Does Talking to Plants Help Them Grow?
There is no strong scientific evidence that talking to plants helps them grow. Some studies suggest vibrations or CO2 from breathing might have minor effects, but results are inconsistent and effects are small. The real benefit may be that people who talk to their plants pay more attention to their care. Plants do not 'hear' or understand speech.
Key Takeaways
- Plants lack ears, brains, and any mechanism to process speech.
- Music studies are similarly inconclusive - any effects are likely from vibrations, not musical quality.
- The MythBusters show tested this and found inconclusive results.
Explanation
Plants lack ears, brains, and any mechanism to process speech. They cannot understand words or respond to conversations. Any effect from talking would have to come from physical aspects of speech - vibrations, CO2, or moisture in breath - not the communication itself.
Some studies have found that sound vibrations can influence plant growth, but results vary widely. The Royal Horticultural Society conducted an experiment finding plants grew slightly more when exposed to human voices, but the study had limitations. Other controlled experiments show no effect. The evidence is not strong or consistent.
The most likely explanation for 'plants growing better when talked to' is that attentive plant owners notice problems earlier, water more consistently, and provide better overall care. Talking to plants may simply be a marker of attentive caregiving rather than the cause of growth.
Things to Know
- Music studies are similarly inconclusive - any effects are likely from vibrations, not musical quality.
- The MythBusters show tested this and found inconclusive results.
- CO2 from breathing near plants is far less than needed to significantly boost growth.