Synopsis

David Attenborough looks at how plants often rely on animals, fungi and each other for food, protection or a home, but they do not always co-exist peacefully.

Further Information

More clips from The Private Life of Plants

01: Travelling | The Private Life of Plants

BBC One | 1995 | 49'02''

David Attenborough begins his incredible journey into the world of plants with a look at how plants move from place to place.

02: Growing | The Private Life of Plants

BBC One | 1995 | 49'07''

David Attenborough continues his incredible journey into the world of plants. Remarkable time-lapse photography reveals how new leav...

03: Flowering | The Private Life of Plants

BBC One | 1995 | 48'50''

David Attenborough continues his incredible journey into the world of plants. He reveals how flowers use colours and perfumes for ...

04: The Social Struggle | The Private Life of Plants

BBC One | 1995 | 49'02''

David Attenborough looks at the extraordinary battles for survival which are fought in the plant world.

06: Surviving | The Private Life of Plants

BBC One | 1995 | 48'30''

David Attenborough concludes his incredible journey into the world of plants with a look at the techniques plants use to survive e...

Flight of the bumblebee | The Private Life of Plants

BBC Two | 2014 | 4'11''

David Attenborough explores the role of insects, especially bees, in the pollination process.

Plants in cold environments | The Private Life of Plants

BBC Two | 1995 | 5'20''

David Attenborough describes how certain plant species adapt to cold weather.

The dead-horse arum and the titan arum | The Private Life of Plants

BBC Two | 2014 | 6'10''

David Attenborough describes how the dead-horse arum and the titan arum are able to reproduce.

The pollination process | The Private Life of Plants

BBC Two | 2014 | 4'57''

David Attenborough describes the process of pollination and how this helps plants reproduce.

More from Sir David Attenborough

04: Freshwater | Planet Earth III

BBC One | 2023 | 58'26''

Fresh water is the lifeblood of planet Earth, where incredible animal dramas play out. From death-feigning fish to frogs that glide, each d...

The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 3'08''

Nutrients from the deep provide sustenance for a large gathering of sea life.

Ants vs Cows | Natural World

BBC Two | 2017 | 2'09''

The super colony unites in a spectacular attack to defend their nest from curious cows.

03: Jungles | Planet Earth II

BBC One | 2016 | 58'00'''

Jungles provide the richest habitats on the planet - mysterious worlds of high drama where extraordinary animals attempt to survive in the most...

Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood

BBC Two | 2014 | 3'53''

Wall lizards take advantage of foul-smelling dead-horse arums.

How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon

BBC Two | 2009 | 58'22''

Naturalist Sir David Attenborough investigates whether the world faces a population crisis and if it is the duty of indiv...

10: Seasonal Forests | Planet Earth

BBC One | 2006 | 58'44''

Documentary series which celebrates our planet in all its glory. David Attenborough reveals the greatest woodlands on earth, from the nor...

David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth

BBC One | 2026 | 1'31'15''

A 90-minute special, broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall, London, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's groundbreaking career ...

01: Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles

BBC One | 2023 | 57'14''

David Attenborough celebrates the rich variety of habitats in our wild isles, the existence of which is critical for the survival of spec...

07: Worlds of Wonder | Frozen Planet II

BBC One | 2023 | 58'06''

A journey through the world’s coldest realms with the most-loved animals from the series, including emperor penguins and one of the l...

David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

BBC One | 2022 | 1'32''

David Attenborough speaks about the environment. Also, includes footage of the drones that turn into animals.

01: Tropical Worlds | The Green Planet

BBC One | 2022 | 58'43''

Tropical rainforests are plant battlegrounds. New filming techniques allow us to enter the world of plants to see it from their perspe...

Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World

BBC One | 2021 | 3'39''

Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough discuss their hopes for the future of the planet.

The People v Climate Change

BBC Two | 2021 | 1'03'06''

Meet the 108 ordinary Brits who Sir David Attenborough says we should listen to. This warm and honest documentary reveals how everyday people fee...

Views on COP26 | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2021 | 3'06''

COP26 delegates and climate scientist Hannah Cloke discuss their hopes for the COP26 conference.

Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour

BBC One | 2021 | 1'15''

A poison dart frog fights off a contender until he's sufficiently warned off.

Self-sacrificing fish | Life

BBC Two | 2021 | 3'32''

Flying fish can leave the water and soar great distances on their elongated fins to escape from predators below the waves. But finding a place t...

Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 58'01''

With a million species at risk of extinction, David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, including puttin...

South America | Seven Worlds, One Planet

BBC One | 2019 | 57'59''

South America - the most species-rich continent on earth. From the volcanoes of the Andes to the world's largest rainforest, animals...

Tait's pups meet the pack... and honey badgers | Dynasties

BBC One | 2018 | 2'10''

Tait introduces her tiny pups to the rest of the pack as they emerge for the very first time. But the pack is visi...

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05: Living Together | The Private Life of Plants

Synopsis

More clips from The Private Life of Plants

More resources about Plant tissues and transport

More from Sir David Attenborough