Speaking of clever planters (or Kickstarter projects for that matter) here is another beautiful one. Designed by Click and Grow, this foolproof self-growing system houses 9 plants in a single space-saving unit. Perfect for city dwellers with limited counter space. And the setup and upkeep are minimal: all you have to do is fill the water tank, plug the garden in and the Smart Garden 9 takes it from there. This Kickstarter campaign expires in 8 days.
This cool and helpful planter by Studio Lorier is Kickstarting (only 5 days to go). Aptly called Natural Balance, the planter demystifies and automates the watering process. The reservoir on the side supplies water to the plant gradually, so you don’t have to worry about overwatering your plants. And when the water runs out, the planter tips over to alert you. Low tech and brilliant. Watch the video after the break for details. Pledge to get yours here.
I totally missed this Kickstarter, but late is better than never, especially when cute greenery gear is concerned. The Livi planter, designed by San-Francisco based designer Hooman Koliji, looks like a gecko and sticks to any surface. The piece does not require any assembly and is ready to attach to a window (or other surfaces) in your home or office with a gentle push. Inspired by nature, Livi’s micro-suction palms are made of an innovative nanotechnology material that is able to bond with smooth surfaces repeatedly. The uses for this item are numberless. You can even use it for keeping utensils, writing tools, or other small items, if plants are not your thing. Available for preorder here.
This Kickstarter project is so incredibly cool! Lyfe is a planter, that drifts over a wooden base via magnetic levitation. Aside from being a visually stunning object, this planter helps plants by gently rotating them and ensuring 360 degrees of sunlight exposure. The rotation especially benefits Air Plants, as nutrients are absorbed by their leaves through the air, rather than the conventional root system. There are also scientific signs that magnetic fields enhance plants’ metabolism. Aside from all that, Lyfe is just a mesmerizing thing to look at. Watch the video after the break. Currently Kickstarting.
This beautiful hydroponic garden system, called Foop, has been developed by the Japanese company Barakan Design. I love how compact an unobtrusive the piece is, blending beautifully with any surroundings. And as someone who has a very curious cat, I appreciate the closure, allowing the greens grow undisturbed. The Foop garden communicates with an app on your device, allowing you to track the growing cycle of the plans and add more water as needed. Available for purchase here.
IKEA introduces its own take on the hydroponic indoor gardening idea. The KRYDDA/VÄXER series can let you grow herbs and veggies on your windowsill, with the help of a few simple tools. The process has four steps: first get the seeds started in the absorbent natural sponges, then transfer the young plants into the containers with water-resistant pumice stones, set them up under a bright light in the gardening station, and add water until your garden has grown enough for harvest. Done. I can’t wait for the product to hit the shelves. Watch the video after the break to see it in action.
It’s easy to think that if we live in a tiny space, everything in it should be tiny as well. Not necessarily true. Take this planter, for example. Bigger than an average windowsill option, it stands on the floor and does require a bit of square footage (although, if you have room for a floor plant, you’ll have enough space for this planter). Think how much you can grow in it! Designed for a wide variety of herbs, fruits, and veggies, the Glowpear planter actually makes a lot of sense for the urban gardener. And, the best part, it waters itself. Just fill the reservoir, and you’re done. Watch the videos after the break, to see the piece in action.
Here is one unorthodox way to lift your greenery off your counters – sculpturesque planters. SEED by Taeg Nishimoto of studio TN/MOS created these beautiful wall mounted objects that can hold and showcase small house plants. Inspired by river stones, the pieces are made of fast drying cast concrete using the crumpled Tyvek as the mold. Impressive as single pieces, SEED planters can also be combined into various clusters, melting the line between utility and wall art.
Here is another noteworthy Kickstarter campaign – Grasslamp. The Grasslamp is an elegant combination of a grass planter and an ambient LED light. The piece will let you grow wheatgrass without soil and fertilizers and display it beautifully inside a lighting fixture. You can also grow up to 40 different micro-greens, including wheatgrass, micro-salads and edible flowers. And if you have a cat, Grasslamp can be a nice lasting alternative to the sad disposable grass containers you buy at a pet store.
I really like this concept of a self-planting upside-down herb pot. Verdure by London based young designer Seoyeonjin Choi simplifies the indoor gardening to the point of a no-brainer. All you need to do is to insert the seeds into the soil sponge compartment and add water every now and then. The sponge will absorb just the right amount of water, and the halogen lamp will keep your herbs alive and thriving. The screen will protect the plant from any kitchen factors. And the best part, the planter can be attached to the wall or backdrop, so it doesn’t take any counter space.
