New LEGO botanical elements open up more leafy possibilities

A LEGO Friends designer has shared how a new botanical part has been years in the works, opening up far more possibilities when it comes to leafy builds.

LEGO Friends has made a name for itself with its colourful, vibrant designs and the 2024 sets are continuing the trend. In particular, LEGO Designer Wes Talbott has dug into how two new botanical elements were created and what it means for leafy builds moving forward in a recent post on Instagram.

“The ‘Leaf Cluster’ has been in the back of my mind since our first leaf plate was made,” wrote Wes. “I always felt like it was too tedious for young kids (or impatient adults) to make a nice-looking, filled-out tree. The leaf plate helps but the foliage still often falls a bit flat.

“We tried things like having negative space between leaves, and asymmetric leaf placement but, in the end, the symmetrical solid design felt the most ‘LEGO’.”

The element in question is pictured in green in Wes’ sketches above but appears in purple in 42620 Olly and Paisley’s Family Houses, where they’re used to create some fully, leafy trees, just like the designer described. While they’re positioned here on the end of branches, the slightly curved shape means that they could easily be used to create the shape of a shrub, to fill out a flower display, or any number of other uses.

It’s not only the leaf cluster that will make its first appearance in the LEGO Friends 2024 wave; there’s also what Wes calls the ‘Big Fern’.

“The Big Fern was just an obvious extension to the small fern and the size allows for a broader variety of ferns, pine trees, and palm trees,” continued Wes. “I was especially happy with the choice to cut out the half Technic hole to allow space for a cross axel or bar to sandwich the build together.”

This is used several times in 42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion, the largest set from the wave, to create some towering, leafy palm trees that perfectly match the modern vibe of Andrea’s sprawling house. As Wes points out, this newer size of fern can easily be attached to other pieces in various styles, thanks to the two-hole Technic section.

These new elements are just another reason not to be put off by LEGO Friends child-friendly packaging and play-focused minidolls. It’s a theme that’s often packed full of new and recoloured elements, ideal for creative builders to get their hands on unique parts and pieces.

Every LEGO Friends set confirmed for 2024

LEGO set	Price	Pieces	Release date
30658 Mobile Music Trailer	TBC	TBC	2024
30659 Flower Garden	TBC	64	January 1, 2024
42601 Hamster Playground	£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99	167	January 1, 2024
42603 Stargazing Camping Vehicle	£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99	364	January 1, 2024
42604 Heartlake City Shopping Mall	£104.99 / $119.99 / €119.99	1,237	January 1, 2024
42605 Mars Space Base and Rocket	£79.99 / $79.99 / €89.99	981	January 1, 2024
42606 Mobile Bakery Food Cart	£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99	125	January 1, 2024
42607 Autumn’s Baby Cow Shed	£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99	79	January 1, 2024
42608 Tiny Accessories Store	£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99	129	January 1, 2024
42609 Electric Car and Charger	£12.99 / $14.99 / €15.99	170	January 1, 2024
42610 Karaoke Music Party	£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99	196	January 1, 2024
42612 Cat Playground Adventure	£8.99 / $10.99 / €9.99	87	January 1, 2024
42613 Heartlake City Hospital Ambulance	£29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99	344	January 1, 2024
42614 Vintage Fashion Store	£34.99 / $44.99 / €39.99	409	January 1, 2024
42615 Pet Adoption Day	£39.99 / $44.99 / €44.99	400	January 1, 2024
42616 Heartlake City Music Talent Show	£59.99 / $64.99 / €64.99	669	January 1, 2024
42617 Farm Animal Sanctuary	£49.99 / $54.99 / €54.99	489	January 1, 2024
42619 Pop Star Music Tour Bus	£74.99 / $84.99 / €84.99	845	January 1, 2024
42620 Olly and Paisley’s Family Houses	£89.99 / $99.99 / €99.99	1,126	January 1, 2024
42621 Heartlake City Hospital	£89.99 / $109.99 / €99.99	2,045	January 1, 2024
42632 Farm Animal Vet Clinic	£24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99	161	January 1, 2024
42633 Hot Dog Food Truck	£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99	100	January 1, 2024
42634 Horse and Pony Trailer	£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99	105	January 1, 2024
42639 Andrea’s Modern Mansion	£169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99	2,275	January 1, 2024

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