Blomsterlandet, a prominent garden chain in Sweden, has joined forces with Optima Planta to embark on a sustainable journey in the cultivation of ornamental plants. This collaboration is a significant step towards enhancing sustainability in the plant and horticulture industry. Optima Planta, an agtech company, brings a pioneering cultivation system to the table, originally designed for NASA to explore farming in space.
Optima Planta’s innovative solution is centered around self-developed ADA boxes for cultivation, coupled with proprietary software and AI. These boxes enable the creation of an optimal growth environment for the plants within them. The company is an offshoot of plant physiology research at the Swedish University of Agriculture, SLU, and optimization theory from Uppsala University.
The unique aspect of this partnership is that the sales of ornamental plants will progressively expand over time. Initially, the first batch of plants cultivated using this innovative method is set to hit Blomsterlandet’s stores in Stockholm and Uppsala in January 2024, featuring palette leaves and scented geraniums. What began as a solution for herbs and leafy greens has now shifted its focus to ornamental plants.
Optima Planta is poised to enhance its production capacity as demand grows, with plans to potentially offer ADA boxes to a broader client base and explore franchise agreements.
Andreas Karlsson, Purchasing Manager at Blomsterlandet, expresses pride in being the first garden chain in Sweden to embrace Optima Planta’s sustainable cultivation technology. The shared vision of reducing water usage and pesticides aligns perfectly with the need for more sustainable agriculture.
Lennart Sör, CEO of Optima Planta, emphasizes the importance of partnering with companies dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint while seeking more predictable and bountiful harvests. The collaboration marks a significant stride towards the future of agriculture, where sustainability takes center stage.