The aim of this paper is to provide a review and analysis, within the cognitive linguistic paradigm, of the role of conceptual metaphor PEOPLE ARE PLANTS in understanding the differences and similarities between cultures of Croatian and Anglo-Saxon speaking areas.The analysis starts with the conceptual metaphor PEOPLE ARE PLANTS, the existence of which is confirmed by linguistic expressions analyzed in this paper in both languages. We get a more complete framework of concepts and modes of conceptualization in Croatian and English using methods on conceptual and textual level. In this paper we identify and analyze the domains and linguistic realizations in Croatian and English from within-culture and crosscultural standpoint. The analysis of this paper is classified into eight main parts according to conceptual domains starting with PLANT domain as a domain on the superior level of categorization in relation to other domains that are analyzed in the paper: VEGETABLE, FRUIT, FLOWER. According to LIFE CYCLE OF PLANTS we formed three main domains (with corresponding subdomains): EARLY CYCLE, DEVELOPMENT, DYING, and HARMFULNESS domain as a separate domain. Through identification and comparison of conceptual and language realizations, conventionally coded linguistic expressions, motivational factors and cultural models, as well as the analysis and comparison of metaphorical and metonymic relations, the similarities and differences have been shown between cultures of Croatian and Anglo-Saxon speaking areas. With regard to axiological effect, we can say that both positive and negative connotations appeared, but the subdomains of BEHAVIOUR and CHARACTER were activated as dominant ones. According to the cognitive linguistic theory, conceptual metaphors are metaphors we live by. The conceptual metaphor (the existence of conceptual metaphor) PEOPLE ARE PLANTS indicates a common cultural model, the model of the Western tradition (as well as cultural model of the Great Chain) which leads, and points out, to the similarities between the two cultures, which is also evident in this research. Furthermore, it is also shown that affiliation to the same cultural model on a more detailed level leads to variation, respectively to differences between cultures of Croatian and Anglo-Saxon speaking areas. In this paper, on the indicative level, we marked and recognized collocations as coded linguistic expressions because the analysis showed that they affect the conceptualization in the target domain, or show the differences and/or similarities between the two cultures/languages. In our paper we addressed all grammatical forms, not just nominal examples because it indicated that many of the metaphorical uses are limited grammatically and that metaphorical linguistic expressions have different grammatical status in different languages. The paper is a preliminary study for a more detailed analysis of conceptual metaphor PEOPLE ARE PLANTS in Croatian and English within the cognitive linguistic paradigm. It can serve as a resource in further research of collocations within the Theory of Conceptual Metaphor and within the research of grammar of linguistic metaphor. Based on the results, a contribution to learning Croatian and English as foreign languages is also possible.