The LEGO Botanical collection keeps on growing every year, with a selection of sets that vary in sizes and prices. We’ve seen tiny plants before, but the newest addition to the line tries something new with a potted pair engineered to deliver extra smiles to green thumb builders. LEGO Botanicals 10349 Happy Plants doesn’t just bring cute pots in fun colors, but it’s a playful foundation for creative repotting. Let’s have a look at the set and let’s see if it will make you as happy as the plants on the package.
LEGO Botanicals 10349 Happy Plants contains 217 pieces and is available from June 1 for US $22.99 | CAN $24.99 | UK £17.99.
The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.
Unboxing the set and contents
The front of the box features the two plants in all their cuteness, while the back of the box highlights the option to switch up the plants. We can also see that the arms can be arranged to make it look like the plants are holding hands. Aw….
Inside the box there are 4 numbered bags, 2 bigger ones for the pots, 2 small ones for the plants and no stickers. Each adorable pot gets its own instruction book. This can definitely be a fun little build to share with someone.
Each manual has a little write up about the plant that we are about to build. The instructions are printed on a lower grade paper stock that isn’t durable and doesn’t photograph well, but considering the lower price point, it’s a fair trade off.
The build
In bag 1 we build the bright light yellow pot. There is a simple frame with arms, legs and studs front and back. Then we build 2 sub-assemblies that will satisfyingly connect to the frame, with the smiley print on one side.
With arms raised and a big smile, this is a happy pot indeed.
In bag 2 we build the Dracaena. Another simple build with a good selection of dark green leaves. A little root build will connect at the bottom and we can slide it into the pot.
The bright light blue pot is built with bag 3. The flow of the build is the same as before, but this time we have a rectangular shape and some additional studs on the side. A couple of brackets have been used as well to extend the top, aligning the tiles.
Putting front and back together is again a satisfying process and this time we have the legs at the front for a cute sitting pot.
In the last bag we build the Pilea. This last plant is a little more fiddly to put together with bars, shields and street signs. The bottom structure is the same as the other plant. We can now decide which plant we want to display in which pot.
The finished model and MODs
The finished models are really cute. A perfect choice of colors, appealing curves, and smiley prints combine to make for a very appealing pair of characters. Here is a picture with 10348 Japanese Red Maple Bonsai Tree for scale.
This set offers great options for customization. Of course you can mix-and-match the plants provided…
Or you could consider repotting some other Botanicals. For example, I parted out my copy of 10329 Tiny Plants because it contained a lot of dark orange parts that I repurpose for my MOCs. Now I can select my favorite tiny plants from that set to display in a new pot. Smiles all around.
But one of my favorite activities is to shrink down LEGO sets, so why not create some microscale versions of other Botanicals? The most obvious choice, since I just reviewed it, is to take some parts from the Red Maple Tree, to display next to the micro OG bonsai tree.
Conclusion and recommendation
What I look for in a LEGO set are building experience, parts selection and display value. The build experience is brisk but rewarding with some fun techniques for a set of this size. While I wouldn’t consider picking up a small set like this just for parts, it does feature some interesting recolors. Where the set really shines is in display value. The pots are cute and would look good everywhere around the house. Overall it’s a beautiful little set, whether you’re treating yourself or looking for a nice little gift. With LEGO price points creeping ever upwards, well-designed sets like this that don’t break the bank are a happy addition indeed.
LEGO Botanicals 10349 Happy Plants will be available from June 1 for US $22.99 | CAN $24.99 | UK £17.99. You may also be able to find it from third party retailers on Amazon and eBay.