Flowers, herbs and gardens can be added to the list of lovely 3D printables thanks to computer scientist Yuichiro Takeuchi, who is hoping to make the world a greener place with his ‘garden software system.’

In order to ‘print a garden’, Takeuchi relies on a 3D printer with a specially designed software program that prints encasements. The shape of each encasement is first designed with a CAD programme and then printed with a type of yarn. Following this, an attachment on the printer deposits tiny seeds into the encasement. Within weeks, the seeds begin to grow into plants. Takeuchi claims to be able to print encasements in any shape, rivaling the imagination of even the most creative garden designer.

The seeds grow within the encasements due to a process similar to hydroponics. This is a process whereby plants aren’t grown in soil, but instead within a material that contains mineral nutrients. Vertical gardens, such as those famously designed by Patrick Blanc, are also grown in this manner. But while traditional vertical gardens such as these can cost considerable amounts of money to install and maintain, Takeuchi believes that 3D printed plants will be cheaper and easier to grow.

Currently, Takeuchi is printing smaller plants such as herbs and watercress. But he has bigger ambitions. He is currently building a bigger and faster 3D printer with the aim of printing yarn encasements large enough to grow fruits, vegetables and trees.

He hopes to make a big impact on Tokyo’s ecosystem by transforming leftover concrete jungles into green surfaces. And he has one particularly special objective in mind. As Takeuchi explains:

“Here in Japan we love fireflies, but as they can only thrive in pristine environments we don’t see them in dense, built-up Tokyo. I’m hoping that by installing a number of printed gardens on rooftops and walls throughout Tokyo, I can someday bring back fireflies to my neighborhood.”

Takeuchi’s project was showcased at the Sony CSL symposium at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in September, 2014.

For more, visit the Printable Garden.