Can climbing plants help purify the air in cities?

In the face of rising particulate matter (PM) pollution, green infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important factor in improving air quality. In a recent study, researchers analyzed the potential of 14 species of climbing plants to accumulate and retain particulate matter—including after rainfall.

The study found that plants differ in their ability to retain PM particles—both those washed away by rain, those remaining on the leaf surface, and those trapped in the waxy layer. The Campsis radicans ‘Ursynów’ variety demonstrated particularly high effectiveness, indicating its great potential for long-term pollution retention.