Caudex plants, also known as tuberous root plants, are gaining popularity year after year. Characterized by their unique forms with rugged trunks and thick roots, they have many enthusiasts. The exotic plant shop "BOTANIZE" played a key role in igniting this trend.

This time, with a pop-up store opening at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , we conducted our second interview with the owner, Ken Yokomachi, about a year ago. We spoke with him about the increased demand for his products as interior decor due to people spending more time at home, as well as the details of the pop-up store.

During the self-isolation period, I spent all my time "playing in the dirt."

──This is our first interview in about a year. Have there been any significant changes in the trends of houseplants, especially caudex plants (commonly known as caudex) and cacti, like those that Botanize handles, over the past year?

The excitement surrounding this plant has continued for the past few years, and I feel its popularity is still growing. The number of shops selling similar plants has also increased. Going forward, I think we need to come up with various strategies, including apparel and merchandise, to keep fans engaged and interested.


--Were you affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? Our last interview was right before you opened your bento shop ("TOKYO BENTO STAND" in Daikanyama).

I had expected an increase in demand for takeout, but high-end restaurants that hadn't offered takeout before have entered the market, so it hasn't been as significant as I thought. That said, I think the demand for basic "bento" (lunch boxes) will return after a while, so now is a time for patience, and I'm trying to think positively.


--Conversely, how was it for Botanize? I think many people bought interior decorations and plants during the self-isolation period to enrich their "time at home." Did you also have many customers like that at Botanize?

Many people follow us on Instagram, and items we posted there would sell out almost immediately. Also, during the lockdown, we were thinking about what interesting things we could do at Botanize, so we started doing live auctions on Instagram every Friday. The response was fantastic. Regardless of profitability, I think everyone enjoyed it, so I think it was a good initiative.

--I assume everyone has cleaned and tidied up their homes, right?

I also did some decluttering, or rather, I organized my room. I tried to get rid of as many unnecessary things as possible around me, and I started to think more about what's truly essential, and whether I really need something before buying it.


──How did you spend your time during the self-isolation period, Mr. Yokomachi?

Pots are one of our main products, so I put a potter's wheel in the office and spent a lot of time playing with clay, making pots myself. It was really fun and immersive; it might be an exaggeration to say I was "facing" the clay, but I was able to enjoy it so much that I lost track of time. I think it was only possible because I had plenty of time, so that was actually one of the good things about it. I'll be firing them to finish them, so I also bought a kiln for that purpose.

I'm obsessed with the geometric cactus, "Astrophytum".

--This will be your second pop-up shop. What would you say is the main attraction?

This time, we're featuring a cactus commonly known as "Kabutomaru," belonging to the Astrophytum genus. While it can be difficult to distinguish for those unfamiliar with them, any plant with spines is basically a type of cactus. Because it can look like a star when viewed from above, it's sometimes called a star-shaped cactus. There are many ways to appreciate it, but it looks especially cool when photographed from directly above.

—Kabutomaru, that's a charming name, isn't it? What is the appeal of Astrophytum?

Originally, caudex plants take a long time to grow, which contributes to their rarity. Astrophytum plants are given different names depending on their appearance, such as Super Kabuto, Miracle Kabuto, and Zebra. The more white spots called spines there are, the whiter they become, and the rarer they become.



Also, while a basic mountain has eight ridges, if it has ten, or conversely, fewer, such as five ridges, it is considered quite rare.

--It seems that Astrophytum has a passionate following.

They have many fans, and there's even an Instagram account called "Astro Boys Club." This pop-up shop will also feature T-shirts and keychains created in collaboration with "Astro Boys Club."


By the way, the icon is a razor blade. What this is for is that to make Astrophytum asterias grow faster, grafting is done, and at that time, the tip of another cactus is sharpened like a pencil with a razor blade, and then the Astrophytum asterias is placed on top of it. Razors are an important item for Astrophytum enthusiasts.

--In our last interview , you mentioned that pots are an important element. This time, some of the pots you've made yourself are featured...


If there is one, it will be next time (laughs). This time, one of the highlights is the pots we collaborated on with Konect, which is very popular at Botanize. We will be bringing our best-selling items, such as those with crackle patterns and those featuring the box logo. Many of these items sell out immediately when they are put on the online store, so we hope you will keep an eye out for them.


Also, ceramics by Hong Kong artist Scott Chan are a special item. Scott Chan is an artist famous for incorporating art into receipts, and he will be exhibiting pots that are ceramic reproductions of the collaborative sneakers between Botanize and Vans. He will also be bringing T-shirts printed with the design. The body of the T-shirt is woven with Cordura nylon, making it a durable piece. Of course, we will continue to offer our standard caudex plants such as euphorbia.

──Finally, could you tell us again about your enthusiasm for this pop-up store and what its highlights are?

While rarity is important, both euphorbias and astrophytums are plants. Ultimately, the joy of growing them is paramount. Astrophytums, in particular, show relatively clear growth, so you can feel a sense of attachment to them as you nurture them. Many of them are quite expensive, but that's precisely why you want to cherish them. I hope this will encourage you to buy one and discover the joy of growing them. Of course, enthusiasts are also very welcome. I'll be bringing plenty of rare species that I've been saving (laughs).