What’s the most common plant in the world? Humans are responsible for the surprising answer

While there are hundreds of thousands of known plant species across the globe, some are bound to be more common than others.

Whether they've adapted in particularly ingenious ways, or have thrived due to human influence, there are plenty of contenders for the title. We take a look at some of the most common plants in the world.

What's the most common plant?

The most common plant in the world is likely to be one of the many species of grass that humans have cultivated as a source of food.

Of these, wheat occupies the greatest area – about a 70th of the planet’s land surface, or more than two million square kilometres. A wheat field contains about 150 plants per square metre, which scales up to a population of perhaps 300 trillion plants globally.

Bracken might also be a likely candidate. This familiar fern, native to European and northern Asian woodlands, has been spread by humans and now thrives on all continents except Antarctica (although some plants do survive there), and in a variety of habitats.

Discover more

What’s the most common plant in the world? Humans are responsible for the surprising answer