Discovering the Magic of Plant Music with Plantwave
I first read about plant music over a decade ago, in an article about the Damanhur community in Italy. I forgot the name back then, which I regretted — the idea of plants making music stayed with me for years. It felt like a story that wanted to be remembered. So I was genuinely excited when Damanhur showed up again in the media, and a musical friend happened to buy their device, known for the Music of the Plants project.
That moment reopened the door to a fascinating world. I soon discovered there are now several devices on the market that translate plant activity into sound. That’s how I stumbled upon the device I currently use, featured in the video below: Plantwave.
How does it work?
You receive a small device, a ‘broadcaster,’ which connects to your mobile phone via a special app. In the app, you can choose from a variety of sound settings or musical instruments. The set includes clips to attach to the plant: metal clips for firmer parts of the plant, and soft adhesive pads for more delicate areas. Personally, I prefer using the soft pads to avoid damaging the plant. Still, some leaves may be too fragile for either option.
It’s easy to take the set with you on a walk — which makes it extra fun to find a beautiful place, connect the device to a plant or tree, and simply listen to nature. The device measures the plant's bioelectrical activity, and factors like the season or time of day can influence what you hear. For example, early spring is a wonderful moment to ‘broadcast’ the fresh energy of awakening plants.
One of my favorite features of the Plantwave app is the option to create videos while recording the sound. This allows you to capture the experience visually and aurally. I’ve recorded a few of these moments in special places and shared some of them below. More recordings can be found in my Plant Music playlist on YouTube.
It’s not easy to talk about this topic without mentioning the devices themselves — and just to be transparent, I’ve become an affiliate partner of Plantwave. But that’s not why I’m sharing this. What truly moves me is the joy of connecting with nature in a new way. It’s playful and heartwarming to "listen" to the plants and trees you meet outdoors. It’s just as magical to connect to your houseplants, your garden, the flowers in a bouquet — even your Christmas tree.
The most fascinating part? You can actually hear how a plant responds to your presence, touch, or voice. Since using Plantwave, my plants have started to feel more like companions — almost like pets. It’s definitely encouraged me to take better care of them.
If you're as curious or enthusiastic as I am, I do recommend exploring this field. If you're considering getting a device, take some time to compare the options — they work in different ways. And if you do decide to purchase a Plantwave, I’d be grateful if you use my affiliate link.
