Grobal Self-Watering Planter by Treg Bradley and Karim Rashid

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Grobal is a self-watering "techno-organic" base for growing plants in the "digital age"...

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Designed by Karim Rashid and conceived by Treg Bradley, the Grobal is a stylish planter that holds a "grow chamber". This chamber draws nutrients from the water reservoir up into Grobal Soil, creating a prime environment for growing plants and flowers at home with ease. Here's what Rashid has to say about it:

“The Grobal originated from an ambition to create a techno-organic base for nurturing life and cultivating growth. The digital age we live in no longer accepts the semantics of ancient craft and demands multi-sensorial experiences - any object we bring in our house should be an expression of our modern being and development. The iconic egg-like object functions as the foundation for new life - it is a material visualization of digital and sensual technology and nature synthesizing.”

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Each Grobal sells for $25, and in classic Rashid style, they come in a wide range of vibrant colors. Via: Inhabitat.

Comments (10)

very cool! i like where this technology is heading. not to be apocalyptic, but when water and soil becomes more scarce and all, we'll need this sort of personal grower for our own foods now and then.

another angle - my career is in mental illness. i can see these growers providing a benefit for the mentally ill, too. those with severe depression who don't have the energy to water their plants enough would love these. having plants around your home or office is so healing! i think the egg shape helps in that regard as well. the author is right, it's a shape which gratifies on so many levels.

posted by *heather leaf* on March 7th 2008 at 4:35am
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Self watering? I am not quite sure about that. If you don't have time to water your plants, you will never have time to enjoy the nature's beauty.

posted by Siddhu on March 7th 2008 at 5:04am
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Can it be for ANY sort of plant you want?? What about Bamboo??

posted by Sleek on March 7th 2008 at 5:17am
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Fabulous! I see they have an email link for inquiries but these folks are going to need a website to sell from. I'd buy 2 today.

posted by Renngrrl on March 7th 2008 at 7:12am
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Aren't these a similar idea to the Eva Solo self-watering flowerpot?

posted by ami on March 7th 2008 at 7:45am
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I'm a little confused. If the soil is constantly damp, won't it get moldy? I always thought it should dry out a little before the next watering.

posted by brittanykate on March 7th 2008 at 7:59am
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renngrrl,

The site will be fully functional in about a week. Meantime you can call or email using the info on the splash page to order.

posted by themage7 on March 7th 2008 at 9:46am
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See, I never really thought that my plant-murdering history hadn't anything to do with me not enjoying the beauty of nature and other such idyll-ities, so much as my inability to care for anything that couldn't tell me when it's hungry.

Thank goodness for these. I think I'm ready to try again.

posted by teacupcake on March 7th 2008 at 12:56pm
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Am I missing something? The Grobal is very attractive, but the concept is about as innovative as making a small ceramic object that can hold hot liquid and has a handle. Self-watering pots have been widely available for years.

Also, this would only work for certain types of plants that like their soil to be constantly moist. African violets are the most classic example, but other plants respond well to this environment too.

posted by Trilobyte on March 8th 2008 at 7:44am
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i don't mind the concept of a self-watering pot, but this:

The digital age we live in no longer accepts the semantics of ancient craft and demands multi-sensorial experiences - any object we bring in our house should be an expression of our modern being and development.

turns me off. way off. am i the only one?

posted by lindsey kathlene on March 8th 2008 at 11:35am
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