Does Music Affect Plant Growth?

Ben, a 19-year old teenager was very fond of playing violin and was pretty good at it as well. Interestingly, he had a few houseplants in his room balcony (where he used to play his violin) and he used to water them regularly. After a while he observed that those plants had grown better than the other plants in the house, even though the regular watering was same for all. He wondered about it and came up with a hypothesis, that it might actually be the violin music.

Well, his inference may not be incorrect, as there have been experiments which compel us to believe that music does affect plant growth. It is because plants are living organisms. They do have feelings and can sense. Just like the 'touch me not' which recoils and folds within itself at a slight touch.

Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, an Indian scientist probably had an inkling that the sound of music does wonders for plant growth. He performed some experiments which show how music affects plant growth. Scientists from all over the world have researched on the question 'how does music affect plants?'.

So, does music affect plant growth? Well, yes, it could be said that music does affect plant growth. It is just like what music therapy is for human beings. Check out why most of us believe so.

Impact of Music on Plants
Various experiments are a major evidence of the fact that music, does in fact affect plant growth. Dorothy Retallack published a small book on this, in 1973, which was based on her experiments of the music effects on plants, in a Colorado College, in Denver. She found out that, out of the plants in three different chambers, with different conditions, those exposed to soothing music grew better than the others. In one case, the plants had bent towards the music playing device! These plants were lush green with healthy stems.

However, if there is a constant monotone that is being played, then it does not significantly affect plant growth. But if it is mild, classical music, definite change of rate can be observed, in the growth of plants. It is a lengthy process, though. How music affects plant growth, cannot be observed within days of the plant being exposed to music. It takes weeks to identify the effects of music on plants.

Classical Music and Plant Growth
Classical music, for that matter has had a prominent effect on plant growth. The Ragas (a formation with a group of notations) in Indian classical music, are believed to have worked wonders for plant growth. In addition to that, the occident has also been a witness to experiments on how does music affect plants. The vibrations of the music created are responsible for plant growth.

But everything said and done, even if music is believed to affect plant growth, it is somewhat controversial. The naysayers hold that there are no sensory devices in plants, like the ears or the brain. Music is all about vibrations, but then, they may not be so powerful that they can initiate an improved growth in plants.

So, does music affect plant growth? This is still a question mark in the fraternity of scientists. But hey, what is the problem in believing that yes, music does affect plants? Who knows our belief will give such an incredible power to the music we play, that it will compel the plants to flourish. How beautiful it would be! Even when the sun leaves them, melodies will always be there to cheer our green friends up!