Rock Out and Grow: How Music is Changing the Natural World
If you’ve ever whispered sweet nothings to your houseplants or played classical music to calm your anxious dog, you’re not alone. And as it turns out, you might be onto something bigger than a quirky habit. A recent study out of Florida found that termites eat wood twice as fast when exposed to rock music. Let that sink in. These tiny demolition machines apparently prefer their meals with a little Joan Jett.
Naturally, this led me down a dopamine-fueled rabbit hole of research…and what I found was delightful. Turns out, music affects more than just humans. Plants, animals, fungi, and even bacteria have shown responses to rhythm, sound frequencies, and music genres in surprising ways.
Let’s crank up the volume on the weird science of music in the natural world, and why you might want to start making Spotify playlists for your tomatoes.
Rocking Out With Termites
The termite study that went viral found that when these insects were exposed to rock music (specifically, fast and heavy tracks), their wood consumption rate doubled. Researchers believe the vibrations from the bass and guitar might mimic natural cues termites follow to find food…or just make them snackier.
But termites aren’t the only ones vibing to music.
Classical Crops: Plants That Like to Jam
Grapes grown in Italian vineyards have been found to ripen faster and develop better sugar profiles when exposed to classical music. Why? Scientists think it’s due to how sound waves stimulate growth hormones like auxins and gibberellins.
Tomatoes, too, have been known to grow more robustly when serenaded. One study showed that tomato plants exposed to music had increased growth and fruit yield compared to their silent counterparts.
Even sunflowers have been observed adjusting their head movement slightly in rhythm to ambient sound. Nature, my friends, has rhythm.
Some growers swear by playlists for their produce. One farmer in Japan reported increased strawberry sweetness when exposed to Mozart daily. Could your Spotify subscription be the next great farming tool? Maybe.
Plants Responding to Sound
Here’s where things get especially fun. Research in the field of plant acoustics shows that plants can:
Detect frequency ranges (mostly low)
Differentiate between types of vibrations (wind vs. chewing insects)
Alter their gene expression in response to sound
In other words, your lavender plant might not just be growing—it might be listening.
And while it’s not exactly an audiophile, evidence suggests plants exposed to music:
Grow faster
Have stronger root systems
Show increased resistance to pathogens
Become less susceptible to drought stress
Some researchers even think plants can form "memory" patterns in response to repeated sounds. If your aloe responds better to Adele, don't question it. It’s allowed to like one singer over another, just like you!
Cows, Chickens, and Classical
It’s not just the flora getting musical. Let’s talk fauna:
Cows produce more milk when listening to slow, soothing classical music. Songs like Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony have proven particularly effective. The calm rhythm lowers cortisol levels and boosts oxytocin, the hormone responsible for milk letdown.
Chickens lay more eggs when exposed to soft instrumental music. Farmers have been using this trick for decades. One farm reported a 20% increase in egg production after regular classical playlists.
Dogs in shelters show reduced signs of anxiety (less barking, more resting) when listening to classical music. Some shelters even play music at bedtime.
Fish swim differently depending on music genre. One study found goldfish preferred Bach over Metallica (no shade).
Even bees have been seen buzzing more efficiently when classical music plays near their hives.
Vibrations: The Unsung Hero
While we often focus on melody and lyrics, it’s the vibrations of music that affect living organisms most. Vibrational energy affects cells, water structures, and even enzyme reactions. That’s why bass-heavy songs can stimulate termites, or why your cat chooses to nap directly on your subwoofer.
Fun fact: Mycelium, the underground fungal network often referred to as the internet of the forest, has been shown to transmit electrical impulses in a rhythmic pattern. Some scientists speculate it’s listening (or at least reacting) to changes in sound.
Another fun twist? Some fungi species grow faster when exposed to music, especially drum-heavy genres like tribal or ambient electronica. Yes, fungi might just be the original ravers.
Is This the Future of Sustainable Farming?
If playing Vivaldi boosts your basil yield, should every greenhouse come with a Bluetooth speaker? Some researchers say yes.
Music is non-invasive, cost-effective (and if you’re playing it anyway), might as well serve double duty. Companies are even experimenting with music as a form of “biological stimulation” in controlled agricultural settings.
Greenhouse studies show positive results using jazz, ambient, and even pop music to increase growth rates. It’s not just about classical anymore.
For home gardeners, the takeaway is clear: it can’t hurt. Your marigolds might not clap along to Stevie Wonder, but they’ll likely grow a little happier.
My Favorite Musical Gardening Tools:
Outdoor Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – Hang it by your tomatoes, load up a classical playlist, and let the magic happen.
Plant Growth Tracker Journal – Keep notes on what you played and how your plants responded. Bonus dopamine if you use stickers.
Plants and People: Shared Frequencies
Humans aren’t the only ones moved by a good beat, but we might be the only ones who know how to share it. When you create a soundscape in your home or garden, you’re not just changing your vibe, you’re subtly influencing the living things around you.
Maybe that’s why plant parents talk to their succulents and play jazz for their monstera. There’s an unspoken relationship between energy, frequency, and growth.
So if music affects everything from fruit flavor to flower bloom rate, maybe we should be asking: what else are we missing?
Should You Start a Termite Band?
Maybe not. But if termites are doubling their munch time to heavy metal, it’s clear: sound matters. From faster-growing grapes to happier hens, music’s influence on biology is profound…and often hilarious.
Whether you’re a science nerd, a plant parent, or just someone who’s played Lo-fi Girl on loop to calm your brain, there’s something undeniably beautiful about this intersection of rhythm and life.
So go ahead:
Serenade your succulents
Play cello sonatas for your sourdough starter
Blast Beyoncé for your begonias
Because who knows? Maybe the universe really is listening.
