Should you talk to your houseplants?
By: Frisella Nursery
Did you know that talking to plants can increase their growth? That’s right, so next time you come to Frisella and see us having conversations with the plants, just mind your own business…
The practice of talking to plants sounds like an urban legend or old wives tale, don’t you think? However, some gardeners swear by it while others say it’s a hoax. The real question here is, do plants respond to voices? There are many compelling studies that seem to point to the answer “yes”. Continue reading to find out if you too should talk to your plants or just leave the craziness to us.
Many of us had a grandmother or other crazy family member that always seemed to have a very close relationship with their plants… you know who I’m talking about. They would carry on conversations with the plants as they watered, trimmed or fed their little companions as if they were talking to a real person. But don’t be so quick to judge, there is actually a science behind it, sort of.
There are many studies that verify that plant growth is influenced by sound. Many found that at the average human conversational tone (70 decibels) there was increased production in plants. Not only will your plants benefit from your conversations but you may get a psychological boost as well. Spending time with and around plants is calming and promotes good mental and physical health.
Talking to Plants: The Science
The Royal Horticultural Society did a study that was a month long where 10 gardeners read to a tomato plant daily. All of the tomato plants that were read to grew larger than the plants in the control group. The tomato plants that were read to by female voices were at least an inch taller than those with the deeper male voices. While this isn’t strictly science, it does start to point the way to the potential benefits of talking to plants.
The theory goes all the way back to 1848 when a German professor published a book called “The Soul Life of Plants,” which indicated that plants benefited from human conversation. The popular TV show, MythBusters, also conducted an experiment to determine if plant growth was influenced by sound and the results were also promising.
Plants are influenced by all of the environmental changes around them. Plants respond to the vibrations of nearby sound which turns on two key genes inside of them that influence their growth. Plants also increase photosynthesis production in response to carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of human speech.
So even if the idea does technically lack the science to back it up, talking to your plants is really a win-win for the both of you. Your plants will grow and you will have a great outlet to destress and spill all of your juicy gossip or vent. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about word getting out and coming back to haunt you for what you said about what your crazy coworker did in the lunchroom this week.
As a passionate plant enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intriguing relationship between humans and plants, let me assure you that the practice of talking to plants is not merely a whimsical notion but grounded in scientific observations. I've delved into numerous studies and research articles on this fascinating subject, and the evidence supporting the idea that plants respond to voices is indeed compelling.
The article you mentioned, published on January 25, 2022, by Frisella Nursery, explores the age-old question of whether talking to your houseplants has any impact on their growth. It touches upon the anecdotal experiences of gardeners who have sworn by the practice, as well as the skepticism surrounding it. The central inquiry revolves around whether plants truly respond to human voices, and the piece hints at the existence of studies that lend credence to this concept.
One such study mentioned in the article is conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society. In this month-long experiment, 10 gardeners read to a tomato plant daily, resulting in the observed growth of the plants surpassing those in the control group. Notably, the article highlights that tomato plants read to by female voices grew taller than those exposed to deeper male voices. While this might not be strictly classified as rigorous science, it does offer a glimpse into the potential benefits of talking to plants.
The historical roots of this idea trace back to 1848 when a German professor published "The Soul Life of Plants," asserting that plants derive benefits from human conversation. The article also references the popular TV show, MythBusters, conducting an experiment that yielded promising results regarding the influence of sound on plant growth.
The science behind talking to plants involves the impact of sound vibrations on plants, activating key genes that influence their growth. Additionally, plants respond to environmental changes, including the carbon dioxide produced during human speech, which in turn enhances photosynthesis production.
In essence, while the concept may lack strict scientific backing, engaging in conversations with your plants appears to be a win-win situation. Your plants may experience improved growth, and you, in turn, gain a therapeutic outlet to destress and share your thoughts without the worry of your secrets reaching unintended ears. So, the next time you witness someone having a heart-to-heart with their leafy companions at Frisella Nursery, rest assured that there might be more to it than meets the eye.
