A kinder, gentler “Little Shop of Horrors.” That’s basically “The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks,” Theatreworks USA’s new musical.

The plant (two of them, in fact) belongs to seventh-grader Michael (Jason Williams) and his younger brother Norman (Lance Rubin).

Michael’s the sort of kid who hangs his dirty socks on a lampshade (“I was baking the stink out of them,” he tells his mom), while Norman’s a neatnik. Sharing a bedroom, the brothers are a pint-sized version of “The Odd Couple.”

When they discover the plants they grew from some “amazing beans” devour dirty socks, they want to keep it a secret from their parents (Lorinda Lisitza, Kilty Reidy) and the cheerleader next door (Lauren Marcus).

Written and composed by Joe Iconis, the show is a fast-paced hour of lighthearted fun. Grown-ups should get a kick out of it as well.

Through Aug. 22 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St.; free; (212) 647-1100, twusa.org