When plants "listen" to music, sound waves stimulate their cells, potentially boosting metabolism, nutrient absorption, and growth, with studies suggesting classical and Indian ragas encourage growth (even increasing biomass and yield) while harsh music like heavy metal can cause stress or death, though results vary, and proper scientific controls are crucial, as it's the specific frequencies and vibrations, not the "enjoyment," that matter.
Just like anyone else, plants have their favorite genres of music. Overall, they respond more to soothing rhythmic vibration and classical music than jazz and rock. This extends far beyond the reaches of European classical music.
No. Plants are simple organisms with no nervous system to detect pain or brain to register it.
If the stomata are forced to remain open the plant will not be able to control the amount of water lost via transpiration and so it risks dehydration. So exposing your plant to music for more than 3 hours a day could endanger its health.
The answer lies in sound waves. Plants have cell membranes that respond to sound. Gentle music can stimulate cell walls, activating the plant's metabolism. When sound waves fall within a certain range, plant pores open up, allowing easier absorption of water and nutrients.
Research by South Korea's National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology shows that plants begin to react to sound at 70 decibels. Lucky for us, 70 decibels is the sound level for the average human conversation. The more and the louder you talk or play music around your plants, the more stimulated they will be.
Not all sound is helpful. Loud or aggressive noises like traffic, construction or heavy metal music have been shown to stress plants, disrupting water movement and damaging cell walls. However, in some studies, certain stress-inducing sound treatments have actually boosted plant resilience to drought and disease.
The experts found that the music had considerable and immediate positive effects on the growth of the Duckweed plants. The musical plants performed better, recording about 10 percent higher leaf growth than the silent plants.
The science behind it is a bit shaky, but there have been studies done by a wide range of researchers that show that yes, plants respond positively to music. They can't “listen” to music the same way we do of course, but the vibrations put off by the sound of music can be picked up on by plants.
“Smithsonian and Nasa show that mild vibrations increase growth in plants while harsher, stronger vibrations have a negative effect,” Dr Hes explains. “The vibrations improve communication and photosynthesis, which improves growth and the ability to fight infection. You could say the plants are happy!”
Groundbreaking research has discovered that plants emit ultrasonic sounds when stressed, damaged, or eaten, essentially "screaming" in frequencies above human hearing range.
In plant biology, plant memory describes the ability of a plant to retain information from experienced stimuli and respond at a later time. For example, some plants have been observed to raise their leaves synchronously with the rising of the sun. Other plants produce new leaves in the spring after overwintering.
SAN ANTONIO - A new study shows that stressed plants "scream" while being harvested. A 2023 study published by Cell shows that distressed plants produce clicking noises that humans can't hear without scientific equipment. The study also showed that unstressed plants do not emit noises.
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.
Heavy Metal: Not All Music is Good for Plants
While gentle music may benefit plants, the opposite seems true for heavy metal. Loud, aggressive sounds can actually impede plant growth. Scientists have discovered that overly loud music can damage plant cell walls.
Music mimics the natural vibrations of the wild. Flora relies on these vibrations to source water[2]. So, indoor plants, while protected from the elements, innately respond well to a tranquil tune. Outside, music attracts pollinators like bees to garden flowers.
While plants don't have ears, they can "hear" sounds in their local environment and react. Sounds can stimulate plants to produce more nectar, pump out toxins or grow towards water, for example.
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. Plants react favorably to low levels of vibrations.
For most plants playing classical or jazz music caused growth to increase, while harsher metal music induced stress. This may be because the vibrations of metal music are too intense for plants and stimulate cells a little too much. We think of this like massaging your plant with a song – they prefer a gentler touch.
Playing classical music to plants could help them grow more, a study has suggested. Plants played a series of Bach concertos as they grew ended up heavier and leafier. But plants exposed to rock music grew more poorly, according to the research involving a team of crop scientists and an Oxford psychologist.
Studies show low-frequency vibrations (around 100–500 Hz) can improve germination and root development. Even classical music has been shown to help in some trials—but don't go blasting Slipknot just yet.
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.
Plants can perceive light, scent, touch, wind, even gravity, and are able to respond to sounds, too.
Studies have shown that both plants and living green walls are an effective way to absorb sound and noise pollution. Beyond their sound absorbing qualities, plants and biophilic elements can help to improve a worker's overall well-being.