Plants don’t have brains, yet they’re remarkably responsive to the world around them. Some people wonder whether plants might have a kind of awareness. Here’s a look at what plants can sense, and what remains a mystery.
What plants can sense
Plants are far more sensitive than they might appear. They can:
- detect light and grow toward it;
- sense gravity, sending roots down and shoots up;
- respond to touch, like the mimosa plant folding its leaves;
- release chemical signals when they’re damaged, which nearby plants can detect;
- in the case of the Venus flytrap, “count” touches before snapping shut.
These abilities show that plants are constantly gathering and responding to information.
Is that consciousness?
Scientists debate whether these responses amount to any kind of awareness. Many argue that responding to the environment isn’t the same as having experiences or feelings. Others think we may need broader ideas of what awareness can be.
Some popular claims, such as 1960s experiments suggesting plants respond to human thoughts, haven’t held up when others tried to repeat them. So while plants are fascinating, there’s no good evidence that they read our minds.
A sense of wonder
Whatever the answer, learning about plants can deepen our appreciation for the living world. Treating plants, and all of nature, with care is a lovely practice in itself.
Connecting with plants
- Spend a few minutes noticing a plant closely: its shape, colour and texture.
- Care for a houseplant or a small garden.
- Walk among trees and notice how you feel.
How little is enough
Today, spend two minutes simply looking at a plant. Notice something about it you hadn’t seen before.
For more, read how time in nature can revitalize your body and restore your soul.
When you’re ready to go a little deeper, the Guides page has a guided journal for walking through change at your own pace.