What type of house plants grow indoors for decoration?

An ''epiphyte'' is a plant that grows on the surface of other plants for physical support and does not necessarily affect the host negatively (reverse of parasite). It derives its moisture and nutrients from air, rain and water. The older parts of a plant will have more epiphytes growing on them. Epiphytes make ''houseplants'' due to their minimal water and soil requirements. The best-known 'epiphytic' plants include mosses, orchids, and bromeliads. Mosses are small, flowerless plants. Orchids are flowering plants, with blooms that are often colourful and fragnant. Bromeliads are grass and grass-like flowering plants. A houseplant is grown in places such as residences and offices namely for decorative purposes. They help indoor air purification, reduce pollution by absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOC) including benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Plants can remove carbon dioxide, the effect has been investigated for use in spacecraft.

Toxic pollutants are absorbed by the plant and its soil-dwelling microbes without harm. Houseplants need the correct moisture, light levels, soil mixture, temperature and humidity. It needs proper fertilizer and correct-sized pots. Popular houseplants in 2021 include pothos, cactus and hoyas (India). It was conducted a two-year study in 1989 to test the ability of houseplants to remove several VOC from the air. A 2015 study showed it can reduce physiological and psychological stress compared with mental work.