In the modern oasis that is your home garden, have you found yourself leaning in to whisper sweet nothings to your green companions, who wordlessly endure each change in light and digit of your home’s thermostat? If you’re part of the growing community of plant enthusiasts that believes a little chit-chat with your ficus could result in a greener, leafier future, you’re not alone. But is there any truth to the age-old practice? It may sound like a plotline from a children’s fantasy book, but the idea of communicated growth predates the civilizations that first cultivated our modern crops.
The Historical Roots of Plant Communication
Perhaps surprisingly, agricultural societies have long engaged in conversational cultivation. In the Bible, the prophet Hosea talks of the Israelites’ worship practices, including speaking to plants. The ancient Greeks also referenced plant talking, and even Shakespeare wrote of this practice in his classic play Richard II:
“For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings;
How some have been deposed; some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed;
Some poison’d by their wives; some sleeping kill’d;
All murder’d: for within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court.”
This passage is often interpreted as Shakespeare referencing the ‘grumbling’ of plants, which is also a nod to both their ability to sense disturbances and to the human tradition of sharing wisdom and conversation, even with the quietest of listeners.
The Case for Kind Conversation
In the present day, the act of talking to plants has been elevated from folk wisdom to a trendy topic in the plant community. Gardeners often report that speaking to their plants has led to better growth, more lush foliage, and in some cases, more abundant flowers. The idea holds that sound vibrations can encourage greater cellular growth and flowering by simulating the effects of near-constant breeze under natural conditions.
Plant-authored research also hints at the possibility. Studies have suggested that sounds (from ambient music or human voices) can promote various growth responses in plants. One study out of South Korea exposed plants to the sounds of insects eating, and the plants emitted protective chemicals in response, similar to those they would produce if under actual attack. The hypothesis here is that plants can distinguish between different sound patterns and adjust their growth strategies accordingly.
The Scientific Stance on Plant Communication
Despite endearing anecdotes from gardeners, the scientific community remains divided on the topic. The classic study on the topic, published in the journal Oecologia in 1986 by Dr. T.C. Singh, concluded that a combination of classical music and Raga Darbari encouraged the growth of balsam plants and mung beans. Critics of the study, however, say that the experimental setup was insufficiently controlled, and the results could not be replicated under more rigorous conditions.
Conversely, a study published in Trends in Plant Science in 2016 argued that the plant kingdom may indeed be much noisier than we think. Plants produce and receive vibrations that they use to communicate with their environment, and it is conceivable, under the right conditions, that sounds associated with human speech could impact physiology.
The Steps to Successful Plant Communication
If you’re keen to put communication with your plants to the test, there are a few thoughtful approaches you can follow:
Speak Regularly
Consistency is key. Set a schedule and try to speak to your plants at the same time every day.
Use Positive Language
Just as a negative environment can be detrimental to plant growth, a negative tone can potentially do the same. Phrases of encouragement or praise have been believed to be more effective, such as “you’re doing great,” or “look at you, so tall and strong!”
Mind the Volume
Conversing with plants doesn’t require shouting. In fact, a softer, regular tone might mimic rustling leaves in a gentle breeze, which is associated with encouraging growth responses in plants.
Observe and Document
Keep a journal of your plant’s health and any changes you have observed since you started communicating with them. This observational approach gives the experiment structure and potential for creating insights into your plants’ unique needs and communication pathways.
Cultivate Your Connection
When engaging in this process of plant whispering, remember that the connection you foster with your plants goes beyond vocalization; it’s about actively tending to a living thing. Speaking to your plants is a ritual that ensures you’re present with them, tending to their needs and observing their responses, no matter how subtle.
Even if further research is needed to conclusively prove the benefits of plant conversation, the act itself provides an opportunity to slow down, provide care, and foster the ancient partnership of humans and plants. In a world where our lives are increasingly digital and detached from the natural world, the simple act of communication may remind us that our green friends, too, crave connection and empathy.