How Alexa can help you look after your plants

Following new research revealing nearly half of us already speak to our house plants, Alexa is now on hand with new features to help plants grow even stronger and healthier.

Amazon has teamed up with leading botanist and TV presenter, James Wong, to bring new plant-care expertise to Alexa, including a new featured routine, whispered affirmations and updated knowledge to help customers keep their house plants alive and healthy.

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From today, Alexa users will be able to ask over 35 new questions about their favourite house plants, including “How much light does my Aloe Vera need?” and “How often should I water my cheese plant?”, and can activate a new featured routine through the Alexa app that will create the optimum growing conditions for their potted pals.

Customers can access the new routine via the Alexa app, which includes reminders to check on and water house plants, smart home connectivity to provide optimum light and temperature settings to keep plants alive and well*, as well as plant-friendly music playlists to encourage growth. The routine lands on the app as new research finds nearly a third (30%) of Brits find it difficult to remember how frequently their plants need watering or feeding.

Customers can also experiment with a series of new plant affirmations, because research shows that sound can have a positive effect on plant growth. Simply say, “Alexa, be my plant whisperer” to hear Alexa whisper positive affirmations to your house plants. The affirmations launch as research found that, much like our very own King Charles, nearly half (46%) of plant lovers in the UK have previously spoken to their house plants in an effort to support their growth.

With summer holidays on the horizon, Amazon Devices can even help ease any separation anxiety customers might have about leaving their leafy friends unattended for extended periods of time. Through their Ring Indoor Camera (2^nd Gen), customers can get a direct live feed to keep a watchful eye over their plants – perfect for the 28% of Brits who claim it would give them peace of mind if they could see their plants through a home security camera when away.

Plants won’t be the only ones to benefit however, with over half of those surveyed (59%) agreeing that looking after plants benefits their mental well-being, a further 50% feeling pride for seeing their plants thrive, and an additional third claiming that plant care helps reduce stress and anxiety.

The new data has been substantiated by psychologist Dr Sophie Mort, who reiterates that tending to plants can be an instrumental method to help manage mental health. Dr Sophie said: “Plant care is an incredible way to practice mindfulness, it creates feelings of comfort and relaxation as well as a sense of pride when we see the plants we tend to flourish – now even easier with Alexa.”

Speaking on his role in Alexa’s latest horticultural upgrade, James Wong added: “It is easy to be deterred when a plant discolours or dies, that's why I've loved collaborating with Amazon to upskill Alexa on plant knowledge and develop a plant care routine to help Brits gain more confidence in caring for house plants”

Meryem Tom, Amazon Alexa’s UK Country Manager said: “Alexa’s knowledge of plant care has been well and truly bolstered, and with the summer coming up, it’s the perfect time for our customers to have a play around with the new Alexa routine and level-up their plant care skills in the process!”

1. Open the Alexa mobile app
   
2. Select ‘more’ from the bottom navigation menu
   
3. Select ‘routines’ from the options
   
4. Tap ‘featured’ from the sliding top menu
   
5. Select ‘’Plant Whisperer’
   
6. Select the devices you wish to feature in the routine
   
7. Select ‘save’
   
8. To get going with the routine, just say ‘Alexa, mind my plants!’

Find out what Alexa's most asked questions and answers were from UK customers in 2023.