Gupta S. M. author Agarwal A. author Dev B. author Kumar K. author Prakash O. author Arya M. C. author Nasim M. author text journal article 2016 Photosynthetic parameters including net photosynthetic rate (P _N), transpiration rate (E), water-use efficiency (WUE), and stomatal conductance (g _s) were studied in indoor C₃ plants Philodendron domesticum (Pd), Dracaena fragans (Df), Peperomia obtussifolia (Po), Chlorophytum comosum (Cc), and in a CAM plant, Sansevieria trifasciata (St), exposed to various low temperatures (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25°C). All studied plants survived up to 0°C, but only St and Cc endured, while other plants wilted, when the temperature increased back to room temperature (25°C). The P _N declined rapidly with the decrease of temperature in all studied plants. St showed the maximum P _N of 11.9 μmol m^-2 s^-1 at 25°C followed by Cc, Po, Pd, and Df. E also followed a trend almost similar to that of P _N. St showed minimum E (0.1 mmol m^-2 s^-1) as compared to other studied C₃ plants at 25°C. The E decreased up to ≍4-fold at 5 and 0°C. Furthermore, a considerable decline in WUE was observed under cold stress in all C₃ plants, while St showed maximum WUE. Similarly, the g _s also declined gradually with the decrease in the temperature in all plants. Among C₃ plants, Pd and Po showed the maximum g _s of 0.07 mol m^-2 s^-1 at 25°C followed by Df and Cc. However, St showed the minimum g _s that further decreased up to ∼4-fold at 0°C. In addition, the content of photosynthetic pigments [chlorophyll a, b, (a+b), and carotenoids] was varying in all studied plants at 0°C. Our findings clearly indicated the best photosynthetic potential of St compared to other studied plants. This species might be recommended for improving air quality in high-altitude closed environments. house plants; low-temperature stress; net photosynthetic rate; photosynthetic pigment; stomatal conductance; transpiration rate; water-use efficiency 10.1007/s11099-015-0173-7 https://ps.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/phs-201601-0018.php https://ps.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/phs-201601-0018.php continuing 54 1 138 142 2016 03003604 periodical academic journal