Are Your Favorite Christmas Songs Stressing Your Houseplants? 10 Holiday Hits That Can Stunt Growth – Plus the Music That Helps

If December in your house means blasting out Mariah on repeat, then spare a thought for your houseplants. While we humans may thrive on a good dose of festive cheer, research suggests that not all music is good for plants. Indeed, some of the most popular holiday songs can give your Christmas cactus the botanical equivalent of a headache.

Scientists have long researched the effect music has on plants. Charles Spence, a co-author and professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, England, said: “Playing music to plants is not as crazy as it may sound at first. Classical music may have an effect on plant growth because plants are attuned to vibrations, such as the vibrations of running water in soil, and they react to them biologically.”

However, while multiple studies have shown that houseplants exposed to classical-style music grew taller, they have also shown that rock music can stunt their growth. And, it’s not just rock music: generally loud, high-energy, or heavily electronic tracks have a similar effect. Of course, this is something to consider throughout the year, but if you’re more likely to hit play during the holidays, then it might be time to rethink your playlist.

Christmas Songs That Stress Houseplants

Music experts at Fanatix recently analyzed 90 iconic Christmas songs to see which ones are most likely to help plants thrive – and which might be holding them back. Higher decibel levels, sharper frequencies, and heavier electronic production are prevalent in many modern pop and rock-leaning holiday tracks. Here are the most common culprits:

1. Underneath the Tree - Kelly Clarkson
2. Holiday Road (Spotify Singles Holiday) - Kesha
3. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
4. Christmas In Hollis - RUN - D.M.C.
5. Santa, Can’t You Hear Me - Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande
6. Where Are You Christmas? - The Pretty Reckless
7. A Nonsense Christmas - Sabrina Carpenter
8. It Feels Like Christmas (Spotify Singles Holiday) - Fall Out Boy
9. You Make It Feel Like Christmas (feat. Blake Shelton) - Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton
10. Like It's Christmas - Jonas Brothers

Christmas Songs Houseplants Love

Songs with orchestral arrangements that resemble classical music or score highly for acoustic qualities (associated with low-stress vibrations) win the day here. Particularly if you’re growing seedlings, they can grow faster and even develop brighter leaves. Below are the 10 festive classics to play on repeat guilt-free this Christmas:

1. Carol of the Bells (From Home Alone Soundtrack) - John Williams
2. Christmas Time Is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio
3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Elvis Presley
4. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat King Cole
5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Remastered 1999) - Frank Sinatra
6. It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Michael Bublé
7. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
8. Santa Baby (with Henri René & His Orchestra) - Eartha Kitt, Henri René and His Orchestra
9. Joy To The World - Nat King Cole
10. Ave Maria - Celine Dion

Should You Curate a Plant Playlist?

You don’t need to ban upbeat Christmas music entirely – just be mindful of volume and balance. Mixing in softer classical or acoustic tracks rather than stress-inducing rock or electronic pop could make all the difference to plants already struggling with lower light and drying home heating systems. This season, little Nat King Cole could be just the medicine your plants need to thrive.

Best Christmas Albums for Houseplants