Some Scientists & Plant Parents Say The Leafy Greens Like Music, too. Here's Why You Should Hum, Sing or Girl Put Your Records On Your Favorite Song (!) For Your Plants.
Ya water 'em.
You mist 'em.
You talk to 'em.
You even apologizes to 'em.
SEE MORE OF OUR DAY WITH COUNTRY MUSIC ICON, RACHEAL LYNN "RAELYNN" WOODWAR AT LONGHOLLOW GARDENS IN NASHVILLE, TENNESEE FEATURED IN DESTINATION WEDDINGS AND HONEYMOON MAGAZINE (HERE).
But, should you sing to your plants?
Let's look at what the science says.
PHOTO CREDIT: TALK TO THE PLANTS, THEY ARE GREAT LISTENERS, SEATTLE SUCCULENTS #FOODANDWATERFORALL
Believe it our not, there is research to suggests plants enjoy music just like we do. Can listening to music help them develop? Scientist have been studying this topic for a while. I am definitely curious about how music affects plants. I do love what music does for humans and pets. Can it make my plants grow?
Honestly, it's not quite clear or simple and there is some controversy. Here's what I found.
PHOTO FROM ATLANTA AREA SUZUKI PIANO ASSOCIATION
If plants like music then it's true we have a whole lot more in common than I realized. The possible correlations between growth rate and music playing is fascinating and gives me more info about house plants and why we love them.
PHOTO VIA SETTING THE MOOD AT ATLANTA'S SWAN HOUSE GARDEN HOW TO CHOOSE MODERN FLOWERS THAT COMPLEMENT YOUR VENUE AND AESTHETIC, PHOTO BY JULIE PAISLEY, COLONIALHOUSE.NET
Music and Growing Plants
The Science Says
We know that plants don't have ears like us. So how in the world can they hear. Well, they can't exactly hear from what I can find but they are influenced by music. The sound waves create stimulation and when the cells are stimulated nutrients move. Moving nutrients promotes strength and growth and better immunity.
Believe it or not, studies indicate that plants also seem have a specific taste in music! Some genres of music promote growth, whereas others can be damaging. Roses in particular seem to love violin music. 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.
PHOTO: MUSIC FOR PLANTS IS REAL (EVEN IF THE SCIENCE ISN'T), NPR
Botanist Say This
The first person I can find that tested the theory that plants thrive with music was the Indian botanist Dr. T. C. Singh, who in 1962 ran some experiments on a farm by playing classical music through loudspeakers for field crops. He came to the conclusion that music benefits plant growth when the sound of music created 20% higher yields and bigger plants.
According to Pistals Nursery's article Should You Sing To Your Plants? Here's What Science Says, "Devendra Vanol of the Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences in India found that not only does music promote plant growth, but it seems that plants can actually distinguish between different types of sound including different genres of music, nature sounds, and traffic noise. Vanol and her team say it could be advantageous for plants to distinguish sounds to learn about their surrounding environment. More studies need to be done to understand how this works and what this could teach us about plants."
Reda Hassanien of China Agricultural University in Beijing claims his research proves music creates sound waves that improves yields of sweet pepper, cucumber, tomato, spinach, cotton, rice, and wheat. Plus, pests like spider mites, aphids, gray mold, late blight, and virus diseases of tomatoes decreases. So, pump up the volume friends.
Another botanist in Illinois, George Smith who was a skeptical agricultural researcher, planted corn and soybeans in separate greenhouses under controlled conditions and began to experiment with music and plants. In one greenhouse, he played George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” 24 hours a day, producing thicker, greener plants that weighed 40% more for corn and 24% more for soy.
It appears that sound waves from music might improve food production and the lives of our house plants.
SHOP: CLEAR GLASS BOTTLE TERRARIUM BY PARK HILL COLLECTION, COLONIALHOUSE.NET
It's Debatable
Some people claim more research is required and that the science is phony because they believe that the plants that received music may also have received better care. Furthermore, the exact cause of music's effect on plants is unclear. Some think that t that plants may have "mechanoreceptors" that respond to pressure like created by sound waves. Humans have mechanoreceptors in the ears are able to detect and distinguish sound waves in the form of pressure as each wave strikes the inner ear. Plants may be able to sense the same things due to evolution snd survival.
You may find gardeners that swear their plants grow better when listening to Sturgill Simpson or Ludacris, while others say there is still no decisive evidence that music helps plants grow. It can't be denied that some botanists criticize the experiments “proving” this fact as being pseudoscience, or scientifically-flawed and non-replicable.
Maybe we don't know for sure, yet. But, it's a good thing to bring out the jazz or classical or for me, my favorite Outkast song every now and again in my book. It can't hurt to get your groove on and maybe it does promote plant growth. Turn it up loud an clear the next time your water your plant babies and treat those leafy greens like amazing little creatures. The one thing I know for sure is that plants help our world be a better place that is happier and healthier. So, enjoy them to your favorite Tedeschi Trucks song, or not!
PHOTO BY ALI HARPER, A JAW-DROPPING BACKYARD CONSERVATORY IN TENNESSEE: HOW A CHATTANOOGA COUPLE STYLED A GARDEN FOR THE SENSES, GARDEN & GUN
Some Say Music Affects Plants
According to “The Sound of Music and Plants”:
- Plants prefer stringed instruments
- Classical music, including Indian classical music, ragas and Vedic music encourages lush growth
- Heavy metal, New Age and Celtic music increase plant mass and fruit taste
- Jazz also increases growth
I am so fond of Christy and Todd McCain’s conservatory in Tennessee (photo above). Can't you imagine the hanging orchids, citrus trees, and the chandelier designed by Eloise Pickard can't you just picture the dreamy botanical space happily growing with the sounds of cascading fountains, trickling lily pad pod and gentle music playing? It's feels like nature's amphitheater whether it doing any scientific good, or not.
SHOP: COLONIAL HOUSE OF FLOWERS PLANT THINGS, COLONIALHOUSE.NET
Have You Played Music For Your Plants
I inherited my love of music from my father, I think. And, I inherited my love of plants either from his mother who I called my "granny" but barely knew before she died or my mama's mother, my grandma Margie. My sister likes music and plants. I can't say if anyone ever played music for their plants, though. or if they did that they spoke about it.
Do you play music for your plants? Do you know anyone who does? What have you found?
Hey, plant people! If you are an enthusiasts you can dig deeper into studies about music and plant growth to look at:
- https://bloomscape.com/green-living/does-music-affect-plant-growth/
- https://scholar.cu.edu.eg/sites/default/files/redagreen/files/advances_in_effects_of_sound_waves_on_plants.pdf
- https://www.smilinggardener.com/plants/music-and-plants/
- https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f3ef/50e5de86c302c09e2d1b11f0d3295143182b.pdf
- http://aribas.edu.in/quest/2014/issue3/3.pdf
- https://pistilsnursery.com/blogs/journal/music-and-plant-growth-heres-what-the-science-says
- https://sciencing.com/does-music-affect-plant-growth-4596442.html
1 comment
.. thanks