What is botanophobia?

What is botanophobia?

Botanophobia is an intense fear of plants. The condition is called a specific phobia (fear). Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.

People with botanophobia might believe that plants can harm people. Or they might worry that plants will evolve and overtake humans. They may think plants are toxic or infested with harmful germs. Or they may even falsely believe that plants will suck up all the oxygen.

People with botanophobia often go to great lengths to avoid plants, such as:

• Deciding where to live based on plant life.
• Refusing to go outdoors.
• Skipping educational, professional or personal activities that involve plants.

Because plants are almost everywhere, botanophobia can cause significant stress and even physical symptoms. A person with botanophobia may understand that the fear is extreme, but can’t control it.