Subscribe to The Jungle Haven on YouTube
Claire, a passionate plant enthusiast, shares her top tools and products that make her life as a plant parent easier and more enjoyable. With years of experience and trial and error, she’s gathered a list of items that keep her plant collection thriving. Here are some of her favorites, along with tips on how to use them effectively:
1. Heavy-Duty Shower Shelves
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
Claire recently discovered heavy-duty shower shelves that stick onto glass, allowing her to optimize light for her plants without taking up valuable floor space. These transparent shelves are perfect for plants that need plenty of sunlight and come with in-built drainage. Though Claire only has two at the moment, she’s already ordered more to help keep her space organized and her plants happy.
2. Microfiber Gloves for Dusting
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
Keeping plant foliage clean is crucial for optimal photosynthesis, and Claire swears by microfiber gloves. They simplify the dusting process and make it easy to remove dirt and dust from plant leaves. Claire emphasizes the importance of pest-checking before using these gloves to avoid spreading unwanted critters from one plant to another.
3. Liquid Gold Leaf Fertilizer
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
A plant care staple in Claire’s collection is Liquid Gold Leaf fertilizer. What sets this product apart is its focus on soil health and long-term plant support. Unlike many store-bought fertilizers, this organic product doesn’t harm beneficial microbes and living organisms in the soil. Claire uses it for all of her plants and highly recommends it for balanced, sustainable growth.
4. Glue Gun and Macrame Cord
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
For a creative and budget-friendly way to beautify her plant pots, Claire uses a glue gun and macrame cord. This DIY method allows her to transform plain nursery pots into stylish pieces without breaking the bank. It’s a fun, easy way to save money while adding a personal touch to plant displays.
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
5. Live Sphagnum Moss
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
Claire recommends using untreated live sphagnum moss from Soil Ninja. This moss helps replicate natural growing conditions for plants, providing a great environment for growth without harmful chemicals. Claire loves the quality of this product and even shares how viewing it under a microscope revealed beneficial microscopic organisms that contribute to plant health.
6. Sprayer Bottle
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
A fine-mist sprayer bottle is another essential tool for Claire. She uses it to mist her plants, rehydrate moss poles, and keep humidity levels optimal. The sprayer delivers a consistent mist, which helps open up the moss for better water absorption.
7. Oven Tray for Watering
Claire uses an oven tray or grill as part of her watering routine. She places it over a washing-up bowl to collect water runoff when watering her plants. This method helps her conserve water, especially when using fertilizers like Liquid Gold Leaf, allowing her to reuse the water for other plants.
8. Horticultural Soap
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
For a natural approach to pest control and plant cleaning, Claire uses horticultural soap from Ladybird Plant Care. This gentle, chemical-free product is great for cleaning leaves and treating pests without harming the plants.
9. Plastic Cups and Containers
Claire reuses plastic cups and containers for propagation and slow-release watering. She uses them on top of her moss poles, poking a small hole in the bottom to allow slow drainage. Claire also uses them for creating mini-propagation environments, demonstrating their versatility in plant care.
10. Photo Plus Foliar Spray
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
Another favorite product is Liquid Gold Leaf’s Photo Plus, a foliar spray that enhances photosynthesis. It maximizes the amount of light plants can absorb, making it especially useful for plants in low-light conditions or during winter. Claire has seen great results using this spray, particularly after moving to a less sunlit space.
11. Predatory Mites
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
To manage pests naturally, Claire uses predatory mites as part of her biological pest control routine. She scatters these mites around her plants to prevent infestations of spider mites and thrips. She credits predatory mites with keeping her plant collection pest-free.
12. Nematodes
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
For treating fungus gnats, Claire uses nematodes, tiny organisms that attack pests in the soil. She finds nematodes to be the most effective solution for controlling fungus gnats, and they have been a game-changer in her plant care routine.
13. Levoit Humidifier
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
A consistent source of humidity is essential for many tropical plants, and Claire’s go-to humidifier is the Levoit. This powerful device can fill large spaces with humidity, and Claire loves its automatic settings that kick in when humidity levels drop below 60%.
14. Cabinets for Plant Propagation
Claire is a big advocate for using cabinets to create controlled environments for plant propagation. She converted a budget-friendly cabinet into a grow space, which has helped her tropical plants thrive. These enclosed spaces provide natural humidity and light, creating optimal conditions for plant growth.
15. Mother Grow Bars
For high-quality grow lights, Claire relies on Mother Grow Bars. These durable, long-lasting lights provide excellent light distribution and are energy-efficient, costing her less than 60p a day to run for her 300 plants. They offer both horizontal and vertical placement options, making them versatile for various setups.
16. Sharp Scissors and Pruning Shears
Click Here To Check Price On Amazon
A sharp, clean pair of scissors or pruning shears is essential for healthy plants. Claire stresses the importance of using sterilized tools when pruning or propagating to avoid spreading bacteria or pests. She uses hydrogen peroxide to clean her tools before each use.
17. Quality Soil
Finally, Claire emphasizes the importance of using high-quality, living soil that hasn’t been treated with harmful chemicals. She uses Soil Ninja’s base mix and adds her own amendments like bark, horticultural charcoal, and grit. Using living soil helps maintain the health and longevity of plants by supporting beneficial microbes.
These are just some of the tools and products that Claire uses regularly in her plant care routine. From pest control to DIY pots, these items have made her plant parenting journey easier and more enjoyable. If you’re looking to up your plant care game, consider trying some of these recommendations to keep your collection thriving.