India, Nov. 12 -- Nurseries are reporting a surge in demand for air-purifying plants as Delhi battles rising pollution. "While such plants remain a loved category throughout the year, there is still a minimum of two-three times surge in their sales during the time of peak pollution period," says Akanksha Gupta, co-founder of online nursery Urvann. Anticipating demand, the nursery has stocked up on its AirCare Plants range and larger plant bundles.

As Delhiites turn to indoor greenery amid rising pollution, nurseries are seeing demand for Areca palm, Rhapis palm, Cane palm and China palm, alongside snake plants, money plants, fiddle-leaf figs and ferns.

Certain plants can absorb some airborne pollutants, but a few potted plants cannot fi...