Alright, fellow brick-lovers, let me tell you about Lego’s botanical garden set – it’s a beast of a build and quite possibly one of my all-time favourite Lego sets with a floral theme. It’s like a grown up version of the Friends botanical garden (set 41757) and at 3,792 pieces, it’s nothing short of a weekend project – or, if you’re anything like me, a delightful few days of peaceful construction, brick by brick, plant by plant. Lego’s really outdone themselves with this one, though I’ll admit, it’s not without a few quirks.
First impressions: a botanical dream in bricks
When I saw LEGO was releasing a botanical garden set, I was thrilled. Victorian-style glasshouse? Check. Three beautifully detailed atriums? Double-check. I mean, who doesn’t love the charm of an old-school greenhouse, packed with plants and quirky minifigures?
Right out of the box, the set looks impressive, and as you’re building, you realise that this isn’t your typical Lego experience. It’s truly meant for the adult fan of Lego (AFOL) crowd – the 18+ label isn’t just for show here. It’s got the kind of detail and complexity that’ll have you glued (well, not literally) for hours.
Building the botanical world: plant by plant
This set isn’t for the faint of heart. Let’s just say, if repetitive steps aren’t your thing, you might struggle here. The garden’s packed with over 35 unique species of plants – and yes, you’ll be assembling each leaf, petal, and flower by hand. For some, that might be a bit of a drag, but personally, I found it wonderfully zen. Each piece adds to the lush environment, creating a beautifully dense display that’s almost as satisfying as building a massive Lego castle or something similar.
And there’s a wonderful variety here: two large exotic trees, an arid garden, some colourful peonies, and enough greenery to fill every inch of space. It’s like finding the perfect brick you didn’t even know you needed, and the end result feels genuinely botanical. Critics might say there could be more variety, but I reckon they’ve struck a fine balance between detail and manageability. After all, it’s Lego – part of the fun is in building the scene to your liking!
Inside the glasshouse: a real treat for minifig lovers
The interior of the glasshouse is a showstopper. You’ve got three sections: the main atrium with its big spiral staircase, which leads up to an observation deck, and two smaller atriums with an arid garden and a café. That spiral staircase is a standout piece of design, adding an elegant touch that fits the Victorian aesthetic perfectly. The main glasshouse has this lush, jungly vibe, which is complemented nicely by the two side sections, each with its own distinct personality.
It’s also packed with 12 minifigures, including a manager, gardeners, a barista, and several visitors. Plus, they’ve thrown in animals – a squirrel, a bunny, four birds, a dog, and even a beetle if you’re paying attention. My grandkids love spotting all the little critters, but of course, I have to keep a close eye – can’t have sticky fingers swiping the best bits or dismantling this masterpiece! It’s a bustling little world, perfect for those of us who enjoy a bit of life in our Lego sets. And if you’re a minifig collector, these characters add so much personality to the build.
Repetitive? Maybe. But worth it for a beautiful display
I know there are a few grumbles online about the repetitive nature of the build, and yes, I’ll admit, assembling dozens of tiny plants can get a bit samey. But here’s the thing – it’s all part of the experience. There’s something wonderfully meditative about piecing together each little flower, especially when you step back and realise you’ve created a miniature ecosystem (you know Lego is 100% legit a relaxation tool, right?).
Once completed, it’s not just a set to build and forget – it’s a display piece. At over 51cm wide and 21cm inches tall, it’s a proper centrepiece for any room. The removable roofs and walls mean you can easily access the detailed interior, making it perfect for setting up scenes with the minifigs or simply admiring the view. I have it on my office shelf, and it’s a conversation starter every time someone pops by.
Let’s be real: is it a botanical garden?
Alright, some purists out there might argue that it’s more of a fancy greenhouse than a true botanical garden. And they’re not wrong. It’s compact, so if you’re expecting a sprawling botanical wonderland, you might feel a bit let down. But in my view, it’s a delightful miniature interpretation. It captures the essence of a glasshouse, and for a LEGO set, it’s packed with as much flora and detail as you could reasonably hope for. I’d say Lego delivered on the spirit of a botanical garden, even if it’s scaled down. You might also like the Tranquil Garden set if you enjoy this as it has a similar vibe.
Final thoughts: a must-have for AFOLs
In the end, the Lego botanical garden set is a masterpiece of detail, perfect for AFOLs and plant lovers alike. I do love the Lego flowers range and whilst this isn’t part of that (it’s a Lego Ideas project), it certainly has the same feel (off topic but I found loads of Lego flowers competitions here if that’s also your thing). It’s not a quick build, but that’s part of the charm – you get to immerse yourself in a project that’s both challenging and rewarding. It’s a set you’ll be proud to display, and one that will bring a bit of nature into any room, without the need for green thumbs.
If you’re looking for a LEGO set with a twist, one that offers a bit of tranquillity in the build process and a beautiful result, this is it. It’s a stunner, a little bit repetitive, and absolutely worth the time. Just make sure you’ve got a sturdy shelf ready, because this botanical beauty deserves to be shown off!
Have a look at this video to get a really decent inside view: