Evolution

[Little Rik]

The production and emission of VOCs doesn't depend on a brain or on consciousness.  In most cases they're released by default through over saturation (that's what's happening when you smell mint) and in others their release is predicate on damage to containing tissues or connected sensory tissue.  While plant behavior is interesting, it's not a mystery..there's no gap to shove a ghost into in any of it.  They serve as a better example..if we're going to compare ourselves to plants, of how we might not require "consciousness", ourselves, to achieve similar effects.  

But I guess I can't prove that plants didn't kick dogs in a previous life..so, you know..I did think of that.

Wrong once again.  

If you would have paid attention to the article you would have understood that certain reactions only happen under certain circumstances like when the grass is cut a certain smell is released.
The release of that particular smell is not happening under other different circumstances.
This clearly show that your point in which the smell is released through over saturation is a load of BS.