Does Electricity Affect the Growth of Flowers?

Stimulate Growth

• Electric current can sometimes stimulate growth of plant cells, including cells of flowers. In 1985, researchers at Imperial College in London discovered that when they applied negative electric current to tobacco plants, the plants' growth was stimulated by about 70 percent. Applying positive electricity can inhibit growth, though inhibition is not as severe. A 1985 New York Times article states that inhibition of plant cells is "slight," as opposed to the 70 percent stimulation rate.

Effect on Soil

• Direct current can also change the makeup of the soil the flowers are planted in, according to Robert A. Nelson of Rex Research. After exposure to direct current, the soil becomes more permeable to moisture and the percentage of absorbable nitrogen and phosphorous increases. The new soil composition can affect how much water the flowers need and how they grow in that particular soil.

Electrification of Seeds

• Nelson reports that exposing seeds to electricity can accelerate the plant's development and increase the number of flowers the plant reproduces. However, these effects may be temporary; thus, you should plant the flowers soon after the seeds are exposed to electricity to maximize effects. Some flowers may transmit accelerated development and greater fertility to their offspring even if the newer seeds are not exposed directly to electricity.

Alternating Current

• Flowers should be treated with direct current rather than alternating current for greater growth. Alternating current retards plant growth and puts the plant at risk of electrocution, according to Nelson. However, exposures to very weak alternating current may help flowers accelerate their development. Plants exposed to 50 watts of alternating current for six hours a day had a 20 percent spurt in growth, while plants exposed to stronger alternating current reduced their growth or died.