However, if you speak to plant professionals they’ll probably have tools and items that they use to help assist them with these duties. And that’s where you’ll start to find the differences. One person may swear by a moisture meter — never waters their plants without using one first! — and another may have a favorite pest control method to warn off fungus gnats. There are so many different items out there that can help you care for your plants, so we asked the plant pros which ones they wish they’d bought sooner. Here’s what they had to say. While you can of course always use a simple stick or garden stake, it can be hard to get the plant to actually stay put where you want it to. Why not use something a little flashier with more support options? “Something I wish I’d bought sooner is Plant Sticks — If your plants aren’t cooperating and need a little help standing up straight, Plant Sticks have got your back,” says Puneet Sabarwal, CEO and co-founder of Horti. The supports come in a set of three different heights and shapes and are made of brass. They’re not only functional, but incredibly stylish, so they’ll fit into your home decor better than a stick. “Keep your plants tall and proud, supporting them as they grow,” encourages Sabarwal. Rooting hormones can help roots grow. They come in powder, water, or gel form. “Propagating can be tough at times and when not successful it can be a waste of plants and time. That is never fun for your confidence or for the plants," says Aulton. “After using a rooting hormone to help in the rooting process my success rate went way up along with my confidence level.” “I wish I would have bought multiple varieties of plant pest control sooner—better safe than sorry,” says Bryana Sortino, COO and co-founder of Horti. There are a number of different plant pest control products. Mosquito Bits, used to control mosquitos, can also help get fungus gnats under control—no soil replacement necessary—and it won’t harm your plants. If you want to use something organic, neem oil works great, too.
