James Wong

James Wong is a Kew-trained botanist, science writer and broadcaster who specialises in making plant science accessible, relevant and genuinely engaging for diverse audiences. With a Master's degree in Ethnobotany and field research spanning Ecuador, Java and China, he has authored internationally bestselling books including 'Grow Your Own Drugs' and 'Homegrown Revolution', presented award-winning BBC programmes, and co-founded the RHS medal-winning garden design studio Amphibian Designs. Named by The Sunday Times as one of the Top 20 most influential people in horticulture, James equips audiences with practical insights into underutilised crops, traditional food systems and innovative growing techniques that inspire fresh thinking about sustainability and the natural world.

After graduating with a Master of Science degree in Ethnobotany from Kew in 2006, James Wong turned his fascination with underutilised crops and traditional food systems into a mission to reconnect audiences with the science of plants. His field research has taken him deep into rural Ecuador, Java and China, where he studied ethnopharmacology and the agricultural wisdom embedded in communities often overlooked by mainstream horticulture. That commitment to making plant science accessible and relevant has shaped every dimension of his career, from bestselling books and award-winning television to garden design and public engagement. Today, he stands as one of the most recognisable voices in British horticulture, known for translating complex botanical knowledge into practical ideas that resonate far beyond the garden gate.

James is the author of the internationally bestselling books 'Grow Your Own Drugs' and 'Homegrown Revolution', both of which challenged conventional thinking about what we grow and why. His presenting work spans a range of BBC programmes, including the award-winning 'Grow Your Own Drugs' and 'Great British Garden Revival', as well as Radio 4's 'Gardeners' Question Time', where his approachable style and evidence-based insights have earned him a loyal following. In 2008, he co-founded Amphibian Designs, a garden design studio that has won four consecutive RHS medals, including gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2010 and 2011. Recognised by The Sunday Times in 2015 as one of the Top 20 most influential people in horticulture, James became an RHS Ambassador in 2014 and continues to guest lecture at universities and horticultural colleges across the UK. His writing appears regularly in the RHS publications and the popular scientific press, where he explores the intersection of botany, culture and sustainability with clarity and curiosity.

James equips audiences with fresh perspectives on how plants can address real-world challenges, from food security and biodiversity to sustainable living and innovation in agriculture. His talks combine rigorous science with storytelling drawn from his global fieldwork, offering practical takeaways that inspire action and shift assumptions. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, educators, or gardening enthusiasts, he makes complex ideas feel immediate and achievable, encouraging audiences to rethink their relationship with the natural world. With his small London garden serving as a testing station for crops and horticultural ideas from around the globe, James demonstrates that curiosity, experimentation and a willingness to learn from traditional knowledge can unlock meaningful change. His sessions leave audiences informed, energised and ready to apply new thinking to their own environments.