More than a third think talking to plants helps them grow – and one in five people will even play music for their plants, with classical and electronic being the most popular genres.

Millions of Britons admit to talking to things that cannot respond, including their pets, plants and cars.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that more than half are known to discuss inanimate objects in their home, while six in ten consider conversations with their pets to be entirely two-way.

And of the 44% who talk to their plants, almost four in ten ask if they need a drink.

More than a quarter cursed an object for not doing its job, such as a non-functioning can opener, while 24% shouted when they woke up to shut up.

Almost a fifth begged their car to keep driving when it runs out of fuel, and more than one in ten thanked an ATM for giving them their money.

It also emerged that six in ten people were caught talking to an inanimate object, resulting in 60% teasing.

A spokesperson for TheJoyOfPlants.co.uk, who commissioned the survey, said: “Communication with humans and even with other animals is human nature, but it’s funny to see so many people talking about things that they can’t hear us. .

“Saying ‘thank you’ to an ATM really shows how polite Brits can be.

“I can see how chatting with pets can be considered a two-way conversation, but it’s endearing how many people are chatting with their plants as if they are family too. “

Research also found that one in five adults talk to their plants at least once a week, and eight percent talk to them daily.

Almost four in ten people think talking to plants helps them grow taller, while another 37% feel happier after talking to a shrub.

More than four in ten of those who chat with plants even consider it a two-way conversation, with its movements and growth seen as a response.

“You need a drink,” “you’re getting fat,” and “you’re not at your best” have turned out to be the top comments people make about their plants.

And 57% admit they speak in a “loving” tone.

Almost one in five adults surveyed, via OnePoll, have also played their plants music because they believe it helps them develop further – with the most popular classical, electronic and R&B genres.

Michael Perry, an indoor plant expert who works with TheJoyOfPlants.co.uk, said: “The data on this goes back to Charles Darwin in the 1700s, who recognized that vibrations encourage plants to grow.

“You don’t even have to speak directly to the plants – as long as you have conversations near them, they will appreciate these vibrations and it will benefit them.

“When it comes to vocal tones, many feel low, bass-rich vocals are best – but in fact plants respond most strongly to vocals in the 115-250Hz range.

“For reference, men’s voices are around 85-155Hz, while female voices are normally 165-255Hz – much better for the Plant range.

“It can also apply to music. Classical music is often considered to be best for plants, which is reflected in the survey results – but in reality, due to classical music having so many different frequencies, it is not. not always the case.

“It’s funny that 59% of them were ‘caught’ talking to their plants and considered strange: is talking to a plant worse than talking to a dog or a cat with it? a stupid baby voice just because he can’t move? Not in my book.

“It’s also good to point out that this is a symbiotic relationship: these plants make us feel good, relieve stress, and allow us to focus and improve our mood in a meditative way. You could almost compare plants to pets themselves that way. “