While it’s a popular belief that plants can benefit from music, some studies suggest that certain plants may respond positively to sound vibrations, including music. While they may not exactly “love” music, it’s possible that sound vibrations could have a stimulating effect on their growth.
Plants respond to sound waves and vibrations by causing plant cells to move, which leads to more nutrients.
For example, roses in particular seem to love violin music. For most plants playing classical or jazz music caused growth to increase, while harsher metal music induced stress.
This may be because the vibrations of metal music are too intense for plants and stimulate cells a little too much.
- Plants thrive when they listen to music that sits between 115Hz and 250Hz, as the vibrations emitted by such music emulate similar sounds in nature.
- Plants don’t like being exposed to music more than one to three hours per day.
- Jazz and classical music seems to be the music of choice for ultimate plant stimulation.
Additionally, plants with dense foliage can help reduce noise pollution by absorbing and diffusing sound waves.
Here are a few plants that are known for their dense foliage and potential benefits in reducing noise pollution:
- Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant): This plant has large, thick leaves that can effectively absorb sound. It can be an excellent choice for reducing noise in indoor environments.
- Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig): Another member of the ficus family, the weeping fig has dense foliage and can help dampen sound waves. It’s a popular choice for indoor spaces.
- Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree): With its slender, upright stems and long, arching leaves, the dragon tree is a visually appealing plant that can also help reduce noise pollution.
- Hedera helix (English Ivy): English ivy is a climbing vine that can cover walls or trellises. Its thick foliage can provide noise reduction benefits, especially when grown on exterior surfaces.
- Bamboo: Certain species of bamboo, such as Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo) or Bambusa spp., have dense foliage and tall culms that can help absorb sound. They can be useful for reducing noise in outdoor spaces.
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is a popular indoor plant known for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves. While not as dense as some other plants on this list, it can still contribute to a more peaceful environment.
Remember that the effectiveness of plants in reducing noise pollution can vary depending on factors such as plant density, placement, and the specific acoustic properties of the environment. To maximize their potential benefits, it’s recommended to use a combination of these plants and create a green barrier between the noise source and the desired area.