Indoor architectural spaces constitute the primary settings for the daily work and life of urban residents, and their health implications have garnered increasing scholarly attention. Among various environmental factors, indoor plants hold a crucial role in enhancing human health. Nonetheless, existing research on the restorative eff ects of indoor plants on human attention remains fragmented and lacks systematic organization. Drawing upon literature published between 2000 and 2024 and indexed in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science Core Collection, this study utilizes bibliometric methods to systematically analyze quantitative empirical studies on the relationship between indoor plants and attention restoration. The review emphasizes the primary themes, the development of methodologies, and emerging research trends within this domain, with particular focus on three key aspects. (1) Measurement approaches and outcomes of attention infl uenced by indoor plants; (2) Empirical evidence of attention restoration benefi ts; (3) Diff erential eff ects across population groups. The results reveal three major fi ndings: (1) Research participants have gradually expanded from predominantly university students to include children, older adults, and sub-healthy groups, yet comparative analyses of group-specifi c eff ects remain limited; (2) Methodological tools have evolved from self-reported scales toward incorporating physiological indicators, thereby enhancing the scientifi crigor and comparability of fi ndings; (3) Research foci have shifted from visual perception to multi-sensory pathways such as olfactory and tactile stimulation, with growing attention to the synergistic eff ects of multi-sensory integration. Despite these advances, notable gaps remain in theoretical depth, ecological validity, and methodological innovation. Future research should deepen in four directions: extending population coverage with an emphasis on children and aging groups; foregrounding the role of attention regulation within behavioral and cognitive processes; diversifying plant species and attributes to better approximate real-world indoor scenarios; and examining the interactive eff ects of multiple environmental factors and multisensory stimulation on attention restoration. This review aims to provide theoretical insights and methodological guidance for advancing research on indoor plants and attention recovery, while also off ering references for designing health-oriented indoor environments and enriching interdisciplinary dialogue within landscape architecture and environmental psychology.