Psycho-physiological responses to plant variegation as measured through eye movement, self-reported emotion and cerebral activity

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different variegation of interior plant foliage on visual attention, subjective emotions and cerebral activity. Thirty Egyptian male subjects were presented with five different varieties of Hedera helix for 60 s in random orders. During this time, eye movements and cerebral activity were recorded, and subjective data were then gathered via a semantic differential scale. The results show clear evidence in support of the use of green-yellow and bright green-coloured plants in locations in which comfort and calmness are required, while red and dark green plants can be used to improve energy in places such as offices and children’s areas. In contrast, the green-white plants stimulated mostly negative emotions. These findings suggest that landscape and interior designers should pay more attention for choosing foliage colours during indoor decoration.