Originally reported and written in July 2022, this story has been republished as part of our archival content.

There’s a special green space on the first floor balcony of the botany department at Kerala University’s Kariavattom campus.

Strong sunlight filters through, lively foliage grows out of earthen pots, a small waterfall bubbles in the background, wind chimes tinkle in the wind, and pebbles layer the floor. Located near the library, the Viridescent Haven is a quiet space for visitors to relax and rejuvenate, replete with stools and chairs for students to lounge on.

It was set up by fourth-year PhD student Reshma PR, whose dissertation revolves around indoor air purifying plants with the working title ‘Checking the Efficacy of Plants in Removing Common Indoor Pollutants’. She focuses mainly on the indoor pollutant formaldehyde.

Through experiments, she has found that certain indoor air purifying plants can eliminate formaldehyde compounds found indoors from paints, detergents, and other aspects, she says. “And between homes, offices, and vehicles, human beings spend most of their time indoors,” adds Reshma. These plants absorb the formaldehyde and increase oxygen, purifying the air.

Reshma built this indoor garden under the guidance of Dr Bindu R Nair, a professor at the department of botany, whose research interests include biosystematics, taxonomy based on the study of plant and animal genetic........

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