Anyone who has houseplants will know how much they can improve your living space. But most people don’t realize their plants are up to something. They have their own personalities! So, here are some interesting facts about your indoor greenery. Let’s learn about the secret lives of our shrubbery!
Featured Image Credit: EdZbarzhyvetsky /Depositphotos.com.
Eavesdropping on Your Gossip
First up—your plants are listening to your gossip. Science has found that plants can pick up on sound vibrations and it can even affect their growth! That means you could be talking about your day next to your spider plant and it’s there soaking up every word. Of course, they can’t tell anyone so at least they’re good at keeping secrets!
Secret Chemical Warfare
When bugs try to eat your plants, they don’t just take it lying down. No, some of them can send out chemical SOS signals that either scare the bugs off or call in predators that eat those pests. Essentially, it’s your plant’s way of telling creatures to back off—and they don’t even have to move an inch.
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Spreading the Plant Flu
Everybody knows that you can catch a cold from someone who’s sick. Plants can do the same thing! They can pass pests & diseases to each other so if one plant gets sick, it can quickly become an epidemic in your home. You have to be careful to isolate any sick plants to stop the rest of them from becoming infected.
Hogging All the Light
Plants are constantly competing with each other for your attention—or, more accurately, for light & resources. Some will stretch themselves taller or spread their leaves out wide to block their neighbors from getting any sunlight. Just think of it as a silent battle for supremacy right there in your living room.
Messing With Your Sleep
Like people, some plants are night owls and will release oxygen & soak up carbon dioxide while you’re trying to sleep. In theory, this sounds great—but too many plants or the wrong types can mess with the room’s atmosphere. This could affect your sleep quality so you should make sure you have the right plants.
Not Fond of Cuddles
Even though it may be tempting to stroke your plants, they’re not all fans of it. Touching them too much can actually stress them out & stunt their growth, just like how too much attention can be overwhelming for some people. Plants need personal space, too—so make sure that you give it to them.
The Itch Factor
Some plants (like the diffenbachia) have sap that can irritate your skin. Of course, they’re not doing it to be mean—instead, they’re just trying to tell predators not to eat them. You should check to see if your plants produce any irritants that can bother humans or your pets.
The Humidity Makers
Plants add moisture to the air and this is great for making your home feel more comfortable. However, if you turn your place into a jungle, you might end up with too much humidity. This can cause severe mold problems. As such, you need to find that sweet spot between having enough plants & too many of them.
Musical Preferences
It turns out that plants might have a taste in music, with some studies suggesting that they lean towards classical tunes for their growth spurts. Harsher genres, like metal, cause them to become stressed. That means that whenever you’re playing some Beethoven, your plants might be enjoying it just as much as you are.
Air Purifying? It’s Complicated
We’ve all heard that plants can clean the air but you’d need a whole lot of them in a small space to see a big difference. A few pots aren’t going to work miracles. Every little bit helps, though! If your home is really suffering from some air quality issues, you’re better off buying an air purifier instead.
Plant Communication
Plants have a way of “talking” to each other through their roots & the air, which can influence their growth and health. As such, where you place them can really make a difference. You should probably put them close to each other so that they all grow up strong together, just like we do.
They’re Choosy About Their Pots
Some plants can be rather picky about their pots. Where they put down roots matters—too cramped and they feel suffocated. Too spacious and they might focus all their energy on root growth instead of showing off with leaves and flowers. They’re just as selective about their homes as we are.
They Have a Sense of Time
Your plants have an internal clock that helps them know when to open up to catch the light & when to close up for the night. It allows them to stay in tune with the day-night cycle, even indoors. So, if you’ve ever noticed your plant looking a bit droopy at night, remember that it’s just bedtime. They’re on a schedule just like us!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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