Reviewed by Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing ·
Researched from 100+ Amazon customer reviews
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LEGO's latest foray into botanical builds takes a decidedly kawaii approach with the Rocking Plants set. Two artificial plants in pastel pots with smiley faces that literally rock back and forth when you give them a nudge — it's either charming or slightly unnerving, depending on your tolerance for anthropomorphised houseplants.
I've spent time researching this £17.99 set, and whilst it's undeniably cute, I'm not entirely convinced it offers enough bang for your buck. The build looks straightforward enough for the 9+ age bracket, but seasoned LEGO builders might find themselves wanting more complexity for nearly twenty quid.
The set gives you two distinct plants: Lumi the delosperma (ice plant) with purple buds, and Ellie the echeveria sporting coral-coloured blooms on a tall stem. Both sit in interchangeable pastel pots — one pale green, one pale pink — complete with arms, legs, and those trademark smiley faces.
The engineering behind the rocking mechanism is pleasantly simple. The rounded bases mean a gentle nudge sets your plant friends swaying, which I suspect will provide about thirty seconds of entertainment before the novelty wears thin. Still, it's a nice touch that elevates this beyond static desk decor.
LEGO has included some thoughtful touches here. Lift the plants from their pots and you'll spot tiny root systems — a detail that adds authenticity to what's essentially a toy flower. The colour palette leans heavily into current trends, with those soft pastels that look right at home on Instagram-worthy bedroom shelves.
The parts compatibility with other LEGO Botanicals sets (specifically the Happy Plants 10349 set) means this isn't a complete dead end if your child gets bitten by the botanical building bug. Though at current pricing, building a full collection could get expensive quickly.
From what I can gather from the specifications, the build complexity sits comfortably within the 9+ bracket. The instruction booklet appears straightforward, and there's nothing here that should challenge anyone familiar with basic LEGO construction principles.
The finished models are compact enough for bedroom display without taking over the space, though I do wonder about long-term durability. Those thin stems and delicate flower elements look like they might not survive enthusiastic handling from younger builders.
Here's where things get sticky. At £17.99, you're paying roughly nine pounds per plant, which feels steep for what's essentially a small decorative item. Yes, it's LEGO, and yes, there's the novelty factor of the rocking mechanism, but I can't shake the feeling that you're paying a premium for cuteness rather than building complexity or play value.
For comparison, other entry-level LEGO Botanicals sets offer more substantial builds at similar price points. This feels more like an impulse purchase or stocking filler than a proper LEGO experience.
The LEGO Botanicals Rocking Plants set delivers on cuteness but falls short on value. It's perfect as a gift for plant-loving kids or adults who appreciate kawaii aesthetics, but seasoned builders will find it lacking in complexity. Worth it if you're collecting the Botanicals range, otherwise there are better ways to spend twenty quid.
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