Explore plant topics
CHONK DIRECTORY · UK RESOURCES
Reliable places to start.
Official UK agencies, current import and movement rules, specialist plant societies and useful online communities in one place.
Rules can change and differ across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Check the linked authority before buying, posting, carrying or importing plants. Community advice is informal, so verify plant identifications and safety-critical guidance.
Plant-health authorities
The official services responsible for plant health, regulated trade and biosecurity across the UK.
Government agency responsible for plant health, regulated trade and biosecurity in England and Wales.
Open resource ↗Defra and the UK Plant Health ServiceUK Plant Health Information PortalCentral official hub for plant pests, diseases, biosecurity, imports and plant passports.
Open resource ↗Scottish GovernmentSASA Plant HealthOfficial plant-health information, inspection services and contacts for Scotland.
Open resource ↗Northern Ireland governmentDAERA Plant and Tree HealthNorthern Ireland guidance on plant passports, pests, imports, exports and compliance.
Open resource ↗Forestry Commission · GOV.UKTree health legislationPlant-health controls and legal guidance for trees, wood, bark and forestry material.
Open resource ↗Import and movement rules
Start here before buying abroad, posting plants, carrying them into the UK or moving regulated material.
The current official collection for commercial plant and plant-product trade into and out of the UK.
Open resource ↗GOV.UK · Personal useBringing plants into Great BritainRules for plants carried by travellers or ordered by post for personal use in England, Scotland and Wales.
Open resource ↗Defra · Commercial importsCheck plant import rulesCommodity-specific rules and pest-risk information for commercial imports into Great Britain.
Open resource ↗APHA and Defra · GOV.UKIssue UK plant passportsWhen a UK plant passport is required, who may issue one and the records an authorised operator must keep.
Open resource ↗GOV.UK · Endangered speciesProtected plants and CITESPermit rules for protected plants, including many orchids, succulents, cycads and carnivorous plants.
Open resource ↗GOV.UK · England and WalesInvasive non-native plant rulesLegal restrictions on importing, keeping, transporting, growing or selling listed invasive plants.
Open resource ↗Societies and specialist organisations
Genuine plant societies, conservation charities and expert networks for learning, meetings and collections.
A maintained starting point for genuine UK specialist plant societies and their events.
Open resource ↗National orchid societyOrchid Society of Great BritainOrchid-growing guidance, meetings, shows, a journal and a network of affiliated local societies.
Open resource ↗UK orchid charityBritish Orchid CouncilUmbrella body connecting orchid societies, growers, botanic gardens and conservation interests.
Open resource ↗European specialist societyEuropean Aroid SocietyEuropean network for Araceae enthusiasts, research, conservation, events and the Aroid Bulletin.
Open resource ↗International specialist societyInternational Aroid SocietyGlobal aroid research and conservation society with publications and cultivar-registration resources.
Open resource ↗UK specialist charityBritish Cactus & Succulent SocietySpecialist information, local branches, events and resources for cactus and succulent growers.
Open resource ↗UK specialist charityThe Carnivorous Plant SocietyUK charity devoted to carnivorous-plant study, cultivation, conservation and member events.
Open resource ↗UK gardening charityHardy Plant SocietyLocal and specialist groups, practical plant knowledge and a conservation scheme for hardy plants.
Open resource ↗UK specialist charityAlpine Garden SocietyAlpine cultivation advice, shows, a seed exchange and conservation work.
Open resource ↗UK fern societyBritish Pteridological SocietyCultivation, science and conservation resources for ferns, horsetails, clubmosses and quillworts.
Open resource ↗UK conservation charityPlant HeritageHome of the National Plant Collections and conservation programmes for cultivated plants.
Open resource ↗Scientific botanical societyBotanical Society of Britain and IrelandWild-plant identification, recording, taxonomy and distribution across Britain and Ireland.
Open resource ↗UK conservation charityPlantlifeConservation information and action for wild plants, fungi and their habitats.
Open resource ↗UK botanical institutionRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew ScienceAuthoritative plant and fungal science, collections, names and global conservation research.
Open resource ↗Online plant communities
Public, active discussion groups for sharing plants, growing experience, identification and troubleshooting.
A broad public community for sharing houseplants, collections, growing experiences and general care questions.
Open resource ↗Reddit · Indoor gardeningr/IndoorGardenA public community about growing plants indoors, from individual houseplants to larger indoor gardens.
Open resource ↗Reddit · Plant health helpr/plantclinicA focused help community for diagnosing sick plants; posts must follow its evidence and photograph requirements.
Open resource ↗Reddit · Plant identificationr/whatsthisplantA public identification community where photographs and location details can help members suggest a plant name.
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