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    30 Problem-Solving Products For Beginner Plant Parents

    You're about to become a certified plant expert 🌱

    1. soil moisture meter to solve one of the most common beginner plant parent dilemmas: overwatering. If you've made your plants sad and droopy with excessive moisture, it's time to put down the watering can and pick up one of these!

    Reviewer's moisture meter inserted into the soil of a plant
    Reviewer holding a soil moisture meter

    Using a soil moisture meter is easier than you might think. I've been using this particular model for years without any issues. All you have to do is insert the metal stem into the soil of your plant (about three to four inches deep) and view the moisture reading. When you're done, wipe it clean and store it until your next watering session. I like to measure the soil moisture both before and after watering to make sure I've given my plants a nice big drink without overdoing it.

    Promising review: "This is a remarkable little gadget! All gardeners need this in their arsenal of tools! #1. no batteries!!! #2. simple to use #3. no more overwatering your beautiful plants!! I have already bought 3 of these for my gardening friends and they love it too! It has saved so many of my plants from overwatering. I highly recommend this gadget!!" —carolel

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

    2. A roll of garden tape that'll offer extra support for those plants that tend to lean as they grow. The tape will blend right in with the gorgeous green shades of your foliage. One side is made of Velcro, so you simply wrap it around the plant stems without having to make any ties. 

    Reviewer photo of Velcro garden tape supporting plant stems
    Reviewer photo of a large plant supported by Velcro garden tape

    Your plants may seem small when you first start building your collection, but with the right care, they'll eventually grow much bigger. Larger plants may begin to lean to one side, but some garden tape can easily fix that.

    Promising review: "I've been using this to train my vines along their supports. The good thing is that it can be easily reused as the vines grow. The color helps it easily camouflage among my plants. Unlike twine or burlap strings, this flexible material does not restrict plant's growth!"Mehendi Das

    Get it from Amazon for $3.98+ (available in seven sizes).

    3. A moss pole to give your plants the climbing support they so desperately need! It comes with two, so you can use one pole in two different plants OR you can combine them into one giant pole for those especially large plants that require support.

    These moss poles are made of natural coconut palm figs which are reusable, sustainable, and safe for your plants. It also comes with 10 twist ties and 10 plant labels.

    Promising review: "I used these two coir plant supports to hold up two types of climbers, a pothos and a monstera. They were the perfect size to rein in my large houseplants. Well made, shipped nicely, and they came with good-size ties and labels." —Durable Gardening

    Get it from Amazon for $11.95+ (available in three sizes).

    4. Or a moon phase houseplant trellis for a super cute AND effective way to give your houseplants some additional support. Once you train the vines to grow up the trellis, sit back and watch your babies grow!

    moon phase houseplant trellis shown in three sizes
    moon phase trellis in a plant
    Pine And Sprout / Via Etsy

    Pine And Sprout is an Asian-owned, family-owned business based in Tacoma, Washington. Robbie and Jenny are a brother-and-sister team who share a passion for helping others bring joy, light, and fun to their homes. Since launching their small biz in 2021, they've expanded their product offerings from plant trellises to include propagation stations, macrame items, and more.

    Get it from Pine And Sprout on Etsy for $10+ (available in three sizes and three colors).

    5. A set of plant climbing wall clips so your beauties can climb up the wall rather than hang down on the floor. Not only do many plants thrive when growing upward, but this will add some serious ~planty~ vibes to your space.

    Reviewer showing close-up of plant clips in use
    Reviewer's plant climbing the wall with plant clips

    Promising review: "New plant momma here and wanted my indoor plants to grow up the wall. These hold up great and have been using them for a couple of weeks. They are growing up about 5 feet so far." —Jennifer

    Get it from Amazon for $9.89.

    6. A copper plant stake that is both whimsical and supportive. It'll help guide your plants in the right direction as they grow, which will be quite useful when caring for fresh transplants that may be struggling to adjust to their new home!

    Two copper plant stakes in whirlwind design
    Copper plant stake inserted in plant
    Dragonfly Dreams / Etsy

    Dragonfly Dreams is a small business based in Minnesota, which stemmed from a passion for handmade creations. Whether you need some uniquely-shaped copper plant stakes, sun catchers, or whimsy sticks, you'll find numerous one-of-a-kind products for your plants in this shop.

    Get it from Dragonfly Dreams on Etsy for $15.20+ (available in four sizes).

    7. A hand pruner to trim your overgrown plants. Whether you've got a few dead leaves to snip or you want to propagate some cuttings, a hand pruner will get the job done so you don't *actually* have to get your hands dirty.

    Reviewer holding closed hand pruner
    Reviewer holding open hand pruner

    Promising review: "These are perfect! They get right into tiny or close spots and snip stems right off. They actually make deadheading flowers & plants fun because it's so easy. Plus they are small and light, so they don't hurt or tire my hands. I can easily open and close the lock with one hand so I can quickly snip, snip, snip away! **One month update** I still LOVE these clippers! I really don’t know how I got by without them before. I find it to be very relaxing to use these each evening to clean up my plants, I find myself almost disappointed if I can’t find anything to snip off lol. If you have flowers, herbs, or other plants you need these!" —Laurilee5

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in two colors).

    8. A plant terrarium where you can propagate your cuttings and make even more plants out of your existing ones! Trimming plants can be tough when you're a beginner and love to watch 'em grow, but this is a ~genius~ and affordable way to put those cuttings to use without buying new plants.

    Reviewer's plant terrarium with flowers and plant cuttings
    Reviewer's plant terrarium with plant cuttings

    Promising review: "Super. Cute. This looks beautiful on the countertop and is a unique way to prop cuttings. The light refracts through the globes in a really lovely way too. My lil' pothos bbs love it so far." —S

    Get it from Amazon for $14.43.

    9. A waterproof repotting mat that'll prevent big messes when you're transferring a plant to a new pot or adding fresh soil to an existing one. Whether it's simply too hot outside or you don't have a big outdoor space to work with, this mat has you covered (literally)!

    Promising review: "I love this product! I usually repot my plants on paper bags or old newspapers hanging around, which always ends up making a huge mess. But now having this I not only keep everything maintained to one unit, but at the end of repotting, I can use the corners to help me dump and remaining soil back into my container. It’s super durable so I’ll even mix up my soil components right in the tarp itself! Highly recommend to anyone who has a lot of house plants, especially for those who are renters/ don’t have access to a yard or garage."  —Emily Pham

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in two colors and four sizes).

    10. A macrame plant hanger for when you inevitably run out of floor space for your newfound passion! Whether you hang it in your kitchen window or in that living room corner that gets tons of natural light, plant hangers are *the* perfect way to keep living the plant life without taking up too much space in your home.

    Reviewer's natural white plant hanger with plant inside
    Reviewer's three plant hangers in pink, natural white, and purple
    Macrame Beautiful / Etsy

    Macrame Beautiful is a family-owned business based in Beijing, China. The owner, Emma Yang, is a lover of both plants and macrame. The family of seven makes various macrame products with a commitment to crafting their creations with high-quality materials. In addition to macrame plant hangers, the shop also offers baskets, cat hammocks, hanging shelves, wall art, and many other goodies.

    Promising review: "Very sweet seller! The plant hanger is beautiful and it’s exactly what I was looking for! I think it’s really neat that the color can be customized. I also really love the wrapping that it came in! I will definitely be buying from this shop again!!" —Jenna C

    Get it from Macrame Beautiful on Etsy for $11.95+ (available in three sizes, four styles, and 19 colors).

    11. Or a four-tier plant shelf you can hang in the window or on the wall so you have even more space for your plants without using up too much valuable floor space. This also doubles as a brilliant human/pet parenting hack if you're looking for ways to keep plants out of reach!

    Four-tier plant shelf hanging in window
    Four-tier plant shelf hanging on wall
    JDM Wood Creations / Etsy

    JDM Wood Creations is a small business based in Tennessee. The owner, Justin Miller, developed a passion for woodworking began four years ago, which he eventually transformed into a business in March 2021. JDM Wood Creations specializes in handmade, high-quality home decor items. The shop offers a wide variety of shelving options, coasters, jewelry organization, and custom engraved items.

    Promising review: "This is such an amazing sturdy shelf that holds all my plants and more! I had to pull all my little plants in for the winter and needed something that the cats can't get to and won't take up a lot of space. This was the perfect hanging shelf I needed. I looked on Amazon and other Etsy sellers for months, and I am so freaking glad that I bought this one! It arrived way earlier than expected, which was super nice. I look forward to having this in front of my window year round." —Karla Nord

    Get it from JDM Wood Creations on Etsy for $54.00+ (available in seven colors and 14 sizes).

    12. OR! a six-tier plant stand if you have a spare corner so you can make the most out of limited space. You can fit up to seven plants on this stand without taking up a ton of room in your home. Plus, grouping plants together helps naturally increase humidity so, like, how could you not?

    Promising review: "This is a must-have and beautiful plant stand to fit in any room corner. It’s lightweight and very easy to assemble. I placed it in the corner of my family room. It looks stylish and blends in with the room. This is my favorite corner of the house, it makes me feel calm and relaxed every time I go here." —Jessie L

    Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three colors).

    13. A pack of rolling plant caddies for when it's time to admit your plants are simply too heavy to move without assistance. If you constantly move your plants around based on light conditions or to bring them in from the cold, you need yourself some rolling plant caddies *with* locking wheels!

    Promising review: "These are great for plants! I have three five-gallon geranium plants that don't like to get wet. For the last couple of years, I was lugging them around back and forth on the patio. What a relief for my back that I don't have to do that anymore. The trays are sturdy and deep enough that water doesn't come out all over the ground either. I like the wheel locking feature in case I want them to stay in place and the maneuverability of them is great." —Cheryl

    Get it from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two colors).

    14. An adjustable plant stand that'll grow with your plants so you don't have to keep buying new ones as you start needing bigger pots to manage those welcomed growth spurts. 

    Reviewer's natural color plant stand raising a plant higher off the ground
    Reviewer's three light brown plant stands holding plants

    The stand can be adjusted to accommodate pots that range from eight to 12 inches in diameter. You don't need any special tools to adjust the size of the stand. Simply slot the two pieces together and tighten the included screw. You can use the plant stand to keep your plant closer to the ground or to raise it higher. If you're a plant parent *and* a human and/or pet parent, the latter will def come in handy!

    P.S. If you want to stock up, you can get a two-pack for cheaper!

    Promising review: "Assembly was easy, adjustable to fit my pot size, aesthetically pleasing, and good value for money! :)" —Grace

    Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in four colors). 

    15. An adorable mushroom watering spike to make your plants *pop* with color while also keeping them moist between waterings. Headed out of town for the weekend? These ceramic cuties will keep your plant babies hydrated until you return.

    Reviewer's mushroom watering spike in plant pot
    Product photo showing mushroom watering spike
    Mountain Mudworks / Etsy

    Mountain Mudworks is a Colorado-based small business that began with a growing houseplant collection but not enough planter options to choose from! The future owners were determined to learn how to make their own creations, which eventually turned into Mountain Mudworks. The watering spikes are available in a ton of cute options, including mushrooms, garden gnomes, bunnies, cats, dogs, birds, and more. The shop also offers a great selection of unique planters and pots.

    Promising review: "It’s the perfect size and looks great! I’m looking forward to not having to worry about my office spider plant over the weekend, especially on long weekends." —allikuja

    Get it from Mountain Mudworks on Etsy for $20 (available in five colors).

    16. A self-watering planter so you don't have to constantly water those plants that get extra thirsty and need endless attention. The clip-on watering attachment prevents messes when you add water to the reservoir! You can easily remove it when you're done to keep your cool aesthetic intact 😎

    Reviewer's plant inside self-watering pot
    Reviewer holding watering attachment

    Another cool feature is that these planters are also self-aerating. There are additional large open slats integrated into the body of the planter, which helps maintain proper air circulation to reduce the risk of root rot.

    Promising review: "These pots work great. They provide water from a reservoir below that wicks up as the plant needs it. You can also remove the reservoir tray and place it directly in a sealed pot (one with no bottom drain) and use the pot as a reservoir. This solves the problem of plants that love well-drained soil and have to be watered every few days." —Team Mac

    Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in four sizes and five colors).

    17. A watering can set that'll take care of all your plant watering needs! You can pour water directly into the soil with the spout or you can use the detachable nozzle to gently shower your plants. You also get a little water bottle with a long spout to take care of those extra tiny plant babes.

    Reviewer holding light green watering can with spout
    Reviewer using small bottle with long spout to water smaller plants

    Promising review: "This watering can is exactly what I was looking for! I love having the option to water the soil directly or shower the plant using the attachment provided. The little watering bottle is also super convenient as well! I use it to water some of my succulents and cacti so the water doesn’t settle into the creases on their leaves." —Sunie

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in four colors).

    18. Miracle-Gro plant food spikes for truly ~effortless~ plant care. Insert the spikes into the soil and your plant will receive the nutrients it needs to grow! Remember to replace the spikes every 30 days in spring/summer and every 60 days in fall/winter.

    Reviewer's plant dropping
    Reviewer's plant perky

    Promising review: "New plant mom here! I was nervous about using this plant food for my peace lily, but I’m glad I gave it a try. It’s easy to use and a great value. The pictures speak for themselves! I just put a stick in my snake plant also, so hopefully it likes it just as much!" —Christine Ashley

    Get it from Amazon for $2.79+ (available in two styles and four pack sizes).

    19. Or Miracle-Gro liquid plant food if you like to be a bit more involved in your plant care routine. You can either add it directly to the soil or mix it into your watering can and apply it weekly. Yes, plant care really can be that easy!

    Amazon
    Reviewer's photo of plant receiving sunlight in the window
    Miracle-Gro liquid plant food bottle, www.amazon.com

    I was skeptical about using this liquid plant food because, well, it seems too good to be true. However, I've been using this on my houseplants during the spring and summer months and it did NOT disappoint. My plants always seem much happier shortly after applying this. More often than not, I'll even start noticing some new leaves starting to unfurl after using it. Love to see it!

    Promising review: "This is my favorite indoor plant food. It's quick, easy, and not messy. I usually water my plants and let them drain, then give them a squirt of this before the soil dries out too much. It even helps my indoor plants continue to grow in the off-season. I was also able to rejuvenate many of my mom's neglected plants with the help of this fertilizer. I use the blooming plant and succulent versions also." —Ms.Stella M.

    Get it from Amazon for $4.48+ (available in four pack sizes).

    20. A light meter so you can be a model plant parent and make sure your environment has *just* the right amount of light for your plants to live their best lives.

    This light meter measures both luminosity and ambient temperature. You'll have an easy-to-read digital LCD screen, min/max readings, data hold, auto power off, and low battery indication. Different plants require different amounts of light, so be sure to do your research and use this handy tool accordingly!

    Promising review: "Yaasssss! Why didn't I get this sooner? First off, they sent the meter with a set of batteries! Finally, a company that anticipates you needing batteries with the device! Second, it works perfectly. I know nothing about reading light for plants and this thing was super easy to use. I saw the readings, checked Google for what the levels meant and I was good to go!" —chris

    Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

    21. Some LED grow lights if you've just received the bad news that your plants aren't getting enough light. Don't panic! These LED grow lights will solve this problem and others. For instance, you'll never forget to give your plants light thanks to the auto on/off timing functions.

    These LED grow lights are designed to mimic sunlight at noon, which is ideal for most plants during all growth stages. The three auto on/off timing options are available at intervals of four, eight, and 12 hours. The time for each LED bar can be controlled separately. You're also able to adjust the brightness across five different settings. The sturdy clamp can be applied to various surfaces and the 360-degree adjustable gooseneck allows you to direct the light in any direction.

    Promising review: "I bought this for my beloved little tomato plant I was gifted late in the summer and didn’t want to lose to the winter weather. This indoor light is the easiest thing to set up, very self-explanatory. Works amazing! My plant has grown incredibly in the weeks that it’s been indoors. The timer setting has been a lifesaver. There are different brightness settings, which I’ve used on several different occasions based on my plants' needs. I can’t recommend this product enough." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

    22. A humidifier for your plants because proper humidity is just as important as the right light! It has a timer so you can ~set it and forget it~ when you're running out the door to buy more plants.

    Reviewer's humidifier releasing mist among plants
    Top of reviewer's humidifier

    This humidifier also functions as an essential oil diffuser if that's your jam! The extra-large water tank can hold up to five liters to ensure up to 60 hours of continuous runtime. Humidifier upkeep can be a pain, but this one has a top-fill design that's quick and easy to refill and clean. You can even add water without removing the lid! The built-in advanced water level sensor will automatically turn off the machine when water is running low. The set-and-forget timer ranges from two to 12 hours depending on just how misty you want your plants to be!

    Promising review: "I purchased this as a second humidifier for my plant room. I appreciate the size of the water tank and the timer option. The blue light isn’t overly bright. If you’re looking for a second humidifier or looking for quality at a great price, I suggest this one! It was worth the purchase." —Tiffany Rose

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

    23. A continuous mist spray bottle to increase humidity and make your plants perky and happy! Rather than an aggressive jet stream or having to repeatedly press the nozzle for a short burst of mist, this spray bottle delivers a continuous mist that'll make YOU happy, too.

    GIF of reviewer using continuous mist spray bottle on plants
    Reviewer holding spray bottle

    Promising review: "Easily one of the most enjoyable misters I've used. I grow a lot of indoor seedlings, herbs, and other plants so a good mister is important for keeping them free of fungi and growing happily. This mister has done amazing work. It produces a very fine mist and you can generate a consistent, continuous stream of mist to layer over plants with ease. It's pretty sturdy and easy to refill." —Alex

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in six colors and five sizes).

    24. And a pair of microfiber dusting gloves because no matter how misty you keep your plants, you'll eventually need to dust those leaves! These gloves make the process much easier and quicker so you can get back to enjoying your planty sanctuary ASAP.

    Reviewer's
    Reviewer's

    Promising review: "I bought these gloves to dust my plants with, and look at the difference between the before and after picture! These gloves fit well, are extremely soft and comfortable, and do a bang-up job against dust. Highly recommend. I ordered the four pack of gloves, which comes in a handy resealable storage bag."—Shannon T

    Get it from Amazon for $8.50+ (available in two glove sizes, six colors, and four pack sizes).

    25. A bag of soil cover that will not only make your plants look nicer, but is also great for creating humidity, improving moisture retention, protecting the soil, and improving drainage.

    Promising review: "I like these a lot! They look really nice, and it helps my plants! I'm using them on the top for humidity and trying to keep the gnats out. I will say, the one 5-lb bag covered four plants and the tray for one. If you're doing more plants, I would grab two or three bags." —Katie W.

    Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four colors).

    26. And a bag of Miracle-Gro perlite to add to your soil to ensure your plants don't fall victim to soil compaction. Soil that's not properly aerated won't provide a good growing environment, so don't sleep on perlite!

    Product photo of Miracle-Gro perlite
    Walmart

    When soil is not properly aerated, it becomes compacted and your plants will struggle to develop healthy roots. Adding a bit of perlite to your soil mix for potted plants will prevent soil compaction while improving aeration and drainage. This perlite is also enriched with Miracle-Gro plant food to give your babies an extra boost of nutrients!  

    Promising review: "This stuff is wonderful — it keeps air in the soil and keeps the soil from compacting, so the roots can travel a long way to get the nutrients and water they need." —beatnik92

    Get it from Walmart for $5.37.

    27. A pack of sticky traps in fun shapes such as sunflowers, butterflies, and cats so your plants can still be cute while battling insects! Bugs can be an unfortunate side effect of becoming a plant parent, but sticky traps are truly a lifesaver.

    Reviewer's yellow sticky trap in plant
    Reviewer holding yellow sticky trap full of flies

    Promising review: "I started some seeds indoors and started to notice lots of little flying gnats in the soil. These sticky traps are great, they worked just as I had hoped. I have ordered my second pack. They are keeping the gnat population in check. My seedlings aren't overrun with these little nuisances anymore. I'm sure they will work just as well outside." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three shapes and four pack sizes).

    28. And a bottle of mosquito bits if you want to get to the *root* of the problem. If you're ready to pull out all the stops to get rid of fungus gnats in your plants, you'll want a bottle of mosquito bits in your arsenal.

    I'll be honest with you, the number of fungus gnats I dealt with at the beginning of my plant journey was alarming. This may not happen to everyone, but when it does, it can suck the joy out of being a plant parent! Sticky traps worked great, but as someone who genuinely *hates* bugs, I was willing to try anything to defeat these pests. Mosquito bits can be placed directly on the soil OR you can steep them in water and use that to water your plants. This treatment controls the fungus gnat larvae already present in your soil, so you're getting rid of the suckers before they even start flying around. Important note: Be sure to read the label carefully and use caution as mosquito bits contain insecticidal toxins.

    Promising review: "This stuff worked like a charm. Soooo pleased! I steeped the bits in water for a couple of hours then watered my plants. I also sprinkled a bit on the soil surface of each of my plants so that I would get the effect of the product with each watering. I coupled Mosquito Bits with sticky traps as well. Within 2 weeks I went from seeing several gnats to maybe 1 to 2. I am considering incorporating mosquito bits into future soil mixes just as a preventative measure. 10/10 Highly recommend this product!" —Jennifer

    Get it from Amazon for $10.28+ (available in four sizes).

    29. AAAND a bottle of insect-killing soap for an extra layer of protection in your bug-fighting mission! Best of all? It's specifically made for use in organic gardening, so you can have peace of mind when using this product.

    Insecticidal soap is made with natural plant extracts that dehydrate and kill certain insects on contact. It's recommended to spray at the first signs of insects and their damage. Continue to apply regularly to keep your plants free of pests.

    Promising review: "This spray took care of our bonsai aphid problem.  We combined our strategy with the sticky traps and we have seen tremendous improvements. I really would suggest a dual approach if you are facing the same issues. Most importantly, this spray did not harm any of my bonsai or houseplants. And we have tried them on essentially all of them. Note: we have only been using this on indoor plants." —Michael

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in a six-pack).

    30. A mini plant tool set if you're seeking an all-in-one solution for your home gardening needs. It comes with 11 pieces, all of which fit inside the included bucket shovel. Whether you're watering, transplanting, cleaning, or trimming, this set has everything you need to start your plant journey!

    Photo of gardening tools being used to plant succulents
    Amazon

    This plant tool set comes with everything you need to work with soil including a shovel, spade rake, and a gardening potting mat. You also get a watering bottle, curved-tip tweezers,  straight-tip tweezers, scissors, pruning scissors, a cleaning brush, and a plastic bucket shovel.

    Promising review: "I love this set! It's perfect for my home gardening. It's got everything I've needed so far and makes repotting and pruning so easy. Love that all the tools fit inside the dirt scooper, it doesn't take up a lot of space, and it's easy to tuck away. The mat that comes with it is so convenient to contain the mess when repotting/planting. Great for small indoor plants." —Hira Waheed

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

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