Cate Blanchett, renowned Hollywood actress and multiple award-winner, has recently embarked on an unexpected journey far removed from the glamour of film sets and red carpets. She has developed a deep fascination with the natural world, particularly focusing on something as humble and unassuming as seeds. This newfound passion has led her to become closely involved with the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) at Wakehurst botanic garden in Sussex, a global conservation project dedicated to preserving plant biodiversity.
Blanchett’s interest in seeds is rooted in her Australian heritage. She speaks animatedly about the banksia, a native Australian plant with a striking seed pod that only releases its seeds under extreme heat conditions, such as those caused by wildfires. “It’s quite a brutal looking seed pod that only releases its seed in extremely high temperatures,” she explains. “It does look like a cross between a mallet and a toilet brush. So they’re not always pretty, but yet what comes out of them is so spectacular.” Her enthusiasm reveals a genuine respect for the resilience and complexity of nature’s designs, far beyond their aesthetic appeal.
The actress’s connection with the seed bank began serendipitously when she discovered Wakehurst, an area she describes as a place that “regenerates” her simply by being immersed in its natural beauty. Living locally, she was drawn to the MSB’s work as it marked its 25th anniversary. “I literally had my mind blown by the work that goes on here,” she says. “Anything I can do to be connected to it, I found it so inspiring.”
The Millennium Seed Bank is a remarkable global endeavor that houses over 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 wild plant species worldwide. These seeds, varying widely in shape, size, and color, undergo meticulous processing before being dried and stored at a freezing -20°C to preserve their viability for the long term. The project was inaugurated in 2000 by then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, who remains actively engaged with the initiative. He recently participated in a special podcast episode titled *Unearthed: The Need For Seeds*, co-hosted by Blanchett, where he voiced concerns about the accelerating loss of plant species due to environmental degradation.
“I know how absolutely critical it all is, and the destruction of rainforests, the extinction of endless species, which have very likely remarkable properties,” the King remarked during the podcast, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Initially envisioned as a “doomsday vault” intended to safeguard seeds in the event of catastrophic biodiversity loss, the MSB’s role has evolved significantly over the past quarter-century. Today, the focus is as much on restoration as on preservation. Dr. Elinor Breman, a scientist at the MSB who has guided Blanchett through the facility, explains that the seed bank serves as a “safe space” for seeds until they can be reintroduced into threatened habitats where they can flourish once again.
One notable example of this restoration work is taking place on the South Downs in England, where a special blend of seeds from the bank is being used to revive rare chalk grasslands. Such efforts are replicated across diverse ecosystems worldwide. “We’ve been to every kind of habitat, from sea level to about 5,000 meters, and from pole to pole—literally,” Dr. Breman notes. The MSB’s projects span tropical forests, dry deciduous forests, grasslands, steppes, and more, with the goal of helping communities and conservationists restore native plant populations globally.
The importance of the seed bank resonates deeply with Blanchett, especially given the devastating wildfires that swept across Australia in 2019. The MSB holds seeds from nearly 9,000 Australian plant species, providing an invaluable “insurance policy” against the increasingly severe impact of climate change and habitat destruction. “Knowing that insurance policy exists is of great solace to me,” she admits, highlighting the emotional connection she feels to the project.
As an ambassador for Wakehurst and the MSB, Blanchett has had the opportunity to get hands-on with the seeds herself. “Have I got dirt under my fingernails? Well, I’m trying to turn my brown thumbs green,” she jokes. Living in Sussex has nurtured her interest in gardening, and she has eagerly absorbed knowledge about seed storage and management. “My seed management has definitely, definitely improved,” she adds with a laugh.