Not all of us have the capacity and dedication to maintain a lush indoor garden, and that’s OK. Tending for plants doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and the success of a plant’s livelihood in your home can come down to a number of factors that have very little to do with you and your black thumb, like lack of light, humidity and airflow.
While you can look to hardier varieties like succulents, snake plants and the near-indestructible ‘ZZ’ plant, we wouldn’t blame you if you instead opted for fake plants — with such great dupes available, both you and your guests will barely even notice your monstera made out of plastic.
Now though, there’s an even cooler alternative that both looks great and provides hours of fun at the same time. LEGO has launched a handful of new botanical LEGO sets, that are designed for mindful adult play to be later displayed as an art piece in your home.
First up, we have the LEGO Creator Expert Flower Bouquet. The 756-piece set is snapped together to create an impressive bouquet of wild blooms that have been inspired by real flowers, like roses, snapdragons, poppies, asters, daisies and grasses.
Both the stems and the petals themselves are somewhat flexible, so you can compose your bouquet in a free and personalised arrangement.
“Whether you’re treating a loved one, or are looking for your next creative project, this flower bouquet model building kit lets you relax, unplug and create something wonderful. When complete, the impressive flower display brings a touch of fun and colour to any room,” LEGO says of the product. The LEGO Flower Bouquet is available now to purchase at the LEGO online store for $89.99 and at Big W for $89.
The second set in the botanical collection is the LEGO Creator Expert Bonsai Tree. While compact in its finished size, this one is comprised of 878 pieces, that once assembled, create a stunning, calming Bonsai tree inspired by those of Japan.
“The art of Bonsai has captured the imaginations of tree lovers for centuries. Enjoy a sense of calm as you carefully shape the bonsai tree model with either green leaves or pink cherry blossoms. When you’re ready for a change, it’s easy to swap the coloured crowns to create a totally new look,” LEGO says.
The LEGO Bonsai Tree comes with a rectangular pot and slatted wood-look stand for its proud display in your home. Depending on the season, you can enjoy swapping out the foliage to leafy green or pale pink cherry blossoms, which if you look closely, are actually tiny little frogs.
Sold out on the LEGO online store, the Bonsai Tree is available at Big W for $89.
This collection is special in more ways than one. First, and in keeping with the plant theme, the Botanical Collection uses a plant-based plastic, produced using sustainably sourced sugarcane.
Second, it’s designed not for kids, but for adults over 18 who may be looking for a mindful way to relax and unwind. The collection was thought out following the 2020 Play Well Study, which found that 70% of adults are researching new ways to distress, while 80% cited play as a way of relaxing.
“As adults look for new ways to switch off and relax, we’re delighted to be able to help them seek solace from their busy everyday lives as they immerse themselves in creating these beautiful botanical builds,” says Jamie Berard, design lead at the LEGO Group.
“The customisable elements and mindful building experience will hopefully help them express their personality as their creativity blossoms.”