The LEGO Botanical Collection has an interesting and often beautiful selection of sets that reflect real life flowers and plants. 10309 Succulents includes 9 different species of succulent plants, such as an Aloe Vera plant and the Gymnocalycium mihanovichii cactus. The set includes three separate instruction booklets covering three different plants each, which I believe makes it more complicated if anything.

This set uses several interesting pieces to accomplish the various shapes and angles of these natural-looking plants, including buildable figure shoulder pads, yellowish green egg elements, and even 62885 submachine guns.

These different plants look convincing enough when it is all put together. The black pots they all are built onto are connected using small technic axle pins, and the order can be rearranged, though the size of some plants makes certain combinations difficult or impossible without altering the build.

Overall, this set shows impressive use of different LEGO elements to capture a natural feel of these diverse plants, and looks great on display with other Botanical Collection sets. I would recommend this set to anyone who values other sets in the Botanical Collection.

Pros: Fun to build, visually appealing, sophisticated 18+ set.

Cons: Somewhat expensive ($49.99, €49.99), unnecessarily split up instructions