JEJ ASTAGE Co., Ltd. launched an advance release on Makuake on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 of POTAGEST, a circular planter with a composting function supervised by gardener Takako Fukamachi. It is a product for growing flowers, herbs and vegetables in a garden or on a balcony.
A planter for growing flowers and herbs, with a built-in composter
POTAGEST combines a planter for growing plants with a composter that breaks down spent flowers and vegetable scraps. The planter holds about 28 L, and the composter installed inside holds about 3 L.
According to the company, when organic matter breaks down in the composter, its nutrients gradually move into the surrounding soil. The product takes the approach of enriching the soil while you grow plants.
Add spent flowers and stir about once a week
To use it, put the "Potagest Base (base material)" into the composter, and add spent flowers or vegetable scraps in the center. Cover them with the base material around them, and close the lid firmly.
The top of the composter has slits that let air in. The company explains that the design encourages decomposition by microorganisms, and that the lid also takes insects and odors into account.
For upkeep, stir the whole thing about once a week, on days when you are not adding kitchen waste. Adjust the moisture according to how the decomposition is going (*).
*Adjusting the moisture according to how the decomposition is going will be more effective.
A "growing recipe collection" combining seasonal flowers is also available
The official website features a "growing recipe collection" supervised by Ms. Fukamachi. It introduces combinations of flowers, herbs and vegetables to match the seasons.
"Autumn Japanese-Style Potager" combines mizuna, shungiku (garland chrysanthemum), dianthus and viola. "Spring Colorful Salad Garden" pairs leaf lettuce with chives, Italian parsley, viola and calendula.
POTAGEST set contents, release date and where to buy
The Standard Set comes with the planter, composter, composter lid, bottom mesh, composter guide, Potagest Base (about 5 L) and a user guide. The guide covers how to add kitchen waste, how to grow plants and more.
The Premium Set consists of the Standard Set contents plus potting soil.
- Product name: POTAGEST
- Capacity: Planter about 28 L, composter about 3 L
- Size: W595 x D415 x H305 mm
- Color: Earth brown
- Advance sale period: 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13
- General sale: Planned to roll out gradually from February 2027 through e-commerce, specialty stores and others
- Where to buy (online): POTAGEST Makuake project page
- Estimated delivery: By the end of January 2027
- Country of manufacture: Japan
The name "POTAGEST" combines the French word "potager" (kitchen garden) and "compost." The growing recipe collection is available on the official POTAGEST website.
Image: courtesy of JEJ ASTAGE Co., Ltd.
