In Defense of Plants

An Exploration into the Wonder of Plants

By: Matt Candeias PhD

Narrated by: Matthew Boston

In his debut book, internationally recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms.

A botanist's defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection.

The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. In this book, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plant organisms as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms.

In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you'll find fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism, passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plants, and personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants.

©2021 Matt Candeias (P)2021 Tantor

Wonder, is ready to bloom.

In 23 years of being a native plant nerd, I couldn’t have said it better with another 27 years of trying.

Wonder, is ready to bloom.

Enjoyable, accessible read for plant nerds

I heard about this book from the author’s podcast of the same name. Like the podcast, it opens up the world of botany and the role it plays in ecological preservation to lay people like myself, who has a keen but untrained interest in climate change and habitat loss. Most importantly, it’s entertaining and inspiring.

overall easy to follow and enjoyable.

a little lacking in technical detail and the science aspects I was thinking it would have more of. otherwise an excellent listen

For nature lovers and everyone 🌿🍃🌵🌳🎍

A great read from an author I had not known I had listened to before. A necessary read on plants. Has really helped me in helping me advance in my career goals of being an environmental scientist.

Great book

I loved Matt's story, and it is very informative.


I rarely complain about narration, I can hear his inhale paragraph. It does get alittle annoying. I wish Matt had narrated this book. I love his podcast and voice.