Monty Don, the beloved presenter of Gardeners’ World, has once again captured the public’s imagination — but this time, it’s not just for his horticultural expertise. In a candid interview on the RHS YouTube channel, Monty revealed the one plant he simply cannot live without, the edible treasure that he eats every single day of his life. And the story behind it is as revealing as it is symbolic.
Celebrating his 70th birthday last July, Monty reflected on a lifetime surrounded by gardens, soil, and seeds. When asked which three plants he would take to a desert island, he paused. Two choices were obvious, but the third had to be edible. It came down to either a perfectly ripened Bon Chrétien pear or a variety of lettuce that has become a daily ritual for him: Parris Island Cos, a form of romaine beloved for its crisp texture and rich nutritional content.
“It has to be something edible,” Monty said, voice full of warmth and conviction. “It sounds really weird, but it’s just a really good lettuce. Because I eat lettuce every day of my life. I love all the different varieties that come in season, and there’s something deeply sensuous about knowing you’ve sown the seed, grown it, and are now enjoying it on your plate.”
This isn’t just about food. For Monty, it is a connection to life itself — a reminder of the cycles of nature, the reward of patience, and the profound satisfaction of self-sufficiency. Parris Island Cos is not only delicious, but packed with vitamins A, K, and C, folate, and dietary fiber, making it a true powerhouse of nutrition — and, for Monty, a cornerstone of health and longevity.
But Monty’s story isn’t only about gardening or nutrition. Behind his calm demeanor and gentle voice lies decades of struggle, determination, and resilience. In the early 1990s, financial pressures forced him to consider a career in television. An invitation to audition for This Morning offered him just £300 — a sum that could provide a roof over his family’s heads and food on the table. Television was never his goal, yet necessity pushed him into a path that would transform his life.
“I certainly never intended to do television,” Monty confessed. “I only agreed because we were broke and needed the money. If people were prepared to pay me to do something I knew I could do, great. I’ll take it. It wasn’t until much later that I could say, ‘I’m doing this because I want to.’”
That decision marked the beginning of a legendary career, one that saw Monty travel across the globe, sharing his love of plants and gardening with millions. Today, he is rightly regarded as a National Treasure — a man whose influence stretches far beyond the borders of his Longmeadow garden, where Gardeners’ World is filmed.
Yet even with fame and recognition, Monty’s daily life remains rooted in the simple pleasures and rituals that have always defined him. Tending his plants, walking his dogs, and harvesting the produce he loves are not just hobbies — they are lifelines, grounding him and reminding him of what truly matters.
“The pear or the lettuce?” Monty joked when asked about his desert island choices. “I’d take the lettuce. Because it’s something I can eat every day, and it makes life better — not just because of the taste, but because of the story behind it, the growing, the nurturing. That’s what keeps me going.”
As Monty Don continues to inspire a generation of gardeners, his confession resonates far beyond horticulture. It is a story about survival, gratitude, and the extraordinary power of everyday rituals. From a £300 audition to a national treasure, from seed to plate, Monty’s life is a vivid testament to resilience, dedication, and the beauty found in life’s simplest acts.
And for Monty, every crisp leaf of Parris Island Cos is a reminder: growth, patience, and love for what you do — however humble — can cultivate a life that flourishes in ways even he could never have imagined.
