Branch Out Australian Institute of Botanical Science

Throughout human history, the gifting and trading of plants has been a way for people to connect. Discover the story behind the Instagram-famous 'friendship plant' that used to be impossible to find, and how you can grow one at home.

Orchids are found on every continent, except Antarctica, growing everywhere from hot swamps to cold mountain tops. Unfortunately, a large proportion of Aussie native orchids are threatened or endangered. From isolating the fungi needed to germinate their seeds to studying their pollinators - discover how scientists like Jessica Wait at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science are using science to help save orchids from extinction.

During the era of the Dutch golden age in 1637, it’s said that one tulip bulb could of bought you a beautiful house on the canal in Amsterdam. Discover how the obsession with these unique flowers allegedly caused the first and most famous market bubble crashes.

From the 'great pacific garbage patch' to 'wet wipe island' - pollution is out of control. But in 2021, Gary Moran went viral for not needing to put out his red council bin for 3 years and 4 months. Discover his simple hacks to reduce your household waste as we feature an episode from the Plants Grow Here podcast by Daniel Fuller.

Microscopic hairs of a leaf clinging to a murder suspect's jacket is all a forensic botanist needs to crack the case. Discover how two high-profile kidnapping-murder cases in America and Australia were solved using forensic botany and how the field has continued to evolve. You'll also learn the truth behind why the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, knows so much about poisonous plants.

#WitchTok videos are clocking up billions of views. Discover why witchcraft is on the rise and the important role plants and nature have to play in its resurgence amongst young people in this magical episode featuring Christina Oakley-Harrington - a modern witch and founder of Treadwells, a famous London bookstore dedicated to the occult.