A plant scientist explores her interior wilderness

The silhouette of a man standing in the mouth of a cave and looking up at the stars.

Photo illustration by Angelo Bautista. Original image by Sebastian Knoll (CC0)

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Plant scientist Monica Gagliano did a series of groundbreaking experiments that suggest plants have a capacity to learn, remember and make choices. She’s written about plant intelligence and communication. But she hasn’t talked—until now—about the leap of faith she took when a plant told her to go on a darkness retreat—for 39 days.

To learn more about Monica's scientific work, listen to Steve Paulson’s conversation with her on the new field of plant intelligence.