(Part 2) Top products from r/houseplants

Everyone has different preferences but I bought a houseplant care book (specifically How Not To Kill Your Houseplant ) and maybe I just didn’t buy the right one but I didn’t really care for it. It was cute, I flipped through it once or twice, and then I literally never touched it again. There’s so much information available on plants online, specifically with regards to care instructions, that I find the book unnecessary. You can easily post to r/whatisthisplant or use a plant ID app (much less reliable but works somewhat) to identify plants. If you’re just trying to familiarize yourself with different species of plants, browsing plant subreddits is a good way to go.


If you want to be better at caring for plants in general, I’d highly recommend Botany for Gardeners. I haven’t finished it yet, but it really breaks down how plants work in a way that’s easy to understand but still highly scientific and in-depth. From plant anatomy, to how they grow and reproduce, this book will help you better understand your plants. It doesn’t give specific care tips, but I feel like I’ve gotten much better at caring for my plants since reading it. Far too often we’re told what to do or how to do it, rather than why we should be doing it. If you learn the way plants work, you’ll have a much better idea of how to help them when they start struggling!

I recently picked up a few of these and absolutely love them: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LG39B3M

Not hawking them, but not having to live with a purple glow all the time has been awesome, and my plants love it at least as much as the red/blues. I know a lot of people use them, but this little greenhouse / LED combo has been amazing as well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FZTKYXV

Always happy to share knowledge. :) All my lights are diy pendant lights so I don't have personal suggestions for clamp hood setups but here are a few suggestions:

Clamp light fixture - No personal experience with this one but it's a broader clamp hood to accomodate larger LED lights but they may poke out of the bottom of the hood. Ymmv


LED Light suggestions:

• Sansi - This is the light I use and I really like it. I have no useable windows in my apartment so all my plants are under 4 of these lights and they're all pushing out new leaves all the time. The monstera uses 2 bulbs as its become quite large. Sansi also makes this bulb in a couple lower watts if this one is too intense but you'll have to move your plants closer to the bulbs.
  
  
• GE - No personal experience with this one but the specs are really similar to the Sansi above. Btw/fyi, PPF/PPFD is a more accurate measurement of how much light is available for photosynthesis.
  
  
• iledlight - Again no personal experience but this looks like a super bright light, brighter than the Sansi or GE. I might consider buying this one to try on my monstera... 🤔
  
  Hope this helps and good luck! 🌱☘🍀

These are the ones in the pic, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073GRNGRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_aeDADbWKEBW3P . I have them on a timer and they have been reliable. I have a mix of light needs in that little corner, but they seem to keep things happy and stable through winter. Light growth, but good color retention until spring gets warm enough for the balcony. I can only recommend them because they work for me, but I can't say I know anything about grow lights.

I feel like every plant lover should have a set if these. Or if you don't know what to get your plant loving friend... Get them these.

I find awesone pots all the time for cheap at ross, or goodwill, then just drill my own holes! Free yourselves from the agony of a beautiful pot at a great price with nooo holeeesss.

Try cat scat mats!

It’s a sheet of plastic needles that hurt when your cat steps on them (no real injury), but have tones of space for air, light, and water to pass through. I’ve had great luck with them.

Like this: cat scat mat on Amazon

Not the vendor I used, just an example :)

hahaha I am TOTALLY being a helicopter parent with this plant. How odd, but I have no shame. :) Thank you for the encouragement! I do not have a moisture meter. Is this the type you are referring to?

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https://www.amazon.com/Alotpower-Moisture-Hygrometer-Outdoor-Battery/dp/B06XC6QD3B/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=moisture+meter+for+plants&qid=1558549066&s=gateway&sr=8-4

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I will take suggestions for any type you think works best. Seems like a simple addition to the plant room!

I have this bit set which was super cheap on Amazon, and I have used those to put drainage holes in TONS of ceramic pots! It's super easy, I spray water on them to keep the temp down while drilling, and take it at a medium speed.

My tip for starting the hole (that's the hard part), is to start at an angle, get a groove in it, and slowly tilt the drill up until the circle is flat on the surface. I haven't broken or cracked one yet. :)

Voila My Thirsty Friends :)

Jk - It’s all love. I share the same thirst! 😂

On that note if anyone has a lead on a watermelon peperomia that’s not a ridiculous price i’d be ever so grateful!!

just make them! it’s WAY cheaper than buying them.


take your bamboo stake and measure how much of the stake will be in the soil (it should hit the bottom of the pot), then from the soil line up start wrapping the pole with gardening wire and adding sphagnum moss under each wrap as you go up the post. once the whole post is covered i use some scissors to give the moss a lil trim to clean it up and that’s it!

definitely use sphagnum. This is the best sphagnum i’ve found.

before starting to wrap the pole in sphagnum moss you must let the moss soak up water to allow it to be workable.

once the moss post is finished, make sure the nodes on your monstera are lined up with the moss post. this is where the aerial roots will start growing into the moss.

if you have any questions let me know. i’ve made a ton of them.

I just started getting into houseplants too! I borrowed houseplant books from my local library, below is the list based on what I like the most:

1. How Not to Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged https://www.amazon.com/dp/1465463305/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_D158AbDJT2C9R
   
   
2. What's Wrong With My Houseplant?: Save Your Indoor Plants With 100% Organic Solutions (What’s Wrong Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1604695900/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i358AbYWR88X7
   
   
3. The Indestructible Houseplant: 200 Beautiful Plants that Everyone Can Grow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z8CQ9WI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0358AbSV1EE8A
   
   To fit more plants into my budget, I buy mostly starter plants. Less heartbreak if I fail taking care of them and more satisfaction when I see new growth.
   
   Check out Walmart and Home Depot in addition to local nurseries, some places have a great selection with lower price (compared to nurseries).

Century Indoor 24-Hour Mechanical Outlet Timer, 3 Prong, 2-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LPSGBZS?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

(Pack of 6) Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 4FT, 2200lm, 6500K (Super Bright White), 20W, Utility Shop Light, Ceiling and Under Cabinet Light, Corded electric with built-in ON/OFF switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Hgrope 5W LED Grow Light Desk Lamp Clamp Flexible Neck for Hydroponic and Indoor Plants https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CVKWZH3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7ZEaBbZSW8ASJ


this last one isn't the exact red/blue lights i have but it looks better than mine hahaha

They're these guys: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FZTKYXV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

An absolute steal. As you can see, they're super pink. I'm sure our neighbors are wonder what exactly we're growing at this point! The orchids are going bonkers now! I have nothing but good things to say about these lights. They're incredibly lightweight. I did zip ties on the wire shelves and the included contact strips for the walls. You can rig multiple lights together, or do individual lights. The price was pretty much perfect. I ordered two boxes (12 lights total) and still have two lights left (looking for the right spot).

Amazon - 14W LED Grow Light, New Dual Head Desk Clip Lamp Warm White Light with Swivel 360 Degree Adjustable Gooseneck and One Switch, Warmwhite Comfortable Light for Indoor Plants at Home and Office https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9C9485/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6NWGDbVPP4R64 😊

I just purchased this pack of 4 CFL bulbs for $20! I was looking into LEDs, but I needed multiple bulbs and LEDs are a bit more expensive. They can be used in regular lamps and has pretty good reviews on amazon!

I don't know, mine works very well. Maybe yours is broken?

Sorry, on my phone but I have this one: Sonkir Soil pH Meter, MS02 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Tester Gardening Tool Kits for Plant Care, Great for Garden, Lawn, Farm, Indoor & Outdoor Use (Green) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07BR52P26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KP-wDbHT4Q2K7

It will work. Fluorescent lights are good because they emit a broad part of the spectrum, vs LEDs which typically produce light much closer a specific wavelength and do not emit much outside of that. Plants like the broad spectrum light, and typically 6500K is a good color temperature for plants. I use these:

Philips 433557 100-watt Equivalent, Bright White (6500K) 23 Watt Spiral CFL Light Bulb, 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6SR1JM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V8W-BbJ5Z53KG

I just drilled my own holes for the first time yesterday! I was in the same spot, so many pretty pots but no drainage. I bought this set off Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-00823A-Diamond-Drill-Piece/dp/B00ODSS5NO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=diamond+drill+bits&qid=1564513905&s=gateway&sprefix=diamond+dri&sr=8-3
I drilled 3 different pots yesterday and it was super quick and easy. The world will be your oyster!

I have all my plants in porous clay or terracotta pots and I'm probably watering the varieties you mentioned about every 10 days to 2 weeks. They do get completely dry in between, but as long as the plant isn't drooping, I wait.

I also use a moisture meter -- I find it's great to use in larger pots because sometimes the soil looks dry on top, but it's still wet deep inside the plant, so it helps prevent over-watering.

A little late but This is my setup, it aint pretty but it was pretty cheap.

IKEA Clamp Lamp
got mine on sale for $7

Socket Extender $2.74

Twin Socket Adapter $2.48

Phillips 6500k CFL Bulbs 4 pack for 10 bucks

Aluminum Roasting Pan Found in any supermarket, got mine for 89 cents

All told it was about $15 for each rig. I've set up 2 so far and they've worked great.

So I work with classified stuff in a room with no windows. I have a few plants: a succulent, a shamrock, a peperomia, a dieffenbachia, Chinese evergreen, a polka dot and Brazil Philo and they are doing very well with this light. 14W LED Grow Light, New Dual Head... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9C9485?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I love this light since it's pretty affordable for a non purple, white light.

It looks very healthy right now. In your second pic, it looks like there two limbs that reaching up and wanting to climb but you don't have anything to help it along. You need to make a decision as to whether you want the leaves to climb upward or hanging down. Perhaps, a plant hanger?

https://www.amazon.com/AOMGD-Macrame-Outdoor-Hanging-Decorations

Sonkir Soil pH Meter, MS02 3-in-1 Soil Moisture/Light/pH Tester Gardening Tool Kits for Plant Care, Great for Garden, Lawn, Farm, Indoor & Outdoor Use (Green) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BR52P26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FgLiDbZFW49K4

These aren’t the same lights, but if you’re looking for specific grow lights to chain together like this, I can recommend these: [6-Pack] LED Grow Light Strips for Plants 2FT, 60W (6 x 10W) t5 High Output Integrated Fixture Extendable 24 Inches Grow Lights for Greenhouse, Plant Grow Shelf, Easy Installation https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZTKYXV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_h-pJDbD7RGXM3

Costa Farms Raven ZZ Trending Tropicals Collection Live Indoor Plant, 12-Inch, White Décor Planter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXZ5GVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2daJDbZT9PM0T

Mine just came today and it’s gorgeous :)

How do you really use those? I bought this one from amazon and I compared it to putting my finger a little bit deeper in the soil (as in not just placing my finger on top) and it pretty much read that the moisture was in the middle for all of them, even when I just watered and even when they needed watering. It has good reviews though so I'm not sure if it's just the meter.

The one on the right is this GE bulb which is super heavy and expensive-ish but it’s doing its job. I have like ten of these ones that are cheaper for the rest of my apartment.

My husband made it, but this was the inspiration

shelf

GE is the best! I have so many.

GE Lighting 93101230 9-Watt BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants, Full, Balanced Spectrum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NN6SVG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sJ3ZDb2NX6ZW5

GE Lighting 93101232 32-Watt PAR38 LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants, Full, Balanced Spectrum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NNT3G7J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QK3ZDb65S42K7

You can always supplement with full spectrum white grow CFL lightbulbs, I have a couple and plants love them especially my props and seedlings. I got them on amazon

Thanks! My mom got them for me on Amazon, here’s a link!

Philips 433557 100-watt Equivalent, Bright White (6500K) 23 Watt Spiral CFL Light Bulb, 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M6SR1JM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pmtUCb8TKMJPN

These have been doing well for me with some clamp lights

Yep. Here are links to everything I bought off Amazon for this including some of the pots.

Shelf:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3PVY17/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Holders:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0DDKL7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L8TBZLD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BQZ8S7V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pots:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HRMBL9C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073S5C2PN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G5Y4QZ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PD9X9WL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I forgot the link! This is my favorite

I found it HERE on AMAZON:

https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Customizable-Bathroom-Shelving-UBCB93Y/dp/B01G6QZ7KO/ref=sr_1_7?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1549168625&sr=1-7&keywords=Plant+Stands

Looks like this one here.

Something like this could work until you could splurge for a bigger one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9C9485/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_coI7CbHFK2ZT9

Currently using [3 of these guys] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_zbnXBb08TPT7Z) in a DIY bench. They're 6500k and have been working out really well for my plants. My ficus seedlings seemed to be getting too much light so I've also made a shade cloth with cheap netting fabric.

Downside is they're 48" long. But the pack brings 6 for $40. Each bulb is only 20W. Running 3 for 12hrs/day will only cost me ~$3. Highly recommended.

I use these and they work well for me! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HBT3BVM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I ordered one from here, its arriving Thursday! Not a bad deal, a couple other people on this sub mentioned this link too
Https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXZ5GVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ofpKDbZ7A2VT1

It’s a little trellis I bought off amazon!

Seway Garden Metal Trellis,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJ93Q5Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

How Not to Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged https://www.amazon.com/dp/1465463305/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DdPhDb764KBEM

Here ya go. https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Sphagnum-Moss-grams/dp/B00C25R3UG/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1511904477&sr=8-9&keywords=sphagnum+moss

Hold up is it this one??

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXZ5GVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0eSEDb09XAEYS

Looks similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/Modern-4-Panel-Bookcase-Divider-Display/dp/B073WPW4J9?

Here you go!

Modern Dark Brown Wood 4-Panel Open Bookcase Room Divider, 4 Tier Display Shelf Rack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WPW4J9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6YGXDbMCS5GFF

I use this: https://www.amazon.com/Lovebay-Adjustable-Hydroponics-Greenhouse-Connectable/dp/B073GRNGRM/ref=sr_1_5?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1541112689&sr=8-5&keywords=grow+light+plants

From Amazon !

AMERICAN PLANT EXCHANGE Tricolor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KZB7KRK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I use this one,
Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BR52P26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CcTPCbC2B1JJ5

Here you - it's available from a few different sellers, I believe: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KJ93Q5Q/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A2PYKMT4TWL5CV&psc=1

Is it this one Or this one
Maybe it’s something entirely different

sorry for the late reply - they're these ones

All I want is a simple metal trellis for my monstera adansonii. The company that made the trellis' in the picture (Trellis Works) seems to have gone out of business a few years ago. Their website is dead, and their tumblr/instagram/pinterest haven't been updated since 2016.

The closest I could find is this on Amazon, but I'd like more options :(

Bought it here. https://smile.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Customizable-Bathroom-Shelving-UBCB93Y/dp/B01G6QZ7KO/

I'm having some frustration right now because my bigger plants don't fit

I bought this place from Lowe's and it looked fantastic. The leaves were not so droopy and there were a lot more. The other day it wasn't looking so good, yellow/dead leaves. So I thought I'd go ahead and repot it. I've repotted it and gave it a few sprits of water and it still hasn't gotten any better after a few days. It's actually looking worse than when I repotted.

What am I doing wrong? How can I save this poor plant? I'm afraid of watering it too much. I have it between two windows where some sunlight comes through some kind of blackout curtains (they're not fully blackout curtains, just block a lot of sunlight.

Should I water it and put it under this light for a day? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AKKUZ7I?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

AMERICAN PLANT EXCHANGE Tricolor Stromanthe Easy-to-Grow Live Prayer Plant, 6" Pot, Indoor/Outdoor Air Purifier! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KZB7KRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AXPJDbTWK1722


Looks like they amped her to $20 — but still such a steal! - i thought it was going to be smaller