The More it Grows, the Better it Gets. ‘Honbachi’ = Growing Plants in Old Books

• add_classic
• book
• ecohack
• Japan

By KenAug 10th, 2009

What?! A plant growing out of a book?!
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you! Nor is this CG at work, or a joke. It is a ‘Honbachi’ (‘Book Plant’) – a real plant growing out of soil in a bona fide book. Old, disused books are given a new life as plant pots, sure to be a hit with bookworms! Let’s take a look at the concept behind this.
This product was developed by Tokyo Pistol, who specialize in design and editing. The concept was born through collaboration with a flower shop at the ‘Hana to Hon’ (‘Flower and Book’) exhibition at the Saburo Miyamoto annex of the Setagaya Art Musem. The unique and creative display of books and plants was met with favorable acclaim, leading to the decision to go commercial with the ‘Honbachi’.
However, the path to commercialization was not free of trouble. The first task was to go around used book stores, collecting old books that were too dilapidated to use, and cutting out the insides by hand, creating a receptacle for the plants. In keeping with the concept, the removed paper is not thrown away, but used as wrapping, ensuring that there is no waste from the products.

The obvious issue of waterproofing is circumvented in order to allow the books to ‘return to earth’. If just a little water is given when the soil dries, there is no worry about water leaking. (However, for indoor use, a waterproof tray is recommended just in case.)

Easy to grow indoor plants such as pilea, wire vines, and kalanchoe are selected for the kits, so even novices shouldn’t fail.
As the plants grow, the book will slowly deteriorate, adding to the flavor of the object. As can be seen from the photo below, the object appears to ‘mature’ with age, slowly becoming one with nature.

‘Honbachi’ are available for purchase through the Tokyo Pistol homepage. Sets are available in three sizes, L, M, or S, and come with soil and plants. As each book plant is unique, shape and color depend on the books available at the time. An inventory of available books can be found on the website, so it may pay to wait until you find a book that takes your fancy.
‘Honbachi’ are the result of a bold concept and a playful imagination. The image of life growing from a book that is returning to soil itself reminds us of the preciousness of life, and not to take things for granted.

This article has been translated from the original Japanese post.