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

1: 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.

2: 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 leave...

3: 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 p...

4: 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.

6: 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 ex...

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

4: 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 de...

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.

Young spider monkey needs dad's help | Planet Earth II

BBC One | 2016 | 2'23''

In the forests of Guatemala a young spider monkey is going exploring. But she gets stuck and needs dad's help to get d...

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...

Cross-dresser | Life

BBC One | 2009 | 2'22''

Some male cuttlefish are too small to fight for a mate, so have to come up with a sneaky plan if they are to get their way with the girls. Approaching a...

Whale shark feeding | Planet Earth

BBC One | 2006 | 2'20''

The crew seized an unexpected opportunity, when a perfect set of technical and animal circumstances converged, to film this behaviour for ...

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 species ...

2: Water Worlds | The Green Planet

BBC One | 2022 | 58'13''

A look at the beautiful, bizarre worlds created by water plants. Flowers smother rivers and lakes. Plants fight and hunt. A river bubbles ...

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.

COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2021 | 3'06''

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

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.

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.

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...

Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet

BBC One | 2021 | 2'46''

Glaciers crumbling more quickly, due to climate change, give the advantage to leopard seals hunting penguins.

How human impact on the environment is increasing the emergence of new diseases | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 6'42''

An explanation as to why pandemic diseases are becoming more common d...

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...

Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet

BBC Two | 2017 | 10'13''

The scavengers of the deep ocean rely on predators at the surface to provide their nutrition.

Compilation | Attenborough at 90

BBC One | 2016 | 1'26''

A short montage of the fun and amazing moments David Attenborough has shared in his documentaries over a 70-year career.

5: 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

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