Puffer Plant (Predator: Badlands)

In-Universe Details
Homeworld	Genna
Size	Small ground-flora
Abilities	Paralytic Mist, Projectile Needles, Explosive Reaction
Weakness	Impact, Fire (Causes rapid explosion)
Diet	Photosynthetic
Production Details
Appears In	Predator: Badlands (2025)
Created By	Weta FX

The Puffer Plants are volatile flora present on the planet Genna that emit a pink mist and expel paralysing needles when disturbed. They appear in the 2025 film, Predator: Badlands.

Appearance and Biology

The Puffer Plants are ground-level flora, black with purple areas. They grow tall and look like a pine cone. Their surface is rubbery, with sharp needles protruding from the segmented ‘bumps.’ When a creature approaches one, the plant expands, causing these sharp needles to fully emerge from its body.

If they are further disturbed or hit by something, they expel all their needles, whilst releasing a pink mist that contains a paralytic agent. The plant immediately retracts after this discharge and readies a new supply of needles.

The Puffer Plants can also survive for a period of time after being detached from their roots. Dek was able to remove one from its root system and use it later in a trap.

Role in Predator: Badlands

The Field Trap

Dek comes across a field populated with Puffer Plants. The flora begins to react as he gets closer. He sees the Weyland-Yutani synthetic Thia high up, trapped in a Vulture‘s nest, and she tries to warn him about the plants. The Vulture deliberately drops a rock into the field, causing several Puffer Plants to explode. Despite running, Dek is hit by a needle and paralysed. He manages to throw Thia his shuriken, which she uses to free herself from the nest.

Weaponised in the Base Assault

Later in the film, Dek recovers a Puffer Plant from the field, using a cover to prevent it from exploding. During his attack on the Weyland-Yutani base, Dek sets a complex trap using the plant: he attaches many explosive worms around the needles, effectively turning the plant into a landmine. When the Weyland-Yutani synthetics approach, the Spray Snake (Squirt) on Dek’s shoulder spits corrosive acid at the Puffer Plant, causing it to explode and fire the explosive-wrapped needles at the synthetics, destroying them.

Abilities

• Defence: The plant expands and readies its needles when it detects nearby movement.

• Projectile Needles: Fires needles upon impact, which deliver a paralysing agent.

Behind The Scenes

The Puffer Plants were brought to life by Weta FX, who also designed other key creatures and environmental effects for the film.