How Indoor Plants Remove Harmful VOCs in Commercial Spaces?

Modern workplaces are designed to be energy-efficient, comfortable, and visually appealing - but many are unknowingly filled with invisible pollutants that affect both indoor air quality and wellbeing. These pollutants, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are released from common materials and activities found in commercial environments, such as paints, furniture, flooring, printers, cleaning products and more.

The good news is that nature provides an effective solution. Indoor plants - when professionally selected, installed, and maintained - have been proven to reduce harmful VOC levels significantly. Through a series of studies conducted by Ambius and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the air-purifying capabilities of plants have been scientifically confirmed, demonstrating that plants can remove up to 97% of petrol-related VOCs within just 8 hours under optimal conditions.

In this article, we’ll explore how VOCs affect indoor environments, how plants work to absorb and break them down, and how Ambius uses research-backed methods to create cleaner, healthier indoor air in workplaces across Australia.

What are VOCs and where do they come from?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases released from materials or processes within indoor environments. While often invisible, they can accumulate to harmful levels in sealed buildings.

In commercial spaces, VOCs are commonly emitted by:

• Office furnishings and carpets: adhesives, foam, and fabric coatings
• Paints and sealants: solvents and protective finishes
• Printers and photocopiers: toner emissions and cleaning fluids
• Building materials: particleboard, laminates, and vinyl flooring
• Daily activities: cleaning sprays, perfumes, and kitchen equipment

These compounds include chemicals like benzene, toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde, which can contribute to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, throat irritation, and reduced concentration. Over time, prolonged exposure to VOCs has been linked to more serious health issues.

Since modern offices are tightly sealed to reduce energy loss, pollutants can become trapped indoors - making air purification a critical consideration for workplace design.

The role of indoor plants in VOC removal

Plants have a remarkable natural ability to clean the indoor air. This process occurs through several mechanisms that work together to absorb, break down, and neutralise harmful compounds.

1. Absorption

Plants absorb VOCs through microscopic pores on their leaves called stomata. These pores act like tiny filters, drawing in air during photosynthesis. As VOCs pass through, the plant captures and breaks down many harmful compounds into simpler, harmless substances like carbon dioxide and water.

2. Microbial activity in the root zone

The plant’s roots and the surrounding soil or potting medium also play a crucial role in air purification. Microorganisms that live in the root zone (rhizosphere) help metabolise VOCs, converting them into nutrients that the plant can use for growth. This microbial partnership makes indoor plants particularly effective air purifiers.

3. Continuous filtration system

Unlike mechanical filters that require replacement, plants continuously filter the air as part of their natural growth process. This makes them a sustainable, self-regenerating solution for indoor air purification.

Ambius & UTS research: The science behind cleaner air

Ambius partnered with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to conduct one of the world’s most comprehensive studies on how indoor plants remove harmful VOCs.
The results were groundbreaking.

The research found that:

• Plants can remove up to 97% of petrol-related VOCs within just 8 hours, under standard indoor conditions.
   
• Once VOCs are absorbed, they are metabolised and broken down into non-toxic compounds by the plant and its root microbes.
   
• Even a small number of plants can deliver measurable improvements in indoor air quality across an entire office floor.

This evidence supports the use of plants as a practical and scientifically validated air purification method. It also underscores Ambius’ commitment to combining research, design, and expert horticultural care to improve workplace environments.

Ambius plant hire solutions for air quality improvement

Ambius provides tailored indoor plant hire and maintenance services for commercial environments across Australia, helping businesses create cleaner, healthier workplaces backed by science.

1. Professional consultation and design

Ambius interior plantscape consultants assess each space based on layout, size of the space, light levels, traffic flow and similar. They then design a specific plantscaping solution that improves indoor air quality while complementing the space’s aesthetics and brand identity.

2. Ambius Grow Formula

Healthy plants are essential for air purification. Ambius uses its Ambius GROW Formula - Groom, Rotate, Observe, Water - to maintain plant vitality and effectiveness. This method ensures plants remain in peak condition, performing consistently in VOC absorption and oxygen release.

3. Sub-irrigation systems

Ambius uses Ambius best practice sub-irrigation watering system that delivers water directly to the plant roots, reducing top watering and preventing conditions where pests thrive. This not only promotes plant health but also keeps workspaces clean and disruption-free.

4. Expert maintenance

With 17 scheduled maintenance visits per year, Ambius horticultural experts ensure each installation continues to deliver maximum performance. This includes watering, grooming, fertilising, and replacing plants as needed to maintain consistent air-purifying results.

Final thoughts

VOCs are an unavoidable part of modern indoor environments, but they don’t have to compromise workplace health. With Ambius’ research-backed plant hire solutions, businesses can harness the natural power of plants to clean the air, support sustainability, and create spaces where employees and clients feel their best.

From initial consultation to ongoing maintenance, Ambius ensures every plant installation contributes to cleaner, safer, and more inspiring indoor environments - helping Australian businesses breathe easier and work better.