Review: 10309 Succulents
Posted by Huw,Cacti and other succulents are among the most fascinating and varied family of plants. Many are easy to grow and maintain which makes them popular houseplants.
10309 Succulents captures their beauty and variety with nine different examples that leverage interesting techniques, new pieces and recolours to create an eye-catching and beautiful model.
Summary
10309 Succulents, 771 pieces.
£44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 | 5.8p/6.5c/6.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Another attractive addition to the botanical collection
- Clever parts usage
- Good variety of plants
- Easy to rearrange
- Square pots
- No grit on the tops of the pots
- Too colourful?
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The set arrived while I was on holiday last month and when I returned I was so eager to start building it that I forgot to take photos of the bags of parts. So, sorry about that. Suffice to say, though, that they are packed in bags numbered one to three, with each bag supplying parts for three plants. There are also three instruction manuals thus facilitating concurrent building with others should you wish.
The set was designed by Anderson Grubb who hails from southern California where succulents thrive in the dry arid environment.
The completed model consists of nine plants each in individual square pots that are connected together with Technic axles. They can be rearranged as you see fit, although it can be tricky to get them all to tessellate neatly in arrangements other than in the order shown.
In all but one case the instructions provide the names of the real plants that inspired the designs. I'll list them when looking at the individual plants below.
The pots are 6x6 studs square and are connected together in a diagonal fashion which helps prevent the plants' leaves from interfering with each other, and also forms an attractive arrangement.
The pots, held together with technic axles, can be separated easily, rearranged, or displayed individually.
The first plant to be built is an aloe, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The instructions state that Cleopatra used the plant's gel on her body which implies that this is most likely an aloe vera.
The thick fleshy leaves are created using 15362 CLAW 7 MODULES WITH CROSS AXLE and a smaller claw piece which is new in sand green.
Next to be built is an orange echeveria, the first of three of the genus that are native to North America in the set.
The larger leaves are a new element, 6400434, which is like a pointed 33 degree ridge slope, with a downwards curve towards the pointed end.
The instructions refer to the third variety as 'hens and chicks' which is common name given to a number of succulents that propagate by offsets, producing lots of smaller plants around the main 'hen' plant. There are no offsets on this example, but nevertheless it looks spectacular made from five shades of green pieces.
Like many of the plants it's built around a sand green octagonal 75937 PARABOLIC RING.
This one is not named but is notable for utilising four green forestman hats for the leaves. It can be lifted out of the pot and the space below used for storing spare 2-long connecting axles.
This is a Sedum morganianum, or Burro's tail, and as you can see it consists of a large number of eggs, new in spring yellowish green, which are held in place at an angle using green 65578 HANDLE, NO. 1.
This is said to be a lavender echevaria but out of the nine it's the one that least resembles the real plant. However, it does introduce the Stormtrooper shoulder pad, 21560 SHOULDER SHELL W.3.20 CONNECTOR, in a new colour.
This colourful spherical specimen is a 'moon cactus', or more accurately a mutant strain of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii that lacks chlorophyll, and thus the means to survive independently. They are therefore grafted onto a sturdy host cactus, often a hylocereus, that provides it with the nutrients it requires. They come in a variety of colours including red, orange, yellow and pink. This one is made using vibrant coral pieces.
The spikes of the hylocereus are 68211 PLANT, W/ 3.2 SHAFT, NO. 3, a relatively new piece, that does the job adequately.
The second and final cacti in the set is referred to as a ball cactus, a name given to several species, including Parodia magnificat, although that particular one bears yellow flowers. They typically have prominent ribs, which have been effectively formed here using eight 30936 CLAW, W/ 3.2 SNAP connected to a parabolic ring.
Finally, this one is a red echeveria. It's the largest of the nine, and it looks spectacular. The dark red looks spot-on, and it adds contrast and interest to the collection, much like the real plant.
Six-leaved plants are more of a challenge to build compared to those with eight, which can use the aforementioned parabolic ring as a starting point. This one is built around two stacked 49750 WEDGE-BELT WHEEL Ø24 and six 62885 SUBMACHINE GUN Ø3.2 SHAFTs!
Verdict
This is an eye-catching and very attractive model. All except one of the plants look exquisite and realistic, although perhaps not quite as life-like as the orchid. I'm not that keen on the lavender one in the middle, though: it doesn't look right, and I think it adds one colour too many to the display.
The way the pots connect allowing rearrangement, or for the plants to be displayed separately, is clever, although I think it's more typical to cultivate them in round pots, either individually in small ones, or several plants together in a larger one. I'd have liked some grit on the tops of them, 1x1 round tiles perhaps, because in a few cases the base is too visible.
Minor niggles aside, it's another superb addition to the botanical collection which in short time has become one of LEGO's most creative and interesting product lines that showcases just what's possible with the brick.
It will be available at LEGO.com from May 1st, and if you're in North America it can be pre-ordered now for delivery in time for Mother's Day.
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64 comments on this article
From experience succulents are also easy to kill, so these might be just the ticket! Would have preferred rounded white pots though. Good variety and interesting build techniques.
Well machine guns are about to get a lot cheaper on BrickLink!
"Too colorful" - nonsense poopypants!
The succulents I have are all in square pots, so its not a negative, its a space saver.
This is by far my absolute favorite of all the lego plants series. The very second I saw it, I preordered it (along with the beautiful orchid). The colors on these succulents are breathtaking and on point, the square pots are very desirable not only because that’s how I’ve bought the real succulents but they also connect to make a large set that can be displayed nicely, and it’s so cool that the elements here look so realistic! I’m starstruck. I’ve never been more in awe of a lego set (except for the NES/TV one!).
It doesn't look a lot like LEGO to me. Many of the pieces used are so specific that it looks a little generic.
My too colourful? question was prompted by the fact that 90% of succulents are shades of green, perhaps with a tinge of purple or whatever, but that's not the case here.
Agreed that being too colourful is a strange criticism. If anything that purple one in the middle and the splashes of colour throughout really make the set ‘pop’.
I do think it could do with some grit as mentioned though. Definitely needs some 1x1 rounds in there.
@Huw said:
"My too colourful? question was prompted by the fact that 90% of succulents are shades of green, perhaps with a tinge of purple or whatever, but that's not the case here."
In terms of accuracy, 'too colourful' is a fair criticism. Owning a few dozen different succulents, yes the majority are shades of green, though alot of mine have touches of yellow and white.
As a set though, I'd say no. If they'd gone realistic we'd just have a set that was 90% green blob which'd make for a not very interesting display, and a set that'd warm shelves as it'd be less appealing to buy.
That said though, as well done as this set is, I much prefer the real things.
@GrizBe, thank you.
I find it midly amusing that we are usually criticised for being too positive in our reviews, then the moment I point out what I think is a minor negative I'm called out for it :)
If you'd told me there was a Lego set that included recolored constraction Stormtrooper armor, Forestmen hats, and semiautomatic pistols before I read this review, I would not have guessed it was a Botanical Collection set. Although I did already know about the hats.
Would be better is they were made with the plant plastic that he pretty cool plants for a plants set haha
haha, no grit on top is a positive for me! I dropped my Bird of Paradise weeks ago and still haven't finished picking up al the 1x1 round plates!
I have purchased many succulents over the years. Yes, they are mostly various shades of green but I would have bought these more colourful ones if they were there for purchasing.
These definitely lack the “optical illusion” quality of the orchid, but I don’t mind. It’s a very attractive model with a lot of different options for display.
My main nit is the Technic holes in the side of the pots, but this could be passed off as a design element of the pot itself. I also have to imagine it’s not super noticeable unless the set is more or less at eye level.
Pre-ordered these along with the orchid - I really love the whole Botanical line and concept and I’d love to seee them keep on with it!
Such a lovely set in just about every way, including the colours, even the price seems fair (except in Sweden and our Nordic neighbours as usual), easily my favourite in the Botanical collection and may well be the first I get.
I got delayed preordering over the weekend due to Easter, and looks like the preorder option is gone this morning. Gah. I will grab these at some point down the road.
This set also seems like a gold mine for builders who excel in NPU.
Yellowy green eggs?! Lavender Stormtrooper pauldrons?! Dark red, olive green, sand... orange? Too many interesting things going on here to count.
I wonder if the difference of opinion regarding the colorful-ness level may be regional. Here in the southwest U.S., succulents come in a wide variety of colors, and this set looks as would be expected
Square pots are a clever design which allows multiple combinations. That’s a positive aspect of this Set allowing for future additions (“Succulents 2” for example).
Indeed. The plants should be black or very very dark grey.
The review has definitely sold me on the set! I don't remember it being mentioned in the flower bouquet review, but does the flower bouquet have multiple instruction booklets? I'm debating between getting this or the flower bouquet to build with my best friend. Although I may go for a third option(her sigfigs and roses or sunflowers).
@PhantomBricks said:
"The review has definitely sold me on the set! I don't remember it being mentioned in the flower bouquet review, but does the flower bouquet have multiple instruction booklets?"
No it doesn't. Just the one booklet.
Great review and another definite purchase!
@PhantomBricks The 10280 Flower Bouquet, at least here in the UK, only came with a single manual. You could always download the manual from the LEGO website to an iPad or laptop so your friend could build with you?
Great build and nice part use.
And lazy lego to lame to make some forestmen hats for castle in the forest but for some flowers they are willing to make them.
@Huw said:
" @GrizBe, thank you.
I find it midly amusing that we are usually criticised for being too positive in our reviews, then the moment I point out what I think is a minor negative I'm called out for it :)"
Mildly amusing or wildly irritating?
Some times, it has to do with the choice of words: too colourful versus 'unrealistic colours'; then again, you'd get hit for that too! Very good reviews as always - thanks.
There will always be someone to absolutely love what you particularly don't like - and vice-versa.
@Bricking_it__ said:
"From experience succulents are also easy to kill, so these might be just the ticket! Would have preferred rounded white pots though. Good variety and interesting build techniques. "
I'm surprised you say that considering that is why most people buy succulents, because they are hard to kill. You can forget all about them and they still survive (in my experience). *shrug*
Thanks for the review. They look better individually with this vs in the large combination. I can see them easier and how they resemble the real thing better. I was torn on getting the set, but after the review I think I will pick it up after all.
I think the lavender plant actually looks good, but when comparing to the real thing should be opened up a bit more. Color looks fine overall since the pieces themselves aren't gradients of color. But it looks like it needs to be a bit more bloomed for it to resemble it perfectly.
@watcher21 said:
"Great build and nice part use.
And lazy lego to lame to make some forestmen hats for castle in the forest but for some flowers they are willing to make them."
The scale of need parts between a 10000 copy limited release (intended to be 5000) and a proper set with likely 10+x that amount made would be why.
Makes Lego neither Lame nor Lazy, just not wanting to go nearly bankrupt again ;)
This is a super cool set, much more interesting than the other botanical sets.
Also, in the context of the star wars sets, this is a perfectly reasonable price for a 771-piece set which is mostly full of tiny pieces. More than reasonable, since the tiny pieces in this set are much more interesting and useful than 200 transparent green 1x1 tiles and 200 green 1x1 plates.
An excellent review! Im not much of a plant person but throughout my life Ive had a strange fascination with these little plants, along with Bonsai. Anyways great review and thanks for the new word: tessellate
SAND BLUE QUARTER ROUND TILES!!!!!
I like the color criticism, but at the same time I'm actually fonder of this version of the set as I am of the Ideas projects which only use green. I'm somewhat hoping they'll do a second set to connect with this one and while I expect green to be dominant, those other colors are really a good highlight, even if not quite as realistic!
Maybe not quite as clever as the demogorgon heads in the orchids but I love the inventive part use; always happy to see forestmen references even if their hats are supposed to be leaves!
Huw, what happened to your cat? Or is your household’s vacuum cleaner broken? ;-)
Great review! :-) I’ve enjoyed it, as always.
Beautiful, I could tell from the images, but it’s even better upon finding out the red succulent’s secret— it conceals and carries! Six pistols in one set is an absolute steal with how rare they are nowadays, which is to say nothing of all the other genius building techniques and breathtaking colors.
@TheLegoFan: As @PurpleDave said in the comments when this and the orchid were revealed, the plant-based plastic is only used for softer pieces, of which there don't seem to be any in this set.
Spare us the subjectivity of the "too colourful" negative comment...
Another stunning set. Really looking forward to picking up a couple on May 1st.
Anyone worried that these might be a bit too colourful, just google 'colourful succulents' and these start to look quite tame!
@TheOtherMike said:
" @TheLegoFan: As @PurpleDave said in the comments when this and the orchid were revealed, the plant-based plastic is only used for softer pieces, of which there don't seem to be any in this set."
I believe there are in fact a few polyethylene parts in this set — namely the Sand Green 2x7 claw pieces (https://brickset.com/parts/design-15362) and the Brick Yellow short stem/Minion hair pieces (https://brickset.com/parts/design-68211)! So those are presumably plant derived, as with all other new polyethylene parts.
But you're correct that the remainder of the parts (in either hard or rubbery plastic) are still fossil fuel derived — considering all the money LEGO has put into their sustainable materials initiative, they'll be sure to make a big announcement when they have plant-based alternatives to those ready to roll out in actual sets.
My wife and I have been growing succulents as of last year. Contrary to what I hear online a lot (even among the comments here), succulents are not difficult to grow and keep alive. Put them in proper soil, water them infrequently, and give them a good amount of natural light. I'm excited for this set. Although, I think I will try modifying them to sit in real pots. I've always preferred the approach Lego took with the flower bouquet needing a real flower vase.
@Aanchir: I didn't think about the claw pieces, those are fairly soft. And I don't have any of the Minion hair pieces, so have no experience of their texture.
Outstanding review. Awesome to get the takeaway from someone who knows LEGO so well and also knows a lot about the plants themselves. Adds a perspective otherwise unavailable to me.
I like the Technic pins and some ability to mix and match and move stuff around. There’s a lot of potential for customization and garden building.
Funny thing for me is…having a plastic garden? I’m ALL IN. But the real thing? No way. Those poor plants would be running for their lives…
@Huw said:
" @PhantomBricks said:
"The review has definitely sold me on the set! I don't remember it being mentioned in the flower bouquet review, but does the flower bouquet have multiple instruction booklets?"
No it doesn't. Just the one booklet."
Thank you, Huw!
@Huw said:
" @GrizBe , thank you.
I find it midly amusing that we are usually criticised for being too positive in our reviews, then the moment I point out what I think is a minor negative I'm called out for it :)"
Absolutely correct! You can only please half the people half the time.
Great review. I really appreciate getting the honest opinions of BS reviewers regardless of pejorative attitude and whether or not I agree with it. To me, it is obvious thay you guys take your craft seriously, and that is what matters.
That said, I find it interesting that I disagree with both Huw and Cap'n in some of the recent reviews. Huw finds these plants too colorful as CR does with purple troopers. I disagree. I guess I find myself in springtime looking for more color in my life! ;)
BTW, I agree with the other commentors who remarked that these colors are not unusual in our part of the world. I've seen much more garish shades in our plant stores. Succulents are amazing.
I'm really tempted to get this!
Something's just occurred to me about the red echeveria. Are those pistols... or pistils?
The use of eggs on that one plant is brilliant, much like the frogs on last year's Bonsai (which I finally got around to building last night)
Surprised we haven't got a CCBS set since what 2018? 2019? Yet some CCBS blades and shells pop up here. When's the last time a CCBS bone popped up? Have those been retired yet?
I feel the need to transplant them from their black boxes to terra cotta (dk org?) pots. Nice plant choices, the lavender one is my favorite, just based on the color alone.
I like all these flower sets well enough (this probably least as I 'm not a fan of real life succulents - although one of my friend's entire garden is succulents and my favourite in this theme is the orchid), but I don't really understand them to be honest. They look great, but so do real plants - and I much prefer a ship - flag or space.
I suspect I'm not the target market.
@bamaker:
Climate and availability probably make a difference. In Michigan, I mostly see shades of green with hints of purple when I’m shopping at various supermarkets. I imagine a lot of what’s native to your area wouldn’t survive a Michigan winter outdoors, and anything like that might only be found at specialist nurseries. Getting outside the US, you have to deal with import fees and paperwork to have them shipped directly, or you have to start cultivating them locally. The former is going to make them more expensive, and the latter is entirely dependent on local demand. If green with hints of purple sells best, that might be all many regions have available.
If a range of colors such as this is easy to find where you live, count yourself lucky. Before she passed, one of my mom’s cousins had a house up on a hillside in San Diego, which she’d landscaped entirely with indigenous plants. It was a nice change from the grass/shrubs/trees formula I usually see.
@Aanchir:
Those were the three pieces I was thinking of, too. However, I read something here recently that suggested the PE parts are not 100% sourced from plants, so even in this set it’s possible that there aren’t any “plants from plants” parts. None of the potential parts are actual plant elements, but they are in exclusive colors, so I wouldn’t expect them to automatically be plant-based, but it wouldn’t be difficult to request it. It’s not like singling out a light-bley katana that’s made for this set vs those that are produced for Ninjago.
@StolenEyes said:
"Great review and another definite purchase!
@PhantomBricks The 10280 Flower Bouquet, at least here in the UK, only came with a single manual. You could always download the manual from the LEGO website to an iPad or laptop so your friend could build with you? "
That thought did cross my mind(albeit much later). However, one of the reasons why I love Lego so much is to be away from technology. Downloading instructions would nullify that. Nonetheless, thank you for your response and helpful suggestion!
Couldn't disagree more on "square pots" and "too colorful" being the cons / negatives. They are actually pros / positive to most people I assume. Those are plants / flowers and shouldn't them be colorful especially as a lego set? It would be too dull if they are all just being green, and succulents are supposed to be colorful. What was he thinking...And the square pots is a pro since it allows for the different arrangement of the pots and you can easily connect and disconnect them. Also not being round pots all the time that are in other sets. Also some succulents do come with square-ish pots. Both are easily pros for me, not con. Not much cons honestly except price could always be lower (even though I know it's not bad of a price already but could always be better if even cheaper lol).
@Terreneflame said:
" @watcher21 said:
"Great build and nice part use.
And lazy lego to lame to make some forestmen hats for castle in the forest but for some flowers they are willing to make them."
The scale of need parts between a 10000 copy limited release (intended to be 5000) and a proper set with likely 10+x that amount made would be why.
Makes Lego neither Lame nor Lazy, just not wanting to go nearly bankrupt again ;)"
But if they were already making them for this (or something else also...) then surely they could provide them for the Castle in the forest at the same time? I have no idea on LEGO timescales but either they are very tight, so perhaps were not available in time or they didn't wish to reveal their hand early on. Or they knew they were producing them and fans would be able to buy them themselves easily enough. Regardless, we now have them... And I hope to see them more...
Oh the flowers are nice too. Prob my favourite (and most practical) of this theme.
I think the lavender is fine, but its central position in this arrangement makes it seem overbearing due to the large parts (yes, even more so than the dark red), and that might be what's causing the impression that there's too much color. I think if it had been at one of the corners instead, the entire arrangement would be more visually balanced. Of course, that is just the arrangement shown in the front of the box — first impressions do matter, whereas at the same time are not everything.
I dont care about these flower sets as a sets. THESE ARE AMAZING PARTPACKS <3
@PhantomBricks said:
"one of the reasons why I love Lego so much is to be away from technology."
So I'm guessing you didn't get into Mindstorms, Hidden Side, or Vidiyo...
@bamaker:
I was looking for pics of more brightly-colored succulents and ran across this site:
https://worldofsucculents.com/succulents-change-color/
Turns out, color is dependent on ambient temp and sun exposure. In Michigan, green is typical. In the SW US, yellows are more common because they produce a chemical (yellow) that acts like sunscreen, while the more intense sunlight means less chlorophyll (green) is needed for photosynthesis.
I agree it's a bit too colorful to be a realistic representation. I honestly wouldn't have thought these were even succulents if it weren't for the name on the box. (i'm obviously no plant expert) When all together, they just look like regular little flowers/plants to me. The image in my head of succulents is pretty much 99% shades of green, with hints of gray. I feel like that's the look people are going for when they want succulents, not something this colorful.
It probably really is that large lavender one that puts the color over the top.
My girlfriend still really wants this set, though.
@ KaiserCoaster:
https://worldofsucculents.com/succulents-change-color/
Scroll down to see a picture of real succulents that make this set seem a bit bland. People probably look for green succulents because that’s all they’ve ever known was possible.
awesome parts usage
@TheOtherMike said:
" @PhantomBricks said:
"one of the reasons why I love Lego so much is to be away from technology."
So I'm guessing you didn't get into Mindstorms, Hidden Side, or Vidiyo..."
That would be a mostly correct assumption. Vidiyo and Mindstorms never had my attention(except for Vidiyo's minifigs). Hidden Side I really enjoyed though. I loved the sets, their locations, and how they incorporated play features. Unfortunately, I was still in a mini dark age at the time. That all being said, if I had gotten any of the sets, I wouldn't have used the apps.
The set disappeared from LEGO.com for some reason.
@roygolan said:
"The set disappeared from LEGO.com for some reason."
Same here. The listing is gone.