Houseplants

Charlotte Stavrou and Amit Katwala go mushy for houseplants in this episode of All Consuming where they explore our culture of consumption.

Philodendrons, Hoyas, Monsteras - the list of plants available to consumers is now almost endless and these green companions became a crucial part of our home during lockdown when we craved the outdoors.

In recent years, our love for houseplants has seen the plant market explode - but at what cost?

Charlotte and Amit meet Jacob James, a seller of rare plants at the Royal Chelsea Flower Show, who reveals that there’s been a recent crash in rare houseplant prices.

We check in with historian Catherine Horwood to find out how houseplants first entered the home and ecologist Dr Adam Cross gives us a fly’s eye view of a rare carnivorous plant.

Amateur biologist Sebastian Cocioba tells us how he hacks orchids for a special Mother’s Day present.

Presenters: Amit Katwala and Chalotte Stavrou

Producer: Emily Uchida Finch

A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4