Talking to plants doesn't directly make them understand words, but the sound vibrations and the extra carbon dioxide from your breath can stimulate growth, while the practice also encourages better overall care, leading to healthier plants; mild sounds and gentle vibrations seem beneficial, whereas harsh noise can be detrimental, but proper light, water, and nutrients are still most important.
Short answer: Talking to plants has no direct, reproducible physiological effect on plant growth from the sound of human speech itself; any observed benefits come from secondary factors that accompany interacting with plants.
While some dismiss this as anecdotal, experiments like those conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society reveal possible benefits of soft speech or sound around plants. Plants exposed to recorded voices grew better than those left in silence, suggesting that there may be validity to the idea.
Talking to plants does nothing.
Research shows that speaking nicely to plants will support their growth, whereas yelling at them won't. Rather than the meaning of words, however, this may have more to do with vibrations and volume.
Surprisingly, though scientists have not reached a strong conclusion, there is mounting evidence to suggest that sound waves, whether from our voices or from music, may indeed help plants grow strong.
Gen Z's plant obsession stems from a desire for mental health relief, a connection to nature in a digital world, sustainable living, and aesthetic appeal, offering purpose, calm, and a sense of nurturing, especially post-pandemic, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Plants provide a tangible, grounding activity that counters digital overload and fosters a slower pace, fulfilling needs for self-care, control, and community building through shared plant parenthood.
Here's the good news: plants do respond to the sound of your voice. In a study conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society, research demonstrated that plants did respond to human voices.
Create a Cowplant Berry by grafting a Dragonfruit to a Snapdragon. Your Sim will need to be a level 5 in the Gardening skill to graft plants.
So I don't have "talk to plant" as an option. It has to be in season and your gardening skill needs to be 4 or higher.
Research suggests: Stimulated Growth: Exposure to 432 Hz frequencies can enhance cellular activities in plants, leading to stronger stems and leaves. Improved Photosynthesis: Vibrations may increase chlorophyll production, boosting the plant's energy conversion process.
While they don't have nervous systems, like humans do, plants react to light, sound, touch, and even subtle vibrations. Studies show they alter their growth patterns, leaf movements, and responses when touched, exposed to sound, or surrounded by human presence.
The results showed that positivity in the environment and words had a significant positive effect on plant growth. Plant seeds under the influence of the positive words had a higher germination rate, and these plants grew taller, larger, and healthier than that in negative environment.
Other research shows that speaking nicely to plants will support their growth, whereas shouting at them angrily or rudely won't.
The ghost of a Sim eaten by the Cowplant will make plants grow when happy but kill them when in a bad mood.
Anthurium. Also called flamingo flower, this plant practically exudes love: Both the leaves and flowers are heart shaped! Anthurium is a long-lived houseplant; with proper care, puts on a show for years. The flowers are long-lasting, too -- with enough warmth and humidity, each bloom can last for months.
They're listening. That's the overarching conclusion from multiple research studies: While plants don't have ears, they can "hear" sounds in their local environment. More importantly, they can react.
Plants do not feel pain because they don't have a brain for any signals to be sent to. Imagine if a human didn't have a brain; they could get cut, but they wouldn't know and there wouldn't be anything to tell that they are in pain...so technically they would not be in pain.
Whilst boomers and millennials may use the 😂 emoji, this has long since been deemed 'uncool' (or 'cheugy') by Gen Z. Instead, this has been replaced by the skull (💀) or the crying emoji (😭), dramatising the idea of 'dying with laughter'.
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is the plant known for removing a significant amount of airborne mold, with studies showing it can eliminate around 78% of mold spores and 94% of fecal particles in 12 hours in sealed environments, though real-world effectiveness varies and it's toxic if ingested, making other options like Peace Lilies and Snake Plants popular for general air purification.
Gardening for mental health
It can help boost mood or reduce stress. Time in nature can offer a respite from the sensory overload that can be part of modern life. Gardening helps me get away from the overstimulation in my everyday life. Gardens and plants are not judgmental.
Plants can perceive light, scent, touch, wind, even gravity, and are able to respond to sounds, too. No, music will not help plants grow—even classical—but other audio cues can help plants survive and thrive in their habitats.
Just like all living things, plants can feel the words you use towards them. Positivity breeds positivity. Tell them how much you love their color. I love your beautiful color, Cathy.