The idea that mankind has mastered nature is not entirely true. Sure, we have changed the world irrevocably for the better (or worse), but nature was here before we were and it will be after we’re gone. Just ask these 25 plants that have thrived in spite of every manner of hardship, be it man-made or elemental.

We recently wrote a post about trees winning their fight against concrete, but they’re not the only ones that can thrive in seemingly impossible. Though grasses or weed like the ones in some of these pictures can seem weak, they can expose cracks and weaknesses in construction materials to their advantage and see the light of day once again. And even deserts, some of the world’s harshest climates, can host thriving plant populations if you know where (or when) to look. Life, uh, finds a way. If you have any awesome pictures of plants thriving in difficult or improbable areas, share them with us below!

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P.S. We always try our best to credit each and every photographer, but sometimes it’s impossible to track some of them. Please contact us if you know the missing authors.