Must-Have Tools for Taking Care of Houseplants

Having plants inside your home can be so enjoyable!

Not only do plants add interest to your home decor, they’re also beneficial to your health and well-being.

Like all living things, houseplants require tender loving care in order to grow and thrive. The lists below include essential tools (as well as some tools just for fun) that you need for the care of your plants. I’ve also included links to some of my favorite tools to help get you started.

The links in this post may contain affiliate links. I’ll receive a small commission (at no expense to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. 

Must-Have Tools

You’ve got the plants… now here are the tools.

Pots and Planters

Of course, every plant needs a pot or planter. The variety of pots is absolutely endless for houseplants! There are clay pots, ceramic pots, cement pots, plastic pots, and wood pots – just to name a few. Pots come in every color of the rainbow – match your pot to your plant, stick to a monochrome look, or go all out with an eclectic mix – the choice is yours.

I personally like to keep all my plants in white pots. I like the monochrome look and I feel that the white keeps the focus on the plant and its leaves, rather than on the pot.

For sources of inexpensive pots and planters, make sure to check out my other articles:

Where to Buy Awesome Planters and Pots Online for Your House Plants

Where to Buy Handmade Planters and Pots Online for Your House Plants

Styling Vintage Planters with Unique Houseplants

Potting Soil

Having the perfect blend of potting soil for indoor plants is important to the health of your plants. Soil that retains too much water – or too little – is not ideal for most houseplants. You can buy a variety of different potting soils and mix them to find a blend that works best for you. Some potting soils are an all-purpose mix that usually contains a combination of peat moss, compost, perlite, and pumice. This type of soil can work well for many plants. Another type of soil is a cactus and succulent mix, which is a quick-draining soil. It usually doesn’t have peat moss (or very little) and has more perlite or pumice.

I like using a succulent and cactus soil mix that is fast draining for almost all of my plants. I add perlite to some plants and peat moss to others as needed.

TIP: Excessively heavy bags of potting soil are probably either very wet or have a lot of sand in it. I would avoid these types of potting soil if you can.

TIP: Fungus gnats (tiny flying gnats) are common in bags of potting soil, unfortunately. When you open a bag of potting soil, look carefully and watch for these gnats to fly out. If you see them, I would not use that soil for your houseplants. Use it instead for outdoor plants, or return it for another bag. Where there are flying gnats, there is most likely eggs or larvae – a problem you do not want to intentionally start with.

Small Scoop, Trowel or Large Spoon

Most outdoor gardening trowels or scoops are too large to easily work with indoor plant pots, therefore a small scoop or large spoon, or small trowel is better to use when potting houseplants. Once you’ve put a layer of potting soil into a pot and added the plant, a large spoon makes it very easy to get the remaining soil in and around the plant.

I have two large vintage ice cream scoop spoons that I like to use with my houseplants. I like that they’re metal and will last for years to come. They also look pretty cool among my other houseplant tools – sort of a piece of home decor by itself.

You can find vintage ice cream scoops or spoons at thrift stores, flea markets, or vintage shops online.

TIP: To scoop the initial soil into a pot, an old plastic measuring cup works perfectly.

Tray (for potting)

Most people pot their houseplants indoors – usually on a kitchen counter or dining room table. To minimize the mess of spilled soil, I like to use a large tray. Not only does this help contain the mess, I can also pour any spilled soil back into the bag when I’m done. Using a tray like this is also great for storage – when you’re done potting and have cleaned up, store all your supplies on the tray and put the tray on a shelf in a pantry, cupboard, or closet, then just take it out again for the next houseplant you have to pot.

You don’t need anything fancy  – a large plastic or rubber boot tray works great! You can pick up these boot trays at most home improvement stores.

If you need something smaller, a compact tray made for planting might be a better solution for you.

TIP: In addition to using a boot tray for potting plants, I also use them as a water tray to store over-Winter outdoor plants. Any excess water that drains out of the large pots, goes into the tray until it evaporates. Sweet!

TIP: You can always use a cookie sheet pan if you don’t have either of these trays.

Watering Can

A watering can of some kind is very helpful – especially for watering plants that you can’t easily bring to the kitchen sink or bathtub.

There are many kinds of watering cans available – some made of glass, plastic, or metal. I prefer a watering can that has a long, narrow spout near the bottom of the watering can. This allows me to get the most water out of the can, and the long narrow spout allows me to get the water exactly where I want it in the soil. I also prefer a transparent or translucent watering can so I can see how much water I’m giving each plant. I think it’s a bonus if the watering can has measurements on it. I also think a watering can should look nice. Why not, right? When it’s part of your plant collection, it should be something you like to look at.

Having a watering can in each room that you water plants is helpful.

My favorite watering can is this Green Translucent Watering Can. It holds 1-liter of water (.25 gallons), is translucent, has embossed measurements in the plastic, and has a long metal spout. And, because it’s green, it also looks great sitting next to my plants. This same watering can is also available in clear plastic. I keep two of these watering cans in the kitchen, and one in the bathroom – they’re always handy when I need one.

Plant Mister

A water mister or spray bottle is perfect for lightly misting plants that love extra humidity.

You’ll want something that produces a very light mist, versus a heavy spray. A mister is also helpful for cleaning dust off plant leaves – something you’ll want to do periodically to help keep your plants healthy.

My all-time favorite water mister is this Flairosol Hair Spray Bottle. This mister is seriously amazing. It’s aerosol-free and sprays a very light, continuous mist. Each time you squeeze the handle, more water is released so you can get a continuous spray. Another thing I love about this mister is that it can be used at any angle, even upside down. This makes it great for reaching hard-to-reach spots on the plant. I keep one mister in my kitchen and another in each bathroom where plants are located.

Sharp Scissors or Trimmers

Any small sharp scissors or trimmer will work for pruning your houseplants. A pair of scissors is also helpful for snipping off leaves to propagate.

I like having vintage ornate scissors in my tool kit. I love the look of the scissors and it makes it even more fun for me to use them on plants. I especially love the vintage scissors that have leaves in the metal, like these.

TIP: Make sure to keep your scissors or trimmers clean after using them to ensure you don’t transport possible problems from one plant to the next.

Fertilizer

An all-purpose fertilizer is another must-have houseplant tool. Plants use the nutrients in the soil over time, and those nutrients need to be replaced in order for the plant to grow and thrive.

There are many brands of all-purpose fertilizers to choose from. Some are water-soluble and others are ready-to-use. Choose a fertilizer and type that work best for your plants.

I like the Jack’s Classic 20-20-20 brand. Just mix with water and apply directly to the soil for up to 4 months of nutrients. This fertilizer can also be used with outdoor plants.

I also use Miracle Grow Indoor Plant Food in a ready-to-use pump. Just pump once for a typical size pot and water as usual. Nothing to mix or measure.

Neem Oil

A bottle of Neem Oil is a must-have for getting rid of most houseplant pests. Just spray the neem oil directly on the pests or plant, and it will help control the problem.

In addition to helping houseplants, neem oil is also great to use on outdoor plants such as ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers. A very handy tool to have!

I like the Bonide brand of Neem Oil, as it’s a fungicide, miticide, and insecticide. It kills insect eggs, larvae, and adult insects and also prevents fungus. I also like that it’s approved for organic gardening.

Isopropyl Alcohol

70% or more Isopropyl Alcohol is another must-have tool when caring for houseplants. Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is an effective pesticide for aphids and mealybugs. Dip a cotton swab in the bottle and apply the isopropyl alcohol directly to the pest. This is a very effective method for killing the pests, as it coats the pests to kill them. You can also mix the alcohol with water and spray the affected parts of the plant. I recommend mixing 1 part alcohol to 9 parts water in a spray bottle.

Most plants won’t have a problem tolerating this alcohol. If you’re concerned your plant may react, dilute the alcohol solution slightly. Test a small spot of the plant to see if the alcohol affects the plant – if it does, do not spray the rest of the plant. Treat the pests locally with a cotton swab, as mentioned, or use Neem Oil.

Optional (But Oh So Helpful) Tools

Moisture Sensor, PH Tester, and Light Meter

Having a 3-in-1 soil tester is very helpful – especially when you’re unsure if your potting soil is too moist or too dry.

Just stick the probes into the soil of a potted plant and check out how your plant is doing. If the meter shows dry soil, you know it’s time to water your plant.

Of course, you can always stick your finger into the top inch of soil to measure the dryness the old-fashioned way, but when you have a tool like this, you can measure the soil moisture level down where the roots are, so there’s no question as to how dry (or wet) your soil is.

Grow Lights

There are lots of different kinds of grow lights and bulbs you can use with your indoor plants – it just depends on what your needs are. The idea is to find a bulb that emulates natural sunlight as much as possible. Full-spectrum bulbs produce a balance of cool and warm light. You can find full-spectrum bulbs in both LED or fluorescent bulbs – I prefer the LED bulbs as they’re more economical and better for the environment.

I personally prefer the white grow light bulbs (versus red or other colors). With white light, I can enjoy the lighting in the room while my plants bask in the light. I also prefer using a grow light bulb so that I can use it in any lamp.

Yellow Sticky Traps (for fungus gnats and other pests)

If you have fungus gnats in your house, you need these yellow sticky traps! Trust me, these simple things work! Flys and gnats are attracted to the yellow color. When they land on the trap, they get stuck to it – no more flying gnats.

Just push a sticky trap into the soil of an affected plant, and watch those gnats get caught. These traps work on adult flying gnats and other flying pests. In order to completely control fungus gnats, you also need to kill the eggs and larvae – which can be done with mosquito bits (see below).

Blue Sticky Traps (for thrips)

Thrips are not as common as fungus gnats, but if you have thrips, you’ll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible before they do damage to your plants. These blue sticky traps help.

Thrips are attracted to the blue color. Like the yellow sticky traps above, the thrips land on the blue traps and become stuck.

Just hang one of these traps near your affected plants and watch it fill up with thrips.

Mosquito Bits

Don’t let the name of this product fool you – these mosquito bits are not just for mosquitos. Mosquito Bits are very helpful in killing the eggs and larvae of fungus gnats and other pests.

Some houseplant enthusiasts mix the mosquito bits with water and then use that water when watering their plants. When I have a bad infestation of fungus gnats, I sprinkle a thin layer of these mosquito bits on top of the soil and then water as usual. This works very well for me, as each time I water, more of the mosquito bits are released into the soil.

You can find mosquito bits at most garden centers or home improvement stores.

Plant Markers

Plant markers are definitely not something you have to have, but they sure come in handy! Plant markers have lots of uses – use them to label new plants when you first get them, and to write down any special needs the plant may have. If you name your plants ‘pet names’, you could use the markers to include your pet plant’s name. Markers can also be helpful to keep track of the watering schedule for each plant. So many ways to use them!

I like using bamboo plant markers with my plants. They look nice in the pot, are easy to write on, and both sides can be used.

TIP: If you don’t want a plant marker in your pot, you could also use painter’s tape to write the details and stick the tape to the backside of the pot or the bottom of the pot. When using painters tape, fold over one end of the tape to stick the tape to itself to form a ‘tab’, making it easier to remove the tape when you need to.

Humidifier

Some houseplants need more humidity and moisture than most homes have available. Placing these kinds of plants in a bathroom or kitchen helps to give them the extra moisture from these rooms.

For humid-loving plants that you don’t want in these rooms, you need to bring the moisture to them. Using a small humidifier near your plants can help a great deal. If you have a room full of plants that need more moisture, a room humidifier can be a better option.

I prefer small humidifiers that I can place next to the plants that need the extra moisture. I also like the humidifiers to look nice in my decor. These decorative ceramic humidifiers work perfectly in my home.

Soil Test Kit

As with humidity, some plants require specific soil in order to grow and thrive. Having a soil test kit can be helpful for these plants.

A soil test kit can measure the pH and NPK levels, which will then give you information on how you can adjust the soil for optimum conditions.

A simple soil test kit like this one is handy to have in your houseplant tool kit.

Plant Stakes

Some plants need a little boost from time to time and a plant stake comes in handy. There are many types of plant stakes available, and many that are specifically made for houseplants. I think virtually any kind of stick or skewer can work as a plant stake – even chopsticks! Just insert the stake into the soil next to the plant, and allow the plant to lean on the stake. Sometimes you need to use a small twist-tie to attach the plant to the stake to better support the plant.

I like using simple bamboo skewers as plant stakes. They’re small enough to not be very noticeable in a potted plant, yet they’re strong enough to support almost every plant. I also like that I can cut them in half (or to length) to fit the plant I’m trying to stake up. They can be washed and reused many times and last practically forever. I don’t consider these bamboo skewers to be a growing stake like a moss pole would be, I simply use them to help plants stand upright when needed.

Grower’s Pots (drop into decorative pots)

If you have decorative pots that you want to use with your plants that don’t have drain holes, you can pot your plant in a grower’s pot, then slip the grower’s pot into the decorative pot. When it’s time to water, just slip the grower’s pot out, water and drain, then put the grower’s pot back into the decorative pot.

There are many types of growers pots available, in any size you need. When searching for growers pots, I highly recommend using a heavy-duty plastic versus a very thin and flimsy plastic. This helps support your plant when you take it in and out of the decorative pots.

I prefer a high-impact plastic pot versus some of the very thin growers pots available, for the reasons mentioned.

Apron

A full apron is a very handy tool to have when working with plants – both indoor plants and outdoor plants! Not only does the apron help keep your clothes clean, it has pockets that you can use to hold the tools you need.

I’ve been using this pocket apron for many years. I use it when potting new houseplants, as well as when I’m planting annuals outside. I also use the apron when I’m photographing products for my vintage store, or when I’m refurbishing home decor. This is seriously one of my most favorite aprons for practically anything when I need pockets. I actually have two of these aprons so I always have one clean to wear. I wouldn’t be without this “tool”!

Magnifying Glass

A handheld magnifying glass is very helpful when diagnosing problems with your houseplants. This lets you get an up-close view of any pests that might be on your plants, which will help you identify the pest so you can treat it. You can also view spots on leaves and other growing issues by using a magnifying glass.

I especially love a vintage magnifying glass – so much more fun to use. Trust me!

Glass Bottles/Jars/Test Tubes for Propagating Plants

Practically any container will work when you want to propagate your plants. Save your glass condiment jars, jelly jars, and yogurt jars, use thrift store vases or beverage glasses, use glass test tubes with a stand – the possibilities are endless!

Since water propagation can take a while, creating a propagation station that looks good in your home decor is important. Here’s one example you might like.

Pebble Tray

For plants that need extra humidity, you can create a pebble tray of water to use beneath the potted plant. As the water evaporates, it adds moisture to the air around the plant – a personal ‘spa’ for your plants.

An easy way to create a pebble tray is to use a clear plastic drip tray and a layer of small rocks or pebbles. Add water until the pebbles are submerged. Set the potted plant on top of the pebbles. If your pot has a drain hole, you’ll want to make sure the pot is sitting up, out of the water. Otherwise, the soil in the pot will absorb the water in the pebble tray, and this could lead to too much water for the plant. The idea is to have the water in the tray evaporate around the pot – not have the pot submerged in water.

I like using the plastic trays shown here, along with polished river rock – both from the Dollar Tree.

Pot Trays

I absolutely love having plastic drip trays on-hand. They are so helpful, for so many things!

Use them under pots that have drain holes in order to protect surfaces from excess water.

They also make excellent pebble trays (see above) to add humidity around plants.

I also like using the larger trays as a quick potting tray – it helps to contain spilled soil when I’m potting a new plant. I even use these trays to give air plants a good soaking – just add a little bit of water and your air plants will stay hydrated.

Plant Stands

Displaying your plants is one of the most enjoyable parts of having houseplants.

Some plants look best in large pots sitting directly on the floor. Some plants look their best dangling from hanging planters. And other plants look great sitting on a shelf or windowsill. The plant stand you choose should be strong and sturdy and should fit with your home decor.

I personally like using black metal plant stands, like this one. The metal is easy to clean, won’t get harmed if water spills on it, and the black makes the plants really stand out.

Extra Tools That Are Just Plain Cool

Water from a Stone (self-watering globes)

Keep your indoor plants perfectly watered with these water from a stone glass globes!

Each globe holds about 7-ounces of water. Fill the globe, then set it in your potted plant for 3-4 days of water.

Not only are these globes helpful, they also look really cool in your pots!

Grow Care Sticks

Now you can check your soil moisture and sunlight through wifi on your iPhone! Once this wifi sensor grow care stick is placed in your pot, you can analyze and track the plant growth on your iPhone.

This app also gives you tips on how to take care of your plants. How cool is that?!?!

Click the link (or photo) to watch a video on how these grow care sticks work.

Rolling Plant Caddies

Rolling plant caddies are so helpful – especially for large plants! You can use these caddies to roll your plants in and out of the sunshine as needed, as well as move your plants closer to the water source when it’s watering time.

Vintage Bell

Okay. I know this “tool” is kind of out-there, but it makes me smile, and I hope it makes you smile, too.

I like having a vintage hand bell to ring when I spot a new leaf on one of my houseplants. Crazy? Yeah, probably. But I find simple joy in spotting emerging new growth – something only a crazy plant person would understand. Find an old bell that fits your personality, and give it a try!

Do you have any additional suggestions for tools to add to this list? Share in a comment below!

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