Watch Plant Odyssey

Plant Odyssey is a fascinating television show on the streaming platform, discovery+, led by renowned horticulturist and BBC presenter Carol Klein. The show's premise is beautifully simple: to explore the world and its breathtaking botanical diversity. The series takes viewers on an incredible journey to some of the most remote and lesser-known corners of our planet, seeking out rare and exotic plant life.

Klein's deep expertise and passion for plants are immediately evident on the show, manifested in her enthusiasm for each species she encounters. Plant Odyssey is a three-part series, divided into episodes focusing on the world's tropics, deserts, and mountains. Every single episode is a visual feast for plant enthusiasts, covering some of the world's most beautiful ecosystems.

In the “Tropical” episode, Klein travels to South America to investigate the unique anatomy and species of a variety of plants in the region. She begins in the rainforests of Brazil, where she visits the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro and meets various plant species like bromeliads and palms. She also visits the amazing Monte Verde cloud forest region in Colombia, where she discovers the unique diversity of plants at various elevations, including the endangered Frailejón plant species. The tropical episode also includes a fascinating segment on the Wunderpus octopus, showcasing how the octopus uses plants as a protective shield in the waters.

The “Desert” episode is equally fascinating, taking viewers to some of the harshest and most unforgiving terrains on earth. Klein explores how the plants have adapted to arid conditions, and the wisdom and secrets they hold. She starts in the Great Basin Desert in Nevada, showing how cacti, agave plants, and yucca plants have adapted to the conditions. Klein also travels to the Namib Desert in Namibia, where she learns how to plant water-absorbing trees that can reduce desertification. The highlight of the episode is the exploration of the rare and beautiful flowering desert lilies in the Atacama Desert of Chile.

The “Mountain” episode of Plant Odyssey is equally breathtaking, as Klein takes on an expedition to the Himalayan mountain range. Here, she investigates how plants have adapted and survive in high altitudes. The episode takes viewers to the beautiful regions of Bhutan and Nepal, where Klein visits traditional medicine doctors who use plants for medicinal purposes. In a high-altitude trek, Klein goes to the base camp of Mount Everest to see how plants have adapted to the extreme conditions of the Himalayas. From devils claw to tiny lichens and orchids, the great Himalayas have so much to offer in terms of plant diversity, and viewers get a chance to witness it all through Klein's extensive exploration.

In each episode, Klein encounters fascinating plant species and meets various experts, including botanists, conservationists, and traditional healers, who share insights on the value and importance of plants in our lives. She also shares a bit of her own gardening tricks, making the series not only educational but also practical. The show’s visuals are stunning, capturing the beauty of each plant and location, making viewers feel as though they are personally experiencing the journey.

Plant Odyssey is incredibly well-produced and informative, offering viewers a fascinating look at the world's plants, their relationship to the environment, and the role they play in sustaining life on earth. Klein is an excellent host, bringing her vast knowledge of gardening, with her infectious love for botany, to viewers around the world. Whether you are a plant enthusiast, nature lover, or simply an avid traveler, this show will take you on a fantastic journey worth watching.