Why talk to plants

By nature, plants are designed to be highly adaptable to their environments. This means that, yes, they do indeed hear what is happening around them. The way that plants listen and respond is slightly different than how humans interact; plants understand sounds that allude to the environment in which they reside.

This is an evolutionary process that has developed in plants in order to help them nourish and protect themselves. In a study conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society, research demonstrated that plants did respond to human voices. In this study, there were 10 tomato plants, 8 of which had headphones placed around their pots.

Over the course of one month, the plants would be read scientific and literary texts by both male and female voices each day. Okell agrees.

She is reaping the benefits of her practice of caring for plants. There is also a sense of achievement when your plants flourish under your care.

As we edge into , my orchid is still thriving. And because my fingers are not yet green, I can only attribute this to our daily interactions: the adoring looks, the greetings and check-ins, and the attention both intentional and incidental. She listens in on my telephone conversations and is often my only audience for pre-dinner renditions of I Will Survive.

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