8 Films Starring Plants
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Plants are such a central part of all of our lives, it’s unsurprising that they also find their way into our entertainment. For those of us staying in this weekend and in need of a little relaxation and distraction, we’ve compiled a list of eight (mostly family-friendly) films and documentaries in which plants play starring roles.
Whether you want to lose yourself in an absurd comedy-horror classic (Little Shop of Horrors) or teach your middle-schoolers about astrobotany and resourcefulness (The Martian), these films are guaranteed to give you a brief respite from the news. Most are easily found on popular streaming sites like Amazon and Hulu. So get out the popcorn, and prepare for a botanical movie-marathon.
The Secret Life of Plants (1978)
Image from Shock Cinema Magazine.
Although several decades old, this documentary, based on the 1973 non-fiction book by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, is still fascinating to watch (if for nothing more than the fantastic original soundtrack by Stevie Wonder). The film explores the emotions and behavior of plants, and while it’s important to approach it with a grain of salt - much of the science it presents has since been discredited - the film serves as a good conversation-starter about the definition of consciousness, and the possibility of plant consciousness, which scientists have been debating for well over a century.
Watch it at topdocumentaryfilms.com.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986, PG-13 )
Photo from imdb.com
No list of plant films would be complete without Little Shop of Horrors. While it doesn’t depict horticulture as realistically as some of the other fictional films on this list, any horticulturist, landscaper, or gardener who has had to deal with a tempermental plant will undoubtedly sympathize with Richard Moranis’ unfortunate flower shop assistant, Seymour.
When Seymour comes across a mysterious, alien plant he names Audrey II after his crush, he soon realizes he has a manipulative, man-eating beast on his hands. Will Seymour risk losing his new-found success in the botanical world for the good of humanity? You’ll have to watch to find out!
The Secret Garden (1993, G)
Who hasn’t seen this classic film and longed for a secret garden of their own? Based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden tells the story of taciturn orphan Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with a mysterious uncle in the British countryside. When she comes upon his late wife’s neglected walled garden, she begins to tend to it along with some new friends - learning about plant care and regrowth, and becoming a more caring person in the process. Full of peaceful images and messages about the benefits of nature, this is a film appropriate even for the youngest members of your household (and there is a remake set to be released in April 2020).
Find this film on Amazon.
Adaptation (2002, R)
Photo from imdb.com
This is one to switch on after the kids go to bed, both due to the grown-up situations and the somewhat convoluted - but fascinating - plot. The Oscar-winning film follows struggling screenwriter Charlie Kaufman as he attempts to adapt real-life nonfiction book, The Orchid Thief, about the complexities surrounding the poaching of rare ghost orchids in Florida. Charlie quickly becomes entangled in the lives of author Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) and orchid hunter John Laroche (Chris Cooper). While the actual plants play a periphery role in the movie, those interested in plant conservation and chemistry (the orchids are used to make a hallucinogenic drug) will likely find the film’s inclusion of those topics intriguing - in addition to the fantastic acting.
Watch this film on Amazon.
The Botany of Desire (2009)
Image from www.watchdocumentaries.com
Based on the 2001 non-fiction book by journalist Michael Pollan, The Botany of Desire explores how humans affected the evolution of four plants - apples (representing our desire for sweetness), tulips (beauty), marijuana (intoxication), and potatoes (sustenance) - and how they, in turn, affected the development of our species. The two-hour PBS film, presented by the author, relates the histories and adaptations of the four species, for an informative story that will have you looking at these commonly-used plants in a new light.
Watch the film at for at naturedocumentaries.org.
The Lorax (2012, PG)
While we suggest you read the classic Dr. Seuss book first, the film version is still solid family-friendly fare full of important messages about caring for the environment and the dangers of capitalism. The plot follows a 12-year old boy, Ted (Zac Efron,) who lives in a town entirely devoid of plant life. In order to impress the girl he has a crush on, Ted sets out to find a real tree to bring back to her, seeking out the Once-Ler, a ruined businessman who tells him the tale of how The Lorax - a tree-guardian - was taken away due to his destructive quest for profit. The film includes Seuss’ timeless message, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not," making it relevant for children (and adults) of all ages.
The Martian (2015, PG-13)
Botanists don’t always get the hero treatment on the silver screen, but Matt Damon’s character in The Martian shows how knowledge of plants can be live-saving - while shedding light on the fascinating field of astrobotany. The perfect movie to entertain both plant aficionados and action film lovers in your household, The Martian follows the story of botanist Mark Watney, who is abandoned on Mars after his crew presumed him dead in a terrible storm. Mark is, of course, very much alive, and uses his knowledge of plant and soil science to create a garden, growing potatoes to supplement his food supply as he waits for rescue.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Martian is that fact mimicked fiction last year: researchers from the International Potato Center conducted a series of experiments to see if they could grow potatoes on Mars-like conditions (and it looks like they can). To read more about out-of-this-world potatoes, read our blogpost about 2018 Eliza Moore Fellow Lucia Monge, who recently sent true potato seeds into space aboard the Sojourner2020 international art payload.
Watch The Martian on Amazon and GooglePlay.
Fantastic Fungi (2019)
We know fungi aren’t plants, but we thought this amazing documentary on the magic of mushrooms - and the vital role they play in our environment - was worth including on the list anyway. The Audience Choice Award Winner from the 2019 American Conservation Film Festival, this documentary explores the secret world beneath our feet through stunning time-lapse photography, and how mushrooms have the power to help solve some of the world’s most dire problems. Anyone interested in the natural world, and how things grow, will enjoy this film - and you can watch it from home starting on March 26th.
Want to add some more plant-centric films to your watchlist? Here are some other titles to check out: FernGully, Little Joe, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Good Herbs, The Day of the Triffids, The Secret World of Plants, Treeline: A Story Written in Rings, Annihilation, The Private Life of Plants.
Do you know a great plant movie that we missed? Let us know in a comment!
Cover image: The Martian, 2015, 20th Century Studios