Can Plants Actually Sense Incoming Rain? The Science May Surprise You

Plants may appear completely still, but beneath that quiet exterior they are constantly monitoring their surroundings. They detect changes in light, temperature, gravity, touch and the availability of water. But can plants actually sense incoming rain? The answer is surprisingly close to yes, although not in the way humans predict a storm. Plants cannot look at dark clouds and decide that rain is approaching, but their leaves can detect physical signals associated with rainfall. The impact of raindrops can trigger rapid changes inside plant cells, including chemical signals linked to defence. Recent research has revealed that a rainy day can therefore be much more biologically significant to a plant than it appears.