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Indoor gardening is a lot of fun, but it can be very challenging. You have to work with a limited amount of space and often need to resort to container gardening or even vertical gardening.
To keep your plants happy inside your home, you need some special tools. We’ve curated the best gardening tools that are sure to make indoor gardening the fun adventure it is.
By scrolling down, you’ll be able to see what other tools are missing from your current collection. We’ve also made sure to choose only the best of each type of indoor gardening implement.
Top 25 Indoor Gardening Tools You Should Own
Hand Pruner
If you love gardening, then hand pruners are a MUST! There is a dizzying variety of hand pruners. There are those made especially for weak hands, small hands, or big hands. Some cut thick branches while some trim delicate stems. There are also different types of pruners.
Bypass pruners make clean cuts and prevent damage to branches. Anvil pruners are for cutting deadwood. Ratchet pruners cuts woods in stages and are good for weak hands. Double cut pruners are for trimming delicate plant material. Loppers are long handled pruners.
These Gardener's Friend Pruners are very popular. They're ratchet pruners that are very ideal for small or weak hands. The blades are very sharp and can be used to cut things from flowers to 3/4 inch branches.
Hand Rake
Hand rakes are very useful for small and tight spaces spaces or when you're working close to the ground. Unlike regular-sized rakes, hand rakes have shorter handles and narrower heads so they can be used to gather leaves and moss or even break up compacted soil in awkward places.
This Gardener's Claw Rake is highly recommended. It has 5 stainless steel tines and an ergonomic wooden handle. Aside from raking, keeping flower beds tidy, and loosening soil, other gardeners share how they use this little buddy to pick up old mulch or even dog poop that they don't want to handle with their hands.
Hand Fork
You might not think you need to add this to your indoor gardening tools, but it can come in handy. Any gardener would need a reliable hand fork to nip weeds, aerate or cultivate their soil, or even to plant or transplant seedlings. This DeWit Forged Hand Fork is one of the best in the market.
Hand-forged, tempered boron steel tines makes it durable and sharp. As for the handle, I find that the ash hardwood choice is appealing, offering a comfortable grip and a complementing shape.
Hand Trowel
Another gardening tool must-have is a reliable hand trowel. This Ames Hand Trowel can take care of indoor tasks like digging, planting, and soil-turning.
You can see ergonomics as a trend for the hand tools we’ve picked, and this one is no different. It has a large handle with gel inserts on the sides for comfort. On the top, you’ll find contoured finger grips which are designed to reduce your hand and wrist fatigue.
The head is stainless steel and is sturdy enough to dig through hard clay, soil, roots, and small rocks.
Transplanter
While trowels or hand forks might do the trick, a transplanter is your best option when it comes to transplanting plants.
This Big Grip Transplanter by Fiskars has a padded and oversized handle for a more comfortable grip. The gradation marks are also useful for when you’re setting down seeds.
Its head is made from polished cast-aluminum with a sharpened edge. This should resist rust and neither bend nor break with tough soil.
Indoor Watering Can for Small Plants
Water your small plants in style with this Homarden Watering Can. The design is retro-inspired, and nothing complements that more than the copper color which makes it stand out.
This watering can is constructed from stainless steel with a large handle and a lengthy watering spout. It holds about 1.3 liters of water which should be ideal for an average amount of small indoor plants.
Indoor Watering Can for Big Plants
I really like the simple design of this watering can. It’s adorned with a flower pattern that pops up in the simple design. To make it more durable, the can is constructed from shatterproof, recycled, and UV-protected plastic, and is made in the USA. It also has embossed measurements on its side.
The watering can has a capacity of about 1-gallon to cover all of your indoor plants. It has a loop handle for a comfortable grip and precise control. This is complemented by the long-stem spout, which allows you to control water flow, especially with the small opening.
Grow Tent
A If you’re looking to grow produce in cold and gloomy weather, need to germinate seeds, or need to protect them from diseases, insects or persistent rabbits, you can get a growing box to add to your indoor gardening tools. A grow tent is a contraption that lets you safely grow plants indoors. It has a frame made of light but strong metal poles and thick canvas. The inside is highly reflectorized and it keeps odor in. (Odor is not a problem if you’re growing tomatoes, but if you’re growing weed, this is an up side of a growing box.)
VIVOSUN makes really good grow tents that come in different sizes. Each tent is light-proof, as it’s lined up with 100% reflective mylar to produce a lighting setup of any power configuration you choose. You can seal it up with zippers that have privacy flaps over them.
There’s a viewing window on the front to allow you to monitor the plant as you wish. As complex as it may sound, the growing box is straightforward to clean up and to assemble. Do note though that grow tents come with maintenance costs.
Label Maker
A label maker is one of the best indoor gardening tools? Why? You can use this to label the potting mixes or any seedlings you have to avoid any confusion.
This lightweight personal labeler packs a lot of versatility. It can print up to 2 lines on labels that are 12 milliliter wide. It has 14 fonts, 97 frames and 600+ symbols. The LCD display makes it easy to use, together with a QWERTY keyboard. You can use it with batteries or if you won’t use it on the go, you can buy the optional AC power adapter so you don’t have to worry about batteries.
Clean Plant Food and Fertilizer
Plants need fertilizers so you need a go-to fertilizer. For indoor gardening, we highly recommend Joyful Dirt. It is concentrated fertilizer that is sustainable, clean and pure. You can use it on your house plants, vegetable and herb gardens, or even lawns once a month. It’s EXCELLENT for reviving dying plants but for that purpose, you’d have to use it more often.
It is very easy to use. Just apply a small amount on the surface of the soil and water. If you will mix it with water, make sure to use up everything as it isn’t good when it’s not freshly mixed.
Word of caution: Most gardeners and plants love this product but if you are using it for the first time, test it on one plant first and use sparingly. If your plant likes it and you yourself don’t experience allergies or similar discomfort, expand use. We highly advice caution when using fertilizers and other plant material for indoor gardening.
Moisture Meter
You need to have a moisture meter amongst your indoor gardening tools. Most plants require well-drained soil. That is, soil which steadily drains water and which remains neither soggy nor dry. A moisture meter can help you achieve this balanced moisture.
The Onpiece Soil Moisture Tester is an accurate humidimetre that will be of great benefit to your indoor plants. Not sure when to water? Simply stick the moisture meter in your soil and check the gauge. You can use it outdoors or indoors, and it doesn’t even need batteries.
Dedicated Water Meter
I am adding my current favorite moisture meter because it’s my favorite find for 2022. It’s relegated my old water meter to its dusty shelf because we love this super easy and super fun watering device.
Unlike regular water meters, you place a SUSTEE pen near the main stem of each indoor plant. When the plant has enough moisture, the pen will display a blue window. When it turns a full white, then you know it’s time to bust out the watering can. I like how it’s so easy to read and that I no longer worry about damaging my beloved plants’ roots.
I wrote a full review here after using my pens for months.
Tiered Plant Stand
What’s the point of having beautiful indoor plants if you can’t show them off? The unho Metal Plant Stand is ideal for that purpose.
This four-tier stand is decorated with elegant iron art. It’s constructed from stainless steel to be rust-resistant and to hold up to 8–10 kg per stand. To make it even sturdier, the stand employs a triangle mechanics design with thick materials.
It can also be disassembled and folded away for storage.
Self Watering Pots
Who knew plant pots could get this sophisticated? The Santino Self Watering Planter is a stylish and cool-looking planter that has excellent features.
The company promises four weeks of self-watering, so you can save time and relax when you’re away from home. It even has a water level indicator to keep you informed.
Thanks to its excellent drainage, the soil moisture remains consistent, and the roots stay healthy. A proper system is employed for good air circulation.
Cache Pots
The Fasmov Round Modern Ceramic Garden Flower Pot is one of the best cache pots out there. It comes as a set of 3 different sizes, each white, round, and adorned with ribbed circles. I like this minimalist look, it’s easy to see it pop in a room.
Despite the focus on aesthetics, the pot doesn’t compromise function. They all have drainage holes in case you decide to use them as the primary planter.
Dimensions in inches:
Large: 6.5 (D) 5.3 (H)
Medium: 5.2 (D) 4.3 (H)
Small: 3.8 (D) 3.2 (H)
Clay Pots
Terracotta pots are great for plants because they’re porous and let water and air circulate. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, and they offer a balance between weight and sturdiness.
These Yishang pots come as a set of 6 pots. They are 5.5 inches tall with a 5.5-inch outside top diameter. Each pot is equipped with a saucer for surface protection. They come well-packed with none broken.
Plant Trays
Saucers are essential for pots to protect the surface on which they’re placed and in most cases, they’re included. However, that may not apply to the old pots you have at home or the newer, more attractive pots you may have just bought.
The Idyllize 5 Pieces Saucer is an excellent tool to have at your disposal in such cases. I view them as the ideal coaster for your precious pots. They’re 8-inch in diameter and made from 100% recyclable clear plastic (PET).
Being extra-thick, it offers protection, is long-lasting, and is reliable.
Mini Trellis
Get these mini trellises if you’re growing any small plants that creep or climb. You can also make plants with long or scraggly stems look neater with these trellises.
They are very easy to use. Just stick them onto a pot or fix them on the wall using the built-in slots. You can stack up to 2 of these trellises in case your plants grow taller.
You can use them for potted fruits, vegetables, herbs, roses, monsteras, or pothos. Do note that these are small though; about 10 inches in height.
Grow Lights
The GrowLED Indoor Garden is an excellent grow lights option that can help you stimulate your plant’s growth. The height of the lighting LED can be adjusted based on your requirements. It also has an automatic smart timer to save energy while providing the plant with what it needs.
It comes with a default 16 hour on and 8 hours off system which is ideal for photosynthesis stimulation and also gives it time to rest. Each grow light can house up to three planters.
Mister
Many indoor house plants come from tropical or subtropical regions. As any good gardener knows, to make a plant happy, one has to simulate a plant’s environment. This is where a mister comes in. It gives your indoor plants that touch of moisture and humidity they need so they don’t dry out.
This beautiful vintage plant mister by Ebristar is perfect for beginners. It is just the right size for watering your small house plants (7 ounce capacity) and has a ring-finger holder for an easier grip. There are also several beautiful glass designs to choose from.
This gives out a very fine mist. If you’re getting a squirt of water instead, adjust the nut in front of the misting hole.
Plant Caddy
Plant caddies are very useful for those who like to move their plants around. It’s an essential item among your indoor gardening tools unless you plan to lug your heavy potted plants around.
This particular Devault 3012B Plant Dolly has a 12-inch diameter base which is designed to carry an impressive load of 500 pounds. I like how this design features rubber wheels which are there to prevent damage to your flooring.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of neem trees and is a natural pesticide. The product also doubles as a leaf shine to keep your plants all attractive and dolled up. This makes it an ideal indoor gardening tool.
If you have a lot of plants and are likely to use it for outdoors too, get your neem by the gallon to save up on money. However, if you only have a few houseplants, it’s more convenient to get smaller bottles that come with a sprayer like Emily’s Naturals. This spray kit only has two ingredients: 100% cold-pressed neem and castile soap. It makes 48 ounces in total.
The smell should go away after about a day. Neem oil could work as a cure for mites and other pests. Plus, it would do fine as a preventative measure as well.
Gravel or Pebbles
If you’re after the natural look, I think decorative pebbles make a neat finish to indoor plants.
These Natural Decorative Pebbles I’ve picked out come in different colors and shapes. The gravel size is small, an average of about 3/8 of an inch per pebble, which makes it ideal for small and medium containers.
The mix of colors adds vibrancy to the plant. They’re polished then coated with pure paraffin wax to bring out the color. Don’t worry about artificial dyes or oils—these are natural stones with a little wax and should be 100% eco-friendly.
Moss Pole
Another alternative to a mini trellis is a moss pole. If you are the proud owner of monsteras, pothos, or other beautiful creeping plants, then you need a couple of these moss poles for your indoor garden.
I like using moss poles because they resemble the mossy bark that these plants like to grow. Because they are vertical poles, they also train vines and branches to climb their way upward making them ideal for small spaces. Because they look very natural, they’re very pleasing to the eye, too.
Heat Mats
The idea behind heat mats is to emit gentle heat to flowers, which in turn accelerates germination and enhances seedling growth. It allows you to control the climate of the plant’s environment if soil temperature is not ideal.
I picked the Hydrofarm CK64060 Jump Start Heat Mat because it has a balance of features, that I think should satisfy your needs. The 11 by 22 inches is my size of choice, and it includes a 7-inch dome to accommodate taller plants. The base tray is watertight and has a 72-cell seedling insert.
Terrarium Tools
These are some of the best indoor gardening tools for terrarium care. For a very affordable price, this miniature tool set includes a ton of stuff: 1 Watering bottle(500ml), 2 Cleaning brushes, a Pair of curved tip tweezers, a pair of straight tip tweezers, a Leaf trimmer, an Air dust blower, 2 Transplanting tools, 2 Bucket shovel sets , 3 Rake spade shovels, and a 300 ml spray bottle.
You can use these tools for taking care of your succulents, bonsais, small plants, or terrariums.
If you want to know how to set up a terrarium, take a look at this video:
Conclusion
Indoor gardening is a very rewarding and beneficial pastime. Taking the effort to perfect your techniques are all part of the fun. Yet, having the best gardening tools on hand makes the whole process a joy.
More Excellent Gardening Tools For You
