[1][2] Later editions were published with the subtitle A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man.

[3] Peter Tompkins worked as a journalist, as well as a US military intelligence officer for the OSS in Italy during World War II.

[8] According to Galston and physiologist Clifford L. Slayman many of the claims in the book are false or unsupported by independent verification and replicable studies.

[9] Botanist Leslie Audus noted that the book is filled with nonsensical "outrageous" claims and should be regarded as fiction.

[1] The book was the basis for the 1979 documentary film of the same name,[10] directed by Walon Green and featuring a soundtrack by Stevie Wonder, later released as Journey through the Secret Life of Plants.