A lot has been said about space limitations we face with urban gardening. But even if you have it all figured out with vertical systems and compact planter designs, there is still one more item you need to find room for – a watering can. It needs to be easy to store while holding enough water for your indoor jungle. This watering can by Japanese designer Kazuya Washio might just fit the bill. Called Bloccon (‘block’ + ‘icon’), the piece has a square lego-like shape, which allows us to fit it in tight spaces. You can even put it between your books! It is ergonomic too. The spout designed to produce controlled and steady flow of water. And its compact handle makes it easy to rotate while reaching those high up vertical planters. The product comes in a variety of colors and can be purchased here.
Indoor gardening in a tiny city apartment is mostly a victory of hope over reality. The counter and windowsill real estate is just too scarce. That is why designers try to help us, urban folks, to build vertically and elevate our plants and our gardening spirit. This smart concept by Emanuela Stocco, called Orto Novo, is a soaring example. The system is comprised of interlocking modules that can make up a structure as high and wide as your space would allow. The planters, placed inside the loops, hold the system together. Made from powder coated aluminum, Orto Novo can come in a variety of colors.
Cara De Planta is a modular vertical garden system comprised of series of waterproof pockets. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces (assuming you are lucky enough to have both), these modular segments are easy to install. And because they are stain and drip free – there is no worry that they can mess up your designer wall paint. Each pocket can expand to allow maximum space for roots to develop; and thanks to the clever flap – you can combine different plants in one unit. Finally, with the fully incorporated air-pruning system, even an inexperienced gardener can be confident that Cara De Planta will yield results.
Even in the absence of space and green thumb, there is still hope for growing an urban herb garden. This planter, created by two Dutch designers Nathan Wierink and Tineke Beunders is completely fool-proof. It can be attached right to the window via suction cups. The pots are transparent to allow maximum sunlight. What a clever idea!
Domenic Fiorello‘s Plant Pods are a great way to grow and display your succulents without cluttering any horizontal surfaces in your home. Stylish and minimalistic, these planters can be purchased in groups and create various combinations on the wall. Designed specifically for small plants like cacti, these shelves can be a great solution for someone who has no space or gardening talent for more elaborate greenery. Plant Pods are made of white oak and ABS plastic.
Dual function can be a useful thing. It can also be a fun thing. And in some cases it can be utterly adorable. Take this chair from Martín Azúa. Called Inner Life, it is designed to ‘harbor life of both vegetal and animalistic character.’ This project is a continuation of Azúa’s long-term research dedicated to visualizing the natural origin of everything that surrounds us. With the Inner Life chair he claims an integration of natural processes in everyday life, life inside objects…
Eco-conscious urban gardeners – rejoice! Here is a product in which recycling meets hydroponics in one compact package. Grow Bottles is a smart invention by Potting Shed Creations, that will allow you to grow fresh culinary herbs and enjoy the sustainable design at the same time. Made from reclaimed wine bottles, the package includes everything you need to start your gardening project. The idea is simple – each bottle is sliced horizontally; the top part, filled with seeds and clay pebbles, sits inside the bottom part, which in turn holds water. The water reaches the seeds through a ribbon, made from recycled plastic bottles. Grow Bottles are available in five varieties – oregano, chives, basil, parsley, and mint. Already beautifully packaged, they make a great gift too.
This unusual pot is a collaborative effort of designer Godefroy de Virieu and landscapers Virgile Desurmont and Louis de Fleurieu, who found an alternative solution to bulky planters. A flexible pot, called Sac by Sac, is weightless, durable and can be used both inside the apartment, on a balcony or in a garden (if you are lucky to have one). The innovative material – a double layered geotextile with an Anti-uv and Antifrost treatment – has the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain; perfect for the plants and 100% recyclable. Fun and nature-friendly in all senses of the word, Sac by Sac is available for purchase at Matteria.
Nature-loving bookworms – rejoice! You can now bookmark your favorite passages and make your place appear greener at the same time. The Green Marker from Yuruliku creates the effect of grass, springing directly from your books. Just keep adding these blades to your library and see your bookshelves transform into a beautiful and lively sight. And if your ‘grass’ becomes too long or bushy – you can simply trim it with scissors. This design is perfect for those who appreciate greenery but have no space, time or gardening skills.
We, shoebox dwellers, know that growing plants in tiny urban apartments can be challenging. Plants need light and space, and even if you have a windowsill – its precious real estate is most likely occupied with other things. But don’t let that discourage you! Sky Planter from Fire Escape Farms offeres a great solution. It allows to turn your plants upside down and hang them off your ceiling. A locking disc holds the soil and plant in place, and an innovative reservoir system conserves water by 80% and gradually hydrates the plant’s roots. There you have it – simple, beautiful, zero conter space infringement… Sky Planter is made from ceramic with stainless steel wire and comes in two sizes.
