Growth is a clever solution for time-poor urbanites by Bike and Begum Ayaskan

Growth sustains the development of the plant inside without need for maintenance or repotting. The neat origami folds of the pot expand over time as the roots of the plant grow, avoiding muddy fingers and ensuring that the pot is always the correct size for optimum health. There is no denying that more plants equal a healthier, more pleasant environment, so anything that makes upkeep simpler is a bonus.

Created by two design students at the Royal College of Art, Growth aims to represent the development of the plant inside, changing and expanding in sync as it transforms from seedling to fully grown. Plastic is shaped in a way that means that it’s triangular contours can unfold from pressure applied from the roots within, all while maintaining its pot shape.

As new technologies find applications in the items around us in daily life, objects become self-sustainable – almost with a life of their own. We’ve seen products like Mother, which does a panoply of tasks —including telling you whether anybody is home — and Meld, a retro-fit device which turns your hob into a Bluetooth controlled relf-regulating utility. And now, even the innocuous plant pot has new potential, removing the need for a chore that can be a deal-breaker when it comes to homes without gardens.