The Plant Based Podcast

Today's guest is someone many of you will already know from Instagram — a passionate plant collector, educator, and all-around plant enthusiast who has built a thriving community around a love for houseplanys. With a feed full of lush houseplants, practical tips, and honest moments from life as a self-confessed plant addict, Jonny Balchandani has inspired thousands to bring more plants into their homes and lives.
You might know him better as The Bearded Plantaholic.
In this episode, we're talking about how his plant journey began, how social media helped grow his community, the realities of caring for a serious plant collection, and of course a few favourite plants along the way.
Michael and Ellen then proceed to gossip as usual, from feeling defeated during a drought and taking up drawing. There might be some chat about plants but who knows!
Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders. If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go. No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results.
Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round. 
Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life. 
www.gardenonaroll.com

In this lively episode of The Plant Based Podcast, Michael sits down with the wonderfully candid Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening magazine, for a chat that's equal parts insightful and delightfully gossipy. They dig into Kim's journey through the horticultural world, her passion for resilient, climate-friendly gardening, and what really goes on behind the scenes of one of the UK's most beloved gardening publications. Along the way, Kim shares her thoughts on the trends shaping modern gardening, from sustainable practices to the renewed love for growing your own food.
 
But it wouldn't be a proper catch-up without a bit of juicy industry chatter! Expect plenty of laughs, honest reflections, and a warm, down-to-earth conversation that feels like a good natter over a cup of tea—perfect for anyone who loves plants, people and the stories that connect them.
 
Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders.
 
If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go.
 
No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results. 
 
Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round. Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. It's planting by numbers! Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

 
www.gardenonaroll.com

Have you ever heard a plant talking? To kick off series 20 of the podcast Ellen Mary and Michael Perry visited Cambridge Univeristy Botanic Garden to chat with Raffy and Kathryn about the Talking Plants Exhibition. Imagine a Jade Vine chatting or an Ant Plant explaining how it grows! Running until 12th April 2026, this exhibition is about using AI for education and engagement at the garden. Find out more: https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/talking-plants/
As always, Ellen and Michael have a gossip about anything and everything but there is always plants involved...at some point!
Series 20 of the podcast is sponsored by Garden on a Roll - the perfect solution for beautiful, ready-made garden borders.
If you love the look of professionally designed planting but don't have the time, knowledge, or patience to plan it yourself, Garden on a Roll has you covered. Each border is expertly designed by Award Winning Garden Designer Antony Henn and delivered with a simple, pre-planned biodegradable template you can roll out and plant in one go.
 
No guesswork. No stress. Just follow the instructions and enjoy the results.
 
Whether you're refreshing a tired space or starting from scratch, you'll get a cohesive, seasonal design that works with plants chosen to thrive together and look great all year round.
 
Choose your style and size and everything you need is delivered to your door. 
 
It's planting by numbers!
 
Visit Garden on a Roll today and bring your outdoor space to life.

Believe it or not, but this does include Christmas plants - you'll just have to wait until Michael has released his anger about the festive season first! Joking aside, Ellen and Michael are finishing off series 19 gossiping about all the things they've been up to, giving Christmas plant care advice, predicting what's to come in the plant world for 2026 plus theres some weight lifting involved... 
Happy Christmas plant lovers! Thanks for downloading The Plant Based Podcast. 
 
Series 19 has been sponsored by Queen and Fine - the new floral design studio by Ellen Mary. 
www.queenandfine.com

In this episode, Michael sits down with Mattias Redlefsen, an industry leader at Benary GmbH, one of the world's most respected companies in ornamental plant breeding. 
 
With more than 175 years of history, Benary has shaped the global horticulture industry- and Mattias offers a rare inside look at how the company continues to thrive through innovation, research, and a deep commitment to quality.
 
Mattias shares his perspective on the evolution of modern seed breeding, how Benary balances tradition with cutting-edge technology, and sustainability and the future of the horticulture sector.
 
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Series 19 is sponsored by Queen and Fine Floral Design - the new floral design studio by co-host of the podcast, Ellen Mary.
Find out more: www.queenandfine.com
Instagram: @queenandfine