While house-sitting for a neighbor, I found out they played classical music for their plants. Do many people actually do this? Why?

While house-sitting, one may stumble upon various personal habits and lifestyle choices of the homeowner. An intriguing scenario presented itself to me when I found out that the neighbor whose house I was watching played classical music for their plants. This occurrence prompted me to delve into the fascinating practice of playing music for plants and why it might be more common than one might think.

Believe it or not, the concept of playing music for plant growth is not as rare as it sounds. There are many who subscribe to the belief that music can affect plant growth positively, and classical music is often the genre of choice. While this may sound like the whim of an eccentric gardener, there is both historical precedent and contemporary practice that give weight to this idea.

1. Historical perspective: The idea dates back to the Indian scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose who, in the early 20th century, conducted experiments that suggested plants have life-like responses to various stimuli. Later on, in the 1970s, 'The Secret Life of Plants', a book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, popularized the notion that plants could respond to affection, including the sounds of music.

2. Contemporary anecdotal evidence: Many modern plant enthusiasts and gardeners attest to observing healthier and faster-growing plants when they play music for them, with classical music being a favored genre because of its complex arrangements and soothing harmonies.

3. Commercial use: There are even greenhouses and agricultural establishments that have adopted the practice, often playing music continuously to large fields or indoor plants, suggesting a belief in its effectiveness extending beyond individual hobbyists.

The hypothesis that music affects plant growth has been embraced and tested by several scientific studies. Although the subject remains somewhat controversial and not universally accepted in the scientific community, certain theories and small-scale studies suggest there might be merit in this practice.

1. Vibrational effects: It has been suggested that the vibrational frequencies of music may stimulate growth in plants by encouraging movement in plant cells, which could be beneficial for nutrient uptake and growth rates.

2. Sound waves and stomata: Some studies hint that sound waves could help open the stomata – tiny openings on the leaves – which might enhance the plant's ability to photosynthesize and thus grow more effectively.

3. Stress response: There is also a theory that certain sounds, including music, could induce a beneficial stress response in plants that could result in stronger growth, akin to how mild stress can make animals, including humans, more resilient.

Classical music is particularly popular for its supposed beneficial effects on plants because of its characteristics:

1. Complex arrangements: The intricate and often nuanced arrangements in classical compositions may provide a rich array of sound frequencies that some studies suggest could be more stimulating for plant growth compared to simpler music.

2. Soothing melodies: The gentle and smooth flow of most classical music might be less disruptive or more harmonic to plants, potentially engaging their growth mechanisms in a less stressful way than more abrasive genres.

3. Historical association: Since classical music has been around for centuries and carries with it a certain prestige and history, it might be chosen by gardeners in part because of a traditional or cultural bias towards it in the context of nurturing growth and life.

In conclusion, while the practice of playing classical music for plants may seem frivolous to some, it is part of a larger conversation about the ways in which plants interact with their environment. Whether through slight vibrational stimulation or more complex biological reactions, there is enough anecdotal and experimental evidence to suggest that music, particularly classical music, might indeed have a positive impact on plant growth. As with any unorthodox practice, more research is needed to establish a definitive link. However, for those with a green thumb, it might be a fun and potentially fruitful experiment to conduct with their leafy companions.