August 1, 2025
In a study from the University of Western Australia, pea plants demonstrated an ability to learn through association—a behavior scientists previously believed was exclusive to animals.
Researchers used a fan to blow air before a light source. After repeated exposure, plants bent toward the fan alone, anticipating the light. This form of classical conditioning suggests that even brainless organisms can adapt to their environment.
“It’s a sign of memory-like behavior,” said Dr. Monica Gagliano, lead researcher.
While controversial, the study supports the idea that plants have a form of intelligence—raising new questions about how they sense, process, and respond to stimuli.
The findings were published in Scientific Reports, and future work will test whether other plant species show similar abilities.
