Playlists
21 Best Songs About Plants
Expressive music about plants reflecting the beauty of nature.
The best songs about plants draw inspiration from the natural world, reflecting the beauty and power of a diverse selection of plant life.
It’s a topic that has inspired artists across musical genres, from the best folk music of the 1960s to iconic rock songs from the best bands of the 1980s.
Continue reading, and we’ll break down all the facts you need to know about these classic and contemporary songs about plants.
Table of Contents
The 21 Best Songs About Plants
With thousands of species of plants on the planet, many artists have used their imagery as inspiration for their most popular songs.
This playlist has been compiled to cover a broad selection of music genres, with tracks from the world’s most iconic singer-songwriters and bands.
So, with that said, here’s our playlist of the 21 best songs about plants:
21. “Lotus Flower” – Radiohead
We’re starting this playlist of the best songs about plants with a powerful piece of music from the inimitable English rock band Radiohead.
“Lotus Flower” sees the iconoclastic band in fine form, with lead singer Thom Yorke’s trademark falsetto vocals set to a beautiful syncopated bassline.
Often considered one of the best songs about flowers, “Lotus Flower” was featured on the band’s eighth studio album, The King of Limbs in 2011.
20. “Plants And Worms” – Girlpool
“Plants and Worms” by Girlpool was released in 2014 on the indie rock band’s self-titled debut EP, showcasing their unique brand of music.
The song’s lyrics explore life as a never-ending cycle of pain, death, and rebirth, all serving as a metaphor for the narrator’s insecurities and doubts.
The title track from their first extended player, “Plants and Worms,” marked the upcoming indie band as one to watch and paved the way for more successful releases.
19. “Plants And Rags” – PJ Harvey
For our next song, we’re trading plants and worms for PJ Harvey’s song, “Plants and Rags,” another fine alternative indie rock song from an icon of the genre.
Featured on the PJ Harvey album Dry, “Plants and Rags” explores issues including death and experiences in the dream world through its expressive lyrics.
It’s a popular song by an English singer-songwriter who has won numerous awards over the years, even picking up seven nominations for Grammy Awards.
18. “Strawberry Fields Forever” – The Beatles
Multiple Grammy Award-winning band, the Beatles are arguably the best-known band of all time, and “Strawberry Fields Forever” ranks among their most famous songs.
Infused with a dreamy, psychedelic production and lush vocals, “Strawberry Fields Forever” showcases the Beatles at their trippy best and was released at the height of the hippy movement.
Featured on the Beatles’ 1967 album Magical Mystery Tour, “Strawberry Fields Forever is a classic song that has influenced many artists in the years since its release.
17. “Dead Flowers” – The Rolling Stones
Like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones were fundamental in reshaping what rock and roll could achieve during the 1960s and have significantly influenced the genre.
“Dead Flowers” is an excellent example of what made the English band so admired, with Mick Jagger’s distinct vocals paired with powerful drums and guitaring.
“Dead Flowers” hit the charts in 1971 as part of their studio album Sticky Fingers, their first long player in which the band had complete creative freedom.
16. “Venus’ Flytrap And The Bug” – Stevie Wonder
Our next entry on this playlist of songs about plants is “Venus’ Flytrap And The Bug” by Stevie Wonder, another well-loved tune released in the 1970s.
Stevie Wonder brings his lush singing style to bear on the track, with simplistic lyrics set to a smooth jazz groove and evocative synthesizer.
Released on the aptly-titled Stevie Wonder album Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants, it’s one of the lesser-known works from his lengthy discography.
15. “Supermarket Flowers” – Ed Sheeran
Four years after collaborating with Taylor Swift on his powerful song about choices, “Everything Has Changed,” Ed Sheeran turned his attention to the topic of plants.
Another massive hit for the English singer-songwriter, “Supermarket Flowers,” is a deeply personal work that explores his experiences around the death of his maternal grandmother.
It’s one of the most touching tributes about the loss of a loved one in recent years and one of our favorite songs about plants to listen to.
14. “Looking At Plants” – Schlomo
The song “Looking at Plants” by Schlomo picked up the energy with an addictive groove and was featured on the popular EP from the act Heaven Inc.
It’s a mysterious and powerful piece of music with atmospheric guitars full of expressive reverb that marks Schlomo as one of the most innovative producers.
If you want to experience the track “Looking at Plants” by Schlomo in a new and exciting format, check out the YouTube video featuring the official visualizer.
13. “Daffodil Lament” – The Cranberries
The Cranberries stormed onto the music scene in 1993 with their seminal and groundbreaking record, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?
One of the standout tracks featured on this release was “Daffodil Lament,” which was released along with a lyric video that demonstrated their knack for performance.
Best known for their powerful and moving song about peace, “Zombie,” the Cranberries toured worldwide until they finally split up in 2019.
12. “Two Dozen Roses” – Shenandoah
Blending elements of pop and country music with ease, Shenandoah’s song “Two Dozen Roses” is another perfect song about plants worthy of adding to your playlist.
The lyrics in this song revolve around hypotheticals as to what could have been done to change the narrator’s lover’s mind and win her over.
A success among country music fans, “Two Dozen Roses” by Shenandoah topped the country music charts in both Canada and the United States of America in 1988.
11. “San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)” – Scott McKenzie
Scott McKenzie’s folk-infused pop song “San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)” is another classic song from the 1960s that explores plant themes.
A popular release at the time, it’s even credited with bringing in the crowds to San Francisco and boosting the growing hippy movement of the era.
“San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie also performed well in the charts and was featured in the action movie The Rock.
10. “Flower” – Kylie Minogue
Frequently ranked among the most talented pop singers of the 1990s, Kylie Minogue has produced and performed some of the best karaoke songs ever.
Her song “Flower” bears all the trademark characteristics of Minogue’s best work, from her vocal solid performance to the infectious and driving beats.
It’s one of the later works from Kylie Minogue’s discography, released as part of the album The Abbey Road Sessions along with a moving black and white lyric video.
9. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison
American glam metal rock band Poison aimed at plants with their signature song, “Every Rose Has It Thorn,” a mainstay in their live performances.
This great song was inspired by the experiences of Bret Michaels one night in a Dallas laundromat while calling his girlfriend on a payphone and hearing a male voice answer.
A powerful ballad that was featured on the second album released by Poison Open Up and Say… Ah! It’s a glam metal classic beloved by band fans.
8. “Bed Of Roses” – Bon Jovi
Another classic and hugely popular song that uses roses as its inspiration is “Bed of Roses” by Bon Jovi, one of the best 80s rock bands with millions of album sales worldwide.
Released in 1992, “Bed of Roses” is ostensibly a love song, with powerful imagery around the titular roses and a bed of nails scattered throughout the lyrics.
Bon Jovi released “Bed of Roses” on their hugely successful album Keep the Faith, their fifth album and one that marked a more serious turn for their pop-metal sounds.
7. “Plastic Plants” – Mahalia
With a combination of rhythm and blues with soul, Mahalia’s song “Plastic Plants” was a standout track from her 2023 album IRL (Deluxe).
It’s another example of how songs about plants can be used as a metaphor for love and relationships, with an undercurrent of loss and regret in the moving lyrics.
Mahalia’s career has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the English singer-songwriter recently appearing in the movie Brotherhood along with Stormzy.
6. “Sage And Spirit” – Grateful Dead
Like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, the Grateful Dead played an instrumental role in shaping the rock music scene in the later 1960s and 1970s.
Their 1975 song “Sage and Spirit” was featured on their controversially-titled album Blues for Allah, a fusion of rock and jazz with a touch of folk thrown in for good measure.
It’s an instrumental track that perfectly accompaniments growing plants on a lazy day, which received high praise from some critics at the time of its release.
5. “Roses” – Shawn Mendes
“Roses” by Shawn Mendes was released the same year as his hit song about jealousy, “Treat You Better,” and featured on the deluxe version of the album Illuminate.
It’s another song that uses plant growth as a metaphor for personal and spiritual development and the narrator’s hopes for a strong and healthy relationship.
Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes has enjoyed a prolific music career, drawing inspiration from other artists, including Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars.
4. “Desert Rose” – Sting
For Sting, the song “Desert Rose” is an opportunity to explore broader aspects of the natural world, combining his unique style with collaborator Cheb Mami.
It’s a powerful song that explores the singer’s vision of a garden in the desert sands and the secret life of a rose that bears a sweet perfume.
Sting released this wonderful pop song in 1999 on his album Brand New Day, which got promoted heavily at the time of its release based on the success of “Desert Rose.”
3. “Lemon Tree” – Peter, Paul & Mary
Folk music icons Peter, Paul, and Mary’s lovely song “Lemon Tree” is a tune that urges the listener to head into the garden and grow plants in the sun.
A breezy, sweet tune from 1962, it’s a song that reflects on the feeling of watering plants with your parents as a child and learning life lessons.
“Lemon Tree” was released as the debut album by Peter, Paul, and Mary, one of the rare folk music albums to reach the number-one spot on the US charts.
2. “Heard It Through The Grapevine” – Marvin Gaye
One of the most well-known songs from Marvin Gaye’s entire career, “Heard It Through The Grapevine,” is partly responsible for catapulting Motown into the spotlight.
This acclaimed soul classic, released on his 1968 album Groove, has since been ranked as one of the greatest songs ever and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Initially recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” has since been covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Temptations.
1. “Moss Garden” – David Bowie
Responsible for writing and performing some of the best songs of all time, David Bowie turned his songwriting attention to plants with “Moss Garden.”
One of the more obscure tracks from this trailblazing performer, “Moss Garden,” nevertheless demonstrates his talent for composing wonderfully arranged instrumentation.
Released in 1977 on his album Heroes, “Moss Garden” was also featured on the soundtrack to the documentary Moonage Daydream, which explored Bowie’s unique career.
Summary
We hope you’ve enjoyed this playlist exploring the best songs about plants you can listen to the next time you’re in the garden on a weekend.
These great songs reflect the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world and come from some of the world’s leading singer-songwriters and bands.
It’s a topic that will continue to feature in the work of the best musicians who draw inspiration from these natural wonders.