ONE in five houseplant owners admit they regularly chat to their household flora as they go about their day – but which shrub should you befriend?
By answering six fun questions, you will be paired with the perfect houseplant to match your temperament.
It comes after a study of 2,000 adults also revealed 42 per cent of those who confide in their greenery even believe their plants ‘understand’ what’s being said.
Talking about how well they’re growing, how ‘thirsty’ they look – and generally complimenting them are among the most common talking points.
While 26 per cent like to chat about the weather or sunshine, and 22 per cent will run random thoughts or ideas past them.
More than one in five (21 per cent) reckon it’s a good stress-buster, and 17 per cent have made it part of a calming routine.
Monique Kemperman for Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland, which commissioned the study, said: “A listening ear doesn’t always have to come from a human.
“The popularity of talking to plants was really spearheaded by then-Prince Charles, as far back as the 1980s – he was very ahead of his time in that respect.
“And whether there is actually any tangible benefit to the plants themselves is still up for debate, but if it helps their owners, then it’s clearly a net positive.”
The study also found that as well as chatting, 19 per cent of those who interact with their green housemates will sing or play music for them.
Only 45 per cent, however, actually believe talking to them has had a noticeable benefit on their growth.
As 68 per cent tend to keep their one-way conversations to themselves and haven’t told others about them.
But of those who live with other people, 25 per cent reckon their friends or family members will also chat with them.
And while 43 per cent of all adults polled believe humans are, overall, a better ear to chat to, a quarter disagree – choosing household flora instead.
As 62 per cent of those who converse with their potted pals think these discussions offered them a sense of escape from the chaos of everyday life.
Overall, when facing stressful moments throughout the day, 43 per cent use deep breathing techniques to help them stay calm, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
While 39 per cent will talk to someone, and 30 per cent will attempt a mindfulness exercise.
Kemperman added: “Everyone faces stressful times in their lives, here and there.
“While some people experience this more often than others, it’s important that everyone finds ways to process stress that feel right for them.
“For many, this does seem to come in the form of talking to their houseplants and just unburdening themselves to a non-judgemental audience.
“A houseplant is never going to tell you that something you’ve shared is weird or wrong – and sometimes just saying things out loud can help you process them – so why not give it a try?”
