitigating air pollution 2.Moderating environmental conditions including temperature and humidity 3.Improved acoustics, by moderating noise pollution and softening reverberation. There are also documented benefits for mental health and wellbeing. Plants and green space provide many people with a sense of peace and tending plants can provide deep satisfaction. The application of plant health principles is critical to the sustainability of the practice as it reduces waste and optimises photosynthesis and transpiration to support the ability of plants to buffer indoor environmental variables relevant for health.