Okay, so I’ve been getting really into houseplants lately. Like, my apartment is starting to look a bit like a jungle. But with all these new leafy friends, I realized I needed to up my tool game. So, I started my own research and trail!
Getting My Hands Dirty (Literally)
First things first, I needed something to actually, you know, plant the plants. For years, I’d just been using a kitchen spoon or my bare hands – totally amateur hour. So I grabbed a basic trowel and a smaller hand rake. The trowel is a lifesaver for digging holes and moving soil around without making a huge mess. And the little rake? Perfect for smoothing out the soil and getting rid of any clumps.

I also picked up some gardening gloves. At first, I was like, “Nah, I don’t need those, I like feeling the dirt!” But after a few prickly encounters with some, uh, less-than-friendly plants, I changed my tune real quick. Gloves are a must.
Watering Woes (and Solutions)
Watering was my next big challenge. I used to just use a drinking glass, which resulted in either not enough water or, more often, a total flood. So I got myself a watering can with a long, skinny spout. Game changer! It lets me get right to the base of the plants without drowning the leaves. I also have a spray bottle for misting because, i found some of my plants are really like that, and it also keep them happy.
Keeping Things Tidy
- Pruning shears: I learned the hard way that you can’t just rip off dead leaves. You need to snip them cleanly to avoid damaging the plant.
- A little brush and dustpan: For sweeping up any spilled soil. My apartment’s small, so every little mess shows.
The End result, Maybe?
So, my little toolkit is put together. Now, when i look at all my plants, I have a basic tools to keep them alive. It’s made the whole plant-parenting thing way more enjoyable, and way less messy. I’m sure I’ll probably add more stuff as I go, but for now, this is working great!