Pop-top can grows a message of surprises

Three things that come in a pop-top can: soda, soup, magic beans.

Peel off the top of a Magic Sproutz can, give it sunlight and water, and in a week or so you get a sprouting bean plant with a message – such as “Sweet Dreams” or “Lucky in Love” – on one side of the bean and an accompanying symbol, such as a moon or four-leaf clover, on the other.

Toronto-based Spin Master’s colorful cans recently have taken root (sorry) in stores such as Toys “R” Us and Target. There is also an “egg plant” version, featuring a similar plant that “hatches” from a simulated egg. The Sproutz, which are actually sword or jack beans, are sold online as well. Wrote one Amazon reviewer from Florida: “This toy is amazing! My kids – ages 5 & 7 – have been growing this bean for about a month now, & it’s still growing strong! Message showed up after about a week & a half, perfectly clear. Only thing is, I don’t know what to do w/ it now!”

Modern technology provides the magic, says Harold Chizick, Spin Master’s vice president of global marketing.

“It’s basically laser-engraved. … It’s actually done on the bean casing itself,” he says. “The message gets burned onto the seed, and when it grows, it grows with the message.” It doesn’t hurt the plant, because “the lasering is done prior to growing.”

There are six messages right now, he says. “We are working on more.”

Chizick says the beans can last six to eight months. “What happens is, it almost grows like a vine. So if you take it and put it near a wall, it’ll crawl right up the wall.” He acknowledges. “It’s like a goldfish.” Once the novelty wears off, the child’s interest may wander.

On the other hand, he says, “I’ve seen these things grow up to 6 feet. There is fun in watching how big it’ll grow.”