Exotic plant shop BOTANIZE is currently holding a long-running pop-up shop until October 4th (Tuesday) at Men Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . In addition to a lineup of caudex plants and succulents with unique forms that attract viewers, new items are continuously being added to BOTANIZE's original pots. We spoke with owner Ken Yokomachi, who designed and created all of the pots himself, about the appeal and key points of the pots.

What is the caudiciform plant that Ms. Yokomachi encountered and fell in love with at first sight?

Since encountering it, my favorite caudex plant has always been the South African Euphorbia obesa. Its plump, perfectly round shape, with eight ridges radiating from the center when viewed from above, struck me as if I had been struck by the sheer beauty of its symmetry in nature. Of course, no two are exactly alike in shape or ridge configuration, and its complete uniqueness is a major part of its appeal.

Caudex plants are also translated as tuberous plants or rhizome plants. It's easiest to understand if you imagine a "tuberous root" as the kanji characters suggest; they are plants with a plump form and a few leaves protruding from it. People often ask, "Are they difficult to grow?" But they grow in dry, harsh soil and the tuberous part holds a lot of moisture, so you don't have to be too careful with watering.

The appeal of caudex plants is undoubtedly their "unique form." When we first started Botanize, it was mainly people who loved rare plants who were pleased, but recently, we've seen an increase in people who are interested in fashion and interior design, and even more so, figure collectors who have become interested in pots and are then getting hooked on plants.

Why stylish men are getting into caudex plants and potted plants

Men in their 30s and 40s, including myself, know the joy of arranging and admiring figures like Kinnikuman erasers and Gundam model kits from their childhood. As adults, they encounter caudex plants and rediscover the joy of arranging and admiring them, in addition to the joy of growing them. Collecting things is something that men tend to get hooked on, but the combination of the adorable forms of the plants with unique pots, and the enjoyment of changing pots and repotting, seems to evolve from "collecting" into a hobby.

We're holding a long-term pop-up at ISETAN MEN'S from May 11th (Wednesday) to October 4th (Tuesday), and we've seen many customers discover and become interested in Codex for the first time at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building and end up purchasing items. We can showcase a wider variety of items than in short-term pop-ups, so we're putting a lot of effort into our lineup.

This time, the "pots" are particularly popular, and a new phenomenon is occurring where people are drawn to the plants after buying the pots, saying, "I want this pot." The "GOUJIN pots" made by Goujin Nomura of Goujin Kiln in Tamba Sasayama, which were released at the end of May, have been so popular that they are being sold by lottery. We only give Mr. Nomura our wishes and the size we want, and he makes them while having fun, but the surface texture, the gold trim, and the sharp, edgy form have made each piece a unique work of art, and they are highly regarded.

Furthermore, seeing the widespread use and mass disposal of plastic pots and pallets in the gardening industry, Botanize has developed its own original "PLA POT," a pot that returns to the soil, using a material derived from corn starch. We will continue to release environmentally friendly pots that can replace petroleum-derived plastics.

During the pop-up event, a succession of new pots from Botanize will be released!

As anyone with a keen sense of fashion will understand, there's a pot that suits each plant; for example, a shallow pot is best for a plump plant, while a deep pot is ideal for a tall, slender plant. As you cherish your favorite plants, you'll find yourself wanting to change their pots, almost like dressing them up.

At Botanize's pop-up shops, we will be introducing new planters one after another. In June, we released limited editions of 10 each of planters made of brass (gold) and duralumin (silver).

The design is based on Botanize's popular triple-studded planter, and the brass version faithfully reproduces the design by carving out solid brass. Both the brass and duralumin versions come with a plate and a bangle with the stud design, and are presented in a special box. It's more of an art piece than a planter.

Both the brass and duralumin versions have the form I envisioned, and I've already received inquiries from overseas. These special gold and silver bowls were inspired by the "gold mask and silver mask" of Kinnikuman's royal succession, and represent the ultimate expression of my playful spirit.

In the future, we plan to release a design featuring all-over studs on our "PLA POT" (a pot that returns to the earth), as well as a pot decorated with studs arranged vertically.

We are developing a drip-patterned design inspired by the way paint drips, as well as honeycomb-shaped pots. Furthermore, we plan to release a larger size to accommodate larger plants, and a tray for arranging plants.

I design and create all of these pots myself, and I envision their use extending beyond repotting plants. They can be used for displays, as small storage containers, and in many other ways, depending on your ideas. I hope that not only those who love caudex plants, but also those who appreciate pottery and other types of tableware, and those interested in sustainability, will pick them up and enjoy them.

View Botanize products at Mitsukoshi Isetan Online Store

Related articles

[Feature] Adults are getting hooked on caudex plants: Ken Yokomachi of "BOTANIZE," the company that started the boom, talks about their charm and how to enjoy them.

[Feature] Astrophytum is a noteworthy plant: Caudiciform plants from "BOTANIZE" to enrich your time at home.



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＊The information in this article is current as of the time of publication. Product information may be revised or changed without notice.

Photo: ISETAN MITSUKOSHI
Text: Makoto Kajii