Plants might not wag their leaves or blink in excitement, but recent studies suggest they may be far more perceptive than we thought. From sensing your presence to reacting to music, houseplants are quietly responding to the world around them and yes, maybe even to you.

Can Plants Really Sense Us?

It’s not quite telepathy, but plants do pick up on cues in their environment. Research in plant neurobiology shows that plants can respond to touch, temperature, light, and even the vibrations caused by sound. For example, a 2014 study from the University of Missouri found that plants exposed to the sound of a caterpillar chewing would start producing defensive chemicals before they were ever physically touched.

And it’s not just defense. Some researchers argue that plants can "remember" stimuli and alter their behavior over time. While they don’t have a brain or nervous system, plants do use electrical signaling and hormone pathways to react to what’s happening around them.

The Sound of Growth: Music & Vibration

You may have heard of people playing music for their plants and while it might sound a little whimsical, there’s actually science behind it. Certain frequencies and vibrations can affect how plants grow. Studies have shown improved germination and even increased leaf size in plants exposed to classical or ambient music versus silence.

A 2007 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that music with frequencies between 100 and 500 Hz had a statistically significant effect on plant cell elongation. Meanwhile, other research from South Korea’s National Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology showed gene expression changes in rice plants exposed to classical music.

Enter: Plantasia

Album by Mort Garson (Sacred Bones Records 1976)- Illustration by Marvin Rubin

In 1976, composer Mort Garson released "Mother Earth’s Plantasia," an experimental electronic album designed specifically for plants and the people who love them. It became a cult classic, and a quiet anthem for plant lovers everywhere. The idea? That plants thrive in a loving, intentional environment. Whether or not Plantasia actually helps your monstera grow is still up for debate but we won’t lie, it definitely sets the vibe.

Garson’s album was originally sold at plant nurseries and department stores alongside potted greenery was an early nod to the emotional connection between plants, sound, and human care. Its warm, analog synths continue to soundtrack homes full of pothos and philodendrons nearly 50 years later.

Plants and Touch: A Sense of Awareness

Another way plants may "feel" you is through physical touch. The Mimosa pudica, or sensitive plant, visibly folds its leaves when touched indicating a clear reaction to stimulus. But even more subtle interactions may be occurring. A 2016 study published in Oecologia found that repeated gentle touch caused changes in growth patterns for Arabidopsis plants, reducing their growth over time. This shows that even minimal contact like brushing past your plant on the way to the kitchen can register in ways we don’t yet fully understand.

So, Should You Talk to Your Plants?

Honestly? Yes. Talking encourages you to pay attention to them, check their soil, rotate them for light, and dust their leaves. And if they’re responding to your voice vibrations too? Even better. Whether it's science, energy, or just good vibes, plants seem to do best when they’re in an environment of attention and care.

Some studies suggest plants may respond better to female voices or music played in a higher pitch range, possibly due to gentler vibration frequencies. While there’s still more research to be done, what’s clear is this: the way we treat our plants through sound, touch, and presence does matter.

Intentional Care is Real Care

Whether you’re singing to your succulents, playing them synth music, or simply sitting in a room full of green friends while sipping your coffee, remember that your plants could be noticing. Not in the same way a dog might wag its tail, but in slow, silent, complex ways we’re just beginning to understand.

As science continues to explore the sensory lives of plants, one thing becomes obvious: the connection we feel with them isn’t all in our heads. It might be in their roots, too.

Happy Planting!

- Zoé & The Greenhaus Team

Do Plants Feel You? The Science of Plant Senses, Sound & "Plantasia"