Lidl starts selling vegetables grown with classical music in Sweden

In Sweden, Lidl has decided to install sound systems that play classical music for its crop, with the idea that music is beneficial to plant growth.

In the spring, Lidl commissioned the government research institute RISE to analyze the effect of music on plants, and the studies showed that music can have a positive effect on plants. For example, one study showed that 100% of alfalfa seeds exposed to music developed sprouts when either classical music, waltzes or natural sounds were played. The same study found that several types of music also had a positive effect on lettuce.

– Although plants don’t have ears, they can sense vibrations from sound waves, and a number of scientific studies have shown that music promotes plant growth, influencing both root length and crop size, for example. Our report shows that different genres of music benefit the growth of different plants”, says Tora Råberg, researcher at RISE, in a press release.

Another study showed that pea plants grew 38% taller when classical music was played, compared to plants that were not allowed to grow to music.

Five Lidl growers have now played classical music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, fresh herbs and apples.

These products will be sold in all Lidl stores across the country from week 35. To identify the products, which will be sold under the private label Matriket, they will be marked with a blue note.