Growers Podcast

Did trees in Australia once eat people… or is this just one of the wildest plant myths ever?In this episode, we dive into a bizarre Reddit thread that compiles historical newspaper clippings and first-hand accounts of so-called man-eating trees. These stories describe massive, tentacle-like plants that could trap and consume animals—and possibly humans.Naturally, we had to investigate.We read through the original accounts, break down where these stories came from, and try to figure out:Were these just exaggerated newspaper myths?Could something like this actually exist?And why do so many cultures have stories about dangerous, predatory plants?We also compare these legends to real-life plants like Puya chilensis—a very real (and very spiky) plant known for trapping and killing animals. So… is it really that far-fetched?Expect a mix of history, plant science, internet chaos, and questionable conclusions as we try to separate fact from fiction.As always, things get a little out of hand

Ibogaine is one of the most talked-about plant compounds in the world right now—but what is it, and why is it suddenly back in the spotlight?Unfortunately we also had some other pressing issues to attend to while we recorded the episode... but we still got it done! We just love podcasting so much :)In this episode, we dive into ibogaine, a naturally occurring compound derived from the African plant Tabernanthe iboga, traditionally used in spiritual ceremonies and now being studied for its potential role in treating addiction, PTSD, and depression.We break down:Why ibogaine has re-entered public conversation after recent high-profile discussions (between JOE ROGAN + TRUMP!!!!)How it’s being researched for addiction and mental health treatmentThe history of its traditional useWhat the science currently says (and what it doesn’t)And of course… some of the most intense and fascinating experience reports we could findSome people describe ibogaine as life-changing. Others describe it as overwhelming, difficult, and not something to take lightly.As always, we approach this topic with curiosity, humor, and a healthy amount of skepticism.

What if a single tree connected every world in existence?In this episode, we dive into Yggdrasil, the legendary world tree from Norse mythology—a massive cosmic tree said to link together all realms, including gods, humans, and the underworld.But this isn’t just some ancient story…We break down:The 9 realms connected by YggdrasilThe strange creatures living inside it (yes… including a dragon and a chaotic squirrel)The symbolism behind the tree and what it may representPossible real-world inspirations for the mythAnd of course… our completely serious attempt to understand it (which goes off the rails pretty fast)As plant lovers, we also ask:👉 Could a tree like this exist in reality?👉 Are there real plants that resemble a “world tree”?👉 And why do so many cultures have similar myths?Expect a mix of mythology, plant science, and chaos as we explore one of the most fascinating trees ever imagined.

In this episode of The Growers Show, we dive into some of the strangest and most mysterious plants ever described—plants that sound completely made up… but might have some truth behind them.From a so-called magnetic cactus that pulls people into its spines, to giant carnivorous plants rumored to eat animals, we explore the line between botanical reality and pure myth.We also look at bizarre historical accounts of plants that supposedly existed, including:A magnetic cactus said to kill anything that gets too closeA massive, man-eating flower that lures people in with its scentSeaweed rumored to grant eternal lifeGiant pitcher plants in New Jersey large enough to consume animalsAre these just exaggerated stories, or could there be real plants behind the legends?Along the way, we break down the science, the history, and the possibility behind these myths—all while keeping things as chaotic and entertaining as usual.If you’re into weird plants, botany, folklore, or unexplained mysteries, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore some of the most fascinating extinct plants in history, including one of the most legendary of them all: silphium.Silphium was a plant so valuable in the ancient world that it was said to be worth its weight in gold. Used in Roman cuisine, medicine, and trade, it became one of the most sought-after plants in history, until it disappeared completely.We discuss:What silphium was and why it was so valuableHow it was used in ancient RomeTheories on why it went extinctOther well-known plants that have been lost to historyWhat plant extinction can teach us todayFrom overharvesting to environmental change, the story of silphium is a powerful example of how even the most important plants aren’t immune to disappearing forever.The Growers Show Podcast explores plant history, ecology, and the relationship between humans and the natural world, including the stories of what we’ve lost along the way.

In this episode, we’re talking about one of the most beautiful and underrated trees of early spring: the redbud.If you’ve ever noticed bright pink flowers popping up on trees before anything else has even started to leaf out, chances are you were looking at a redbud. These trees are often one of the very first signs that winter is ending and spring is finally arriving.We break down:Why redbud trees bloom so earlyThe unique way their flowers grow directly from the branches and trunkTheir role in native ecosystems across North AmericaThe history and cultural significance of redbudsWhy they might be one of the best ornamental trees you can plantWhether you’re into plant identification, native species, or just appreciate the moment spring starts to show itself, redbuds are hard to miss once you know what to look for.If you’ve been seeing these trees everywhere lately, now you know why.

In Part 3 of our trumpet flower series, we focus entirely on Datura and some of the most bizarre, chaotic, and unintentionally hilarious trip reports ever posted online.Drawing from public archives like Erowid, we read real user-submitted experiences and try to understand why this plant consistently produces ABSOLUTELY INSANE stories Datura has a long and complicated history in folklore, traditional medicine, and ritual use — but it is also one of the most dangerous and toxic psychoactive plants in the world.In this episode we:Break down why Datura causes such intense deliriumDiscuss its historical and cultural backgroundAnalyze why so many reports follow similar themesTry to find humor in situations that were… probably not funny at the timeImportant: Datura is highly toxic and can cause severe medical emergencies. This episode is for educational and documentary purposes only. We do not encourage experimentation or misuse.Our goal is to explore plant history, ethnobotany, and the strange ways humans interact with powerful plants — while keeping the conversation honest, responsible, and occasionally laughing at the absurdity of it all.If you enjoy plant history, chaotic internet archives, and deep dives into misunderstood species, Part 3 might be the wildest one yet.

In Part 2 of our trumpet flower deep dive, we read some of the wildest, strangest, and unexpectedly funniest trip reports involving Datura and Brugmansia.These plants have a long history in ritual, folklore, and traditional medicine — but they also have a reputation for producing some of the most chaotic and confusing experiences ever written down on the internet.In this episode, we:Read real user-submitted reports from public archivesTry to find the humor in situations that were… not funny at the timeBreak down why Datura and Brugmansia affect the brain so differentlyDiscuss their cultural and historical useTalk about why these are not plants to experiment with casuallyLet’s just say: invisible cigarettes, conversations with people who aren’t there, and 48-hour confusion are recurring themes.Important: Datura and Brugmansia are highly toxic and can cause serious medical emergencies. This episode is for educational and historical discussion only. We do not encourage experimentation or misuse.Our goal is to explore plant history, ethnobotany, and the strange intersection between humans and powerful plants — while keeping it honest, informative, and occasionally laughing at the absurdity of it all.If you enjoy plant history, cultural lore, and chaotic internet archives… this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Growers Show Podcast, we explore the fascinating and controversial history of the trumpet flowers: Datura and Brugmansia.

These striking plants have been used for centuries in spiritual, ceremonial, and medicinal contexts across cultures. We discuss:The historical use of datura and brugmansia in traditional medicineTheir powerful psychoactive properties and risksHow these plants were viewed in indigenous traditionsWhy they remain some of the most misunderstood flowers in horticultureWe also briefly address the recent news cycle where these plants were mentioned in connection with documents related to Jeffrey E. Our discussion focuses on the plants themselves and their documented historical uses

Important: Datura and Brugmansia are highly toxic and dangerous plants. This episode is for educational and historical discussion only. We do not encourage experimentation or misuse.At The Growers Show Podcast, we explore the cultural history, ecology, and real-world context of plants If you’re interested in plant history, ethnobotany, and how media trends intersect with horticulture, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Growers Show Podcast, we’re talking about one of the most underrated native trees in the American South: the mayhaw tree.The fruit of the mayhaw has been used for generations to make mayhaw jelly, a regional staple with a long history of medicinal use, including traditional support for healthy blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.We discuss:What the mayhaw tree is and where it grows naturallyThe history of mayhaw jelly in Southern foodwaysTraditional medicinal uses of mayhaw fruitWhy this native plant has been largely overlookedHow native food plants connect ecology, culture, and healthThis episode isn’t medical advice, it’s a conversation about plants, history, and traditional knowledge that deserves more attention.The Growers Show Podcast explores plants, ecology, native species, food, and the stories tied to the natural world.If you’ve ever had mayhaw jelly, or never even heard of it, this episode is for you.