Comparison of Particulate Matter Trapping Capacities of Commercial Ornamental Succulent Plants

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of succulent plants in reducing particulate matter (PM) and investigate how their morphological traits relate to their PM trapping capacity. In a controlled experiment, 50 cultivars from eight genera within the families Crassulaceae and Asphodelaceae were exposed to PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in a sealed chamber. The amount of PM deposited was quantified using a gravimetric method. The results revealed that succulent plants were more effective in reducing PM than typical foliage plants. Furthermore, the PM trapping capacity varied among cultivars. Cultivars with a greater number of smaller leaves exhibited higher PM-trapping efficiency. Additionally, surface features such as trichomes, tubercles, and pubescence played a significant role in enhancing PM deposition. These findings suggest that the morphological charac-teristics, particularly the presence of complex surface structures, are crucial for PM reduction. In conclusion, succulents, especially those with well-developed surface structures such as trichomes, have the potential to significantly improve indoor air quality. These plants can be considered valuable air-purifying plants for commercial applications.