PhD Student Transforms Balcony at Kerala Uni into Stunning, ‘Healing’ Vertical Garden

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Aarushi Agrawal2 days ago

Kerala University's vertical garden Viridescent Haven
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 evolution; phytochemistry, a branch of chemistry concerned with plant and plant products; and molecular biology.
The vertical garden has several locally available, indoor air purifying plants including sansevieria, spider lily, hemigraphis, drosera, and lucky bamboo. These were chosen for their purifying properties, based on a NASA study that Reshma referred to. The space also follows the university’s ‘green protocol,’ which means that the pots and other elements used are biodegradable and eco-friendly.
“Its main component is that plants, along with other natural elements, have the capacity to reduce indoor air pollutants,” says Reshma. Studies show that 20 per cent of the body’s oxygen is used by the brain to function. Cleaner air allows for greater clarity of mind and improves focus and concentration.
Entrance to Kerala University’s Viridescent Haven, set up by PhD student Reshma PR. All photos courtesy of Reshma
Healing and rejuvenating
Reshma describes the 50-square-foot space, funded by the university, as an indoor healing garden.
Dr Bindu says that healing gardens are a popular concept in foreign countries, and when teamed with medication, help with patients’ speedy recovery. They aid mental and physical healing and are especially useful for patients in recovery after extended hospital stays. Healing gardens offer patients a space to experience at least short-term relief from some of their symptoms and provide an overall sense of wellbeing and hopefulness.
“Healing gardens are usually set up in countries abroad, especially in hospitals. There are many types of healing gardens like psychiatric hospital gardens, and nursing home gardens. So we thought, why not adopt the concept for a home garden to enjoy the healing power of plants?” says Dr Bindu.
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