Enjoy its rich individuality and its lovely form.

Tuberous plants are enjoying an unprecedented boom.

side street: Roughly speaking, it's a type of succulent plant. In English, it is called Codex. Since this plant evolved to grow in arid environments such as Africa and Central America, its roots and trunk are woody and serve as water storage tanks. This gives it a unique form, and its rarity has also helped it gain popularity.

How did the current boom come about?

side streetI think that about 10 years ago, more and more people, not only some plant lovers, started to use greenery as interior decoration. I think that many people have come to tuberous plants in their pursuit of plants that are not common and that are moderately easy to manage. The main one is Pachypodium, which is a member of the oleander family and many of its species are native to Madagascar.

There are various kinds of "pachypodiums.

side streetThere are many different types of pachypodiums, such as: Maccaiense, brevicaure, and lamellia. All of them are popular, but one of the most representative is Gracilius, which I also love.

It is a typical variety, isn't it? It is the first form that comes to mind when I hear the word "tuberous plant.

side streetGracilius: Among pachypodiums, Gracilius has a particularly rounded form, which makes it very lovely. It is an art created by nature, and each individual pachypodium has a different shape, which makes it even more endearing. The ideal pachypodium is a round pachypodium with short branches, which increases the value of the pachypodium.

It is true that the price of the same Gracilius varies considerably depending on its size and shape.

side street: Basically, tuberous plants grow very slowly. Depending on the type and environment, they grow only 1 to 2 cm per year. This is reflected in their price. I feel that many enthusiasts enjoy the shape of the plant rather than the pleasure of growing houseplants in general. It may be similar to collecting figurines, where you look for a good shape and collect it. At Botanize, we have many male customers in their 30s and 40s.

It is interesting to see how you propose to coordinate with the pots at Botanize. It tickles the male heart even more.

side street: Be aware of the shape and size of the plants, and combine them with pots while keeping a good balance. By doing so, I can create a more unique look. Tuberous plants have distinctive forms, so it is very rewarding to coordinate them. I think this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of tuberous plants and the reason why tuberous plants have become so popular.

What kind of pots are popular?

side streetInvisible Ink: All of the pots we carry are popular, but one brand that has a cult-like following is the Invisible Ink pot. In addition to being easy to use as pots, Invisible Ink pots have a unique character that makes them instantly recognizable. Invisible Ink is a creative brand with excellent ceramics skills, and they create something surprising every time. The creator himself loves tuberous plants, and he always piques the curiosity of lovers of the plant.

You have often collaborated with "Botanize" as well, haven't you?

side streetYes, we have had bowls specially made with our icons as motifs at milestones. We have so many devoted fans that there is a long line of people waiting in line when they go on sale. Recently, we released a special-order version for the first anniversary of "Botanize" in Daikanyama and for an event at "United Arrows Roppongi" where we regularly have a pop-up store.

Touch tuberous plants at Botanaise's new store in Shirokane.

What was the impetus behind the opening of Botanaise Shirokane?

side street： Actually, I had not planned to open a store in a premeditated manner. I just happened to come across this property in Shirokane and felt that it was the place where I could realize the ideal I had in mind.

From the ground floor to the rooftop, Yokomachi-san handles everything.

side streetThe building is a three-story structure with a large, sunny rooftop: the first and second floors are used as an "Anea Cafe," and the third floor is used for "Botanize" and offices, with a greenhouse on the rooftop. When I saw this property for the first time, this configuration came to me instantly.

I have never seen such a magnificent greenhouse in Tokyo (laughs).

side streetI invested quite a bit of money for it (laughs). We have a greenhouse at Botanize in Daikanyama, but it was getting cramped for space, so it was just right for us. By having this Shirokane store, we were able to firmly condition the plants and upgrade the Daikanyama store to a place where we can focus more on sales.

In addition to tuberous plants, you had a large selection of cacti at the opening. What was your goal?

side street: Basically, tuberous plants are the main type of tuberous plants, but most flowering tuberous plants, including the aforementioned gracilius, are summer-type plants. That is, they have leaves from spring to fall, which is the growing season, and in winter they are deciduous and dormant. A pachypodium without leaves is not a problem for those who are used to it, but beginners may feel a little uneasy. At such a time, I just had a chance to stock local bulbs of the genus Copiapoa, so I decided to launch this time. The lineup is mainly composed of Kuro-o-maru and Arc-ryu-maru, and I inserted a winter type tuberous plant into the lineup.

I have the impression that some of the Copiapoa and Agave are also thriving.

side street: Copiapoa is a type of cactus that is native to Chile, and this one grows even slower than the pachypodium (laughs). The largest of the trees in this project is over 200 years old. There are two types of Copiapoa, one imported from Chile and the other seeded and bred in Japan, and the popular Kuroo-omaru needs the former to have a dull look. This time, all of them are from the local earth, so I think the enthusiasts were pleased with the results.

Copiapoa is a rare local globe. The price must be substantial.

side streetThe price was kept low this time because it was a festive event, the opening of the show. To be honest, we are really on the edge (laugh). However, we want our store to be a place where not only enthusiasts but also people who are just starting to be interested in plants can enjoy their purchases. That is why we have selected affordable euphorbias and other plants. Until then, the Daikanyama store was 9 Codex and 1 other, but now we are planning to have 7 Codex and 3 cacti and other.

I like the situation where you can look at the plants and then have a relaxing cup of tea.

side street: Until now, Botanaise and Anea Cafe have been separate, but we have finally been able to combine them into one building. The cafe is dog-friendly and offers a wide variety of take-out menu items. We are also particular about the three colors of white, black, and gray.

When I look at the customers who come to the store, many of them actually relax at the café after shopping at Botanaise, right?

side streetNothing would make me happier than to have customers enjoy a cup of tea or a meal while looking at the plants they have purchased. It is the best part of this store, and I am truly glad that we opened it.

Tuberous plants are now widely recognized by botanists and other opinion leaders. How do you think the environment surrounding these tuberous plants will change in the future?

side streetIn terms of the boom, I honestly believe that we are at the peak of the boom. It is a little overheated, and I am sure that it will calm down somewhat in the future. However, I don't think there will be an extreme decline.

Why is that?

side street: This boom has certainly brought in new fans. And they are all hooked on the deep fascination of tuberous plants. I would call myself included, a "tuberophile. Tuberous plants have a mysterious magic that cannot be described only by their shape or rarity.

It is true that fans of tuberous plants are more deeply involved than with other plants.

side streetYou are absolutely right. Tuberous plants are diverse, so even if you are into pachypodiums now, you can move on to other genres, such as adeniums or euphorbias, for example. The appearance and growing methods differ depending on the variety, so you can enjoy them while expanding your range of plants. Another attraction of tuberous plants is that they have a long life span, so you can enjoy them for a long time.

It is truly bottomless (laughs). Last but not least, please tell us about your future plans for Botanize.

side street：When I see customers at the store, I really feel that the number of beginner fans of tuberous plants has increased. Now that Botanize Shirokane has been established, the environment is finally ready, and I would like to make efforts so that not only enthusiasts but also those people can enjoy tuberous plants more. Also, although it is still in the conceptual stage, I would like to eventually establish a small-scale store nearby with a different concept. For example, a store that specializes in pots by gathering artists from around the area, or a store that gathers tools for plants. We would like to make it possible to visit the Daikanyama and Shirokane stores, as well as other Botanize stores, by taking a bus tour. We are planning to do more and more interesting things in the future, so please keep your eyes peeled for them.