A couple of years ago, I received a postcard from a friend living on the other side of the Atlantic. The postcard, issued by the United States Postal Service, was made with special paper that had wildflower seeds rolled in it. It ended its life – or started its life – as an act of guerrilla gardening in a vacant garden on a university campus.
Thus started my love for all things plantable.
There’s something especially hopeful about planting seeds and waiting for them to sprout.
There’s something even more special about objects that would otherwise go to waste transformed into another opportunity to plant and be hopeful.
Rhoeco, a Greek purveyor of fine quality organic teas, has made it their mission to get us planting.
The company sells a few types of loose leaf tea blends, aptly named after natural elements (mountain, forest, sea, agros). Once you’ve savored the tea to the last leaf, you don’t have to worry about disposing of wasteful packaging. Under the lid, you’ll find a stick that’s imbibed with a mix of organic herb seeds: chamomile, mallow, sage, lemon balm, thyme, and hyssop. The glue holding the seeds together is natural and eco-friendly, and helps feed the seedlings after you’ve planted them.
Now the planting is up to you. All you have to do is fill the empty container with some soil and press the seed stick in it. Keep it watered, but not soggy, and place it on a sunny windowsill.
You can write the planting date on the stick and observe the seed growth day by day. You’ll see the results of your green thumbs in 7 to 20 days.
When the seedlings are 3-4 cm (1-2 inches) tall, you can take the next step and transfer the planter to a larger flower pot or to your garden. You don’t have to worry about digging it out, because the container itself is biodegradable.
Isn’t that an amazing idea?
You get to enjoy the soothing tea inside and then, if you put at least a little bit of effort in the process, you get to grow your own blend.
I can’t think of any other company that offers their buyers a chance of by-passing them to get the same final product. But that’s the beauty of circular economy and sustainable business practices in action.
Rhoeco – whom I’ve been introduced to via the Maison et Objet Fair, is a team of young professionals, ecology enthusiasts and herb lovers, with the ambition to revive traditional habits and insert them into our modern hectic days.
You can read more about their manifesto (you should, it will speak to your soul) on their website.
All photos via Rhoeco’s website and their Instagram account.
For more product-seed-plant examples, have a look at
> the Sprout pencil – you can plant it once you’ve sharpened it to the stub
> the bee saving paper – releasing a delicious cocktail of flowers that bees can feast on.
