Enter the Leafy, Electronic World of ‘Plantasia'

Nestle amid the flora at the UCLA Botanic Garden and listen to the classic, made-for-plants 1976 album.

What to Know

  • Aug. 10 and 11, 2019
  • UCLA Botanic Garden
  • $45

That pothos in your den, over by the window? Surely you told it "good morning" as you sat down to sip your coffee. 

If you didn't, please pause here and go do so now.

And the ficus in the corner of your living room? You expressed how much you appreciate it, just the other day, as you try and do often.

Talking to our plants is not a new concept, but, in 1976, composer Mort Garson tried something rather wonderful, whimsical, and artfully eco-tastic: He released "Plantasia," an album that was created not for people to listen to, but, rather, for plants to enjoy.

It's an electronic slice of '70s-era optimism, one that humans have come to love, too.

And several of those humans, including both longtime fans and newcomers to the "Plantasia" phenomenon, will gather at the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanic Garden for a leafy, tree-adjacent listening party.

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Atlas Obscura is at the breathe-deep helm of this happy happening, and Sacred Bones Records is a partner, too.

The night will sprout with natural wonders, including a cocktail straight from the "Botany at the Bar" mixology book (it's included with your ticket). If you'd prefer a shrub, well, that feels fitting.

Mileece, the "celebrated composer and interactive ecology designer," will be there to talk about "plant sentience."

She'll also give attendees a look and listen to an invention she devised: "a botanical feedback system that generates lightscapes and organic music by transforming the bio-electric currents of plants, trees, and even people."

After that cool demo, prepare to get your (chloro)-fill of "Plantasia," as this forward-thinking, planet-loving, leaf-supreme work of art is played "as the gardens grow dark."

There's a waitlist for Aug. 10, but tickets are available for Sunday, Aug. 11.

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