Can plants feel affection? Here's why many believe they do

Contrary to common perception, plants too have a way of showing affection, and even joy. Every new leaf, every bud that appears and then bursts into glorious or delicate bloom on your balcony, shelf or office desk is evidence of them interacting with their carer, and indeed, everyone who sees them. No wonder many of those who love plants swear by the beneficial returns of even talking to them. Unfortunately, many such 'plant whisperers' are derided as kooks.

Many years ago, my own disbelief was dispelled by a friend, a young Army officer whose peripatetic life ruled out having a dog or a cat. Instead, he grew plants. Wherever he was, he managed to create a little verdant jungle on even the most modest balcony or sill. And, amazingly, every year on his birthday, many of them would present him with an abundance of flowers. I could never figure out how they knew when his birthday was; did they listen to conversations?

When my husband, son and I moved into a furnished London apartment, again decades ago, we also provided a rather forlorn and stunted cactus plant sitting on one end of the mantel piece in the drawing room. For months it languished without putting out a single new branch, as if it was assessing us. Keeping in mind that the Prince of Wales (now King) talked to his greenery at Highgrove, I began doing the same in Hampstead. And then, it suddenly decided to sprout.


By the time we left, it had tripled in size, putting out not only new branches but also flowering. Maybe it liked us around it, maybe it liked my conversations during those long winter afternoons with the fire crackling below, or maybe just liked the smell of Indian food - yes, plants can sense smell! Whatever the reason, for a dog-loving family that could not adopt one there, that cactus became the nearest thing to a pet that our peripatetic circumstances would allow.

Nearly every day there are stories of dogs, cats and other pets being abandoned in shelters all over the world because their families suddenly decided they cannot afford the vet bills or did not have the time or space for them anymore. Why take on another perambulatory living being without the same lifelong commitment given to a human child? Such people basically want loving companionship without the everyday hassle of walks, food, litter boxes and vet visits.

They should consider keeping plants instead. They may not nestle in your lap or give you a slobbery welcome when you come home, but they do understand and appreciate your presence. Japan and China have predictably come up with many virtual pets in the past 30 years, but those are not living creatures and their responses are programmed, not spontaneous. Plants, on the other hand do respond to care and love, not with licks and barks but leaves, flowers and fruits.

Plants demand very little: just well-drained potting soil, sunlight, oxygen, water and fertiliser that can even come from composting vegetable peels from the kitchen. And they show appreciation very eloquently. A philodendron on the terrace of our Kolkata home refused to put out a single new leaf for months, till it was brought down to the balcony outside the study three weeks ago. It has now sprouted three new leaves. And the peace lily plants have done the same.

Social media has countless posts about plants in terrace gardens and balconies rewarding their families' love with bonanzas of vegetables, fruits and flowers. Their joy is akin to all those pet parents posting cute videos of doggies and moggies. More people should try it. Best of all, if 'plant parents' move, become ill or simply downsize, family and friends can easily adopt them. 'Plant pets', after all, are more emotionally resilient than abandoned dogs and cats.