Last Updated on 12 July 2026 by PeteFree
James Wong AKA Botanygeek is a Ethnobotanist, Scientist, Author, Gardener and TV Presenter best known for his programme Grow Your Own Drugs.
James was born in London on 26 May 1981, his father is from Malaya and his Mother is from Wales.
He was brought up in Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo and other parts of South East Asia where his Grandmother taught him about traditional medicines.
James studied at at the University of Kent before attending the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew where he gained an MSC in Ethnobotany.
James started his Gardener television career appearing as a presenter on Gardeners’ world.
At the age of 27 James had his own highly successful television series Grow Your Own Drugs which was first shown on BBC2 in 2009 before moving to BBC1.
In the programme James would grow, forage or buy natural ingredients and make remedies at home to treat every day conditions.
It ran for 2 series as well as a Christmas special and also had books to accompany the series.
In 2010 James Wong documented his trip to Malaysia in the programme James Wong and the Malaysian Garden when he visited for inspiration for his 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden.
After winning Silver in 2009 he goes for Gold for 2010 along with his designer partner David Cubero.
kampung’, is the inspiration for his design which means ‘village or community’ but also ‘traditional and natural’.
We follow James, on his travels across the country from the City to remote areas where he meets indigenous community, who show him how they use plants for medicine and ceremony.
With just 20 days to get the garden completed in time for the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, James and David takes us through the build until Medal time!
James has also co-designed RHS medal winning gardens, winning their first Gold Medal in 2010.
James has presented a mixture of programmes from Science, Gardening, Food and Nature programmes on various Channels as well as appearing on many more.
He has been a panellist on Radio 4 Gardeners Question time as well as writing for several publications.
James Wong also teaches online indoor gardening courses and has had his own seed range.
James Wong Awards
RHS Hampton Court
2008
The Burgbad Sanctuary – Silver Medal
With David Cubero
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
2009
The Canary Islands Spa Garden – Silver Meal
With David Cubero
2010
The Tourism Malaysia Garden – Gold Medal
With David Cubero
James Wong Television Programmes
2008
Gardeners’ World
2009 – 2013
Series 1
Grow Your Own Drugs Series 2
Grow Your Own Drugs For Christmas
2010
James Wong and the Malaysian Garden
2013 – 2015
Great British Garden Revival
2015
Chelsea Flower Show
2017
The Secret of Your Food
Springwatch
James Wong Books
2009
Grow Your Own Drugs
2010
Grow Your Own Drugs: A Year With James Wong
2012
James Wong’s Homegrown Revolution
2015
RHS Grow for Flavour: Tips & Tricks to Supercharge the Flavour of Homegrown Harvests
2017
How to Eat Better: How to Shop, Store & Cook to Make Any Food a Superfood
2019
10-a-Day the Easy Way: Fuss-free Recipes & Simple Science to Transform your Health
All photographs are copyright of BBC.com
