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What’s the secret to a thriving garden? Sunlight and water, of course. And, it turns out that another surprising ingredient can help grow happy, healthy plants; music!
According to a study published in Frontiers in Plant Science, music has the potential to stimulate plant growth, and even the type of music can have a different impact on plants. The sound vibrations may stimulate cellular processes like nutrient transport that encourage healthier plants.
Do Plants Actually Listen to Music?
Plants don't hear sound like humans do, but they can feel vibrations from sound and respond positively to certain types of music, according to a study published in Nature. The sound vibrations from music mimic natural stimuli like wind or water. The study showed that plants exposed to music grow faster, with taller stems, larger blooms, and healthier leaves.
Singing can also encourage healthy plants by adding carbon dioxide. Just as the King of England! King Charles talks to his plants to encourage their growth, reported the Independent. He even jokingly asked Katy Perry to sing to his plants, and she agreed.
Which Type of Music Do Plants Prefer?
So, which type of music do plants prefer? That all depends on who you ask! “Gardening guru” Chris Beardshaw told The Scotsman that he believes playing heavy metal music, like Black Sabbath, boosts plant growth, producing shorter plants with larger, more disease-resistant flowers.
Beardshaw conducted a greenhouse experiment comparing music genres. He discovered that classical music slightly improved growth, while rock and roll singer, Cliff Richard’s, music led to plants dying. The loud, rhythmic energy of heavy metal proved most effective for blooms, suggesting an unexpected link between head banging music and plant health.
Overall, findings seem to demonstrate that plants prefer more rhythmic genres, especially classical and heavy metal. According to the garden company Moana Nursery, classical music seems to work wonders to keep stomata — the pores on the outer skin of plants — open longer, enhancing air intake. Heavy metal appears to stimulate even greater growth. You can even find playlists on Spotify made just for your plants!
However, understanding plants’ music preference can be tricky. It can depend on all sorts of variables like plant type, music style, and environmental factors. Some critics add that more research with stricter controls needs to be done in order to establish a connection between music and plant growth. The improvements in plant health observed during these studies could also be caused by better plant care and attentive behavior from caretakers.
Whether or not plants truly prefer music, adding tunes to your gardening routine can’t hurt. Crank up the Mozart — or the Metallica — and see if your plants start thriving. At the very least, you’ll enjoy the soundtrack!
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