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So you somehow killed a ZZ plant — you know, the one that can practically survive on a spoonful of water once a month mixed with a dash of your hubris. These products can help ensure that humbling achievement doesn’t define your plant-parenting legacy.

I'm a fellow on BuzzFeed's shopping team who loves finding products that are delightfully strange or useful (or both).

The solid beechwood press requires no glue to make these little containers, and it's simple enough for kids, classrooms, or first-time gardeners to use. 

I've used these in the past. The fact that you can plant them directly into a bigger pot is soooo amazing. I've had plants quit on me just because I moved them out of their tiny starter containers. This nifty press gives your latest batch of hopeful little sprouts somewhere cozy to begin. 

Promising review: "I like to start my own vegetable seeds and flower seeds. I find that the peat pots don't break down very well once planted in the garden. I've made hundreds for starting my own seeds. I've used the little pots I've made and have given away a lot, too. It's easy to use. Its quick. The price you spend on this will surely save you money in the long run." —Heather Panteleeffe

Promising review: "I got two Venus Flytraps since they’re my favorite carnivorous plant, but didn’t have a place to keep them safe from my cat or to keep them moist; I bought this indoor greenhouse nursery for the size and the cheap price. I’m able to fit my two small cacti, Venus Flytraps, and my medium-sized succulents inside. It also has Velcro straps at the top to roll up the opening and secure it so it won’t be in the way when watering. There was enough space inside that I was able to attach a short plant light for my plants and not have to worry if they’re not getting enough sun as well!" —Madison Anders

Each 5-inch pot has soft but sturdy sides that can be gently squeezed when you are ready to remove a seedling. The durable BPA-free plastic is reusable and works for houseplants, flowers, herbs, and starts ~headed~ for the garden. Their see-through walls also make it easier to spot excess moisture in between waterings and admire the roots you somehow managed to grow.

They also offer listings for just the nursery pots, pots with drainage saucers, pots with humidity lids, and pots with a side split for orchids. Plants really are such divas.

Promising review: "I’ve gradually been transitioning many of my houseplants into clear nursery pots, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. These have made plant care so much easier because I can actually see what’s happening beneath the soil instead of guessing. For anyone who tends to overwater (or underwater!) their plants, these are an absolute game changer. The biggest advantage is being able to monitor the root system without disturbing the plant. I can easily tell when roots are healthy, when it’s time to repot, or if there’s an issue developing without pulling the plant out of the pot. I also love being able to see the moisture level through the sides of the pot. Instead of sticking my finger into the soil or guessing based on the surface, I can quickly tell whether the potting mix is still damp or ready for watering. It’s made caring for my plants much more consistent." —Jay R

Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $16.99 (also available in a pack with varied sizes).

Each one is easy to fill and insert into the soil, where it sends moisture straight toward the roots instead of letting it evaporate on the surface. You can use them for houseplants, outdoor pots, hanging baskets, or garden beds.

Promising review: "My plants are usually either overly wet or dry or just neglected… these solve the problem. Your plant drinks when it’s thirsty. You see the bulb empty … just refill it … easy. I started with mixed sizes. I used more small-sized than larger for my plant collection. They are happy campers now! Referred to me by a gardener friend. Yeah, they work, and I will order again or gift to other brown thumb friends." —Laura C.

Get a pack of six large globes and four small globes for $15.19 from Amazon (also available in different size combinations and materials).

Bury the reservoir near the roots, fill it through the exposed opening, and seal it with the included stopper to limit evaporation. Its 700-milliliter capacity reaches across an 18-inch area.

Promising review: "I was previously struggling to keep my balcony garden from completely drying out. Living in an apartment, there was no easy way to water. Since setting these up, I can now go 3–4 days in between watering, even on the hottest days. I further extended that time to about a week and a half by simply 'screwing in' some dark glass bottles with additional water on top. Adding these on has been a big help in gauging how much water is left. I know that if there is water still in the bottles, then I am nowhere near needing to fill them up yet. I will continue to purchase these ollas if I decide to expand my balcony garden at all! They are just the right size for even some of my bigger grow bags. They are not flimsy at all. I love the way they look!" —Briar

Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in two sizes).

The system works with virtually any potted plant and includes a hook for hanging the bag above it. 

Promising review: "I bought these to build a PCU (plant care unit) at my office for the nurses I work with who have begun to rely on me to help care for their plants. They actually function very well, are easy to refill, seem to be very durable (they survived being knocked around in the car and dropped in the elevator), and the drip control system is easy to use. Well worth what I paid for them for the joy they add to our cubicle aisle!" —Kate

The cordless, USB-C rechargeable controller displays the watering frequency, duration, humidity, timer, and battery level, while 33 feet of cut-to-size tubing lets you build a setup around your particular indoor jungle (if you got ambitious). 

Promising review: "This watering system has honestly been perfect for my balcony plants. Before I got it, I was always worried about leaving town or forgetting to water everything on hot days. Now it basically takes care of the plants for me. Once you set it up, it waters automatically on a schedule, and it’s surprisingly reliable. I’ve got several pots on my balcony, and the water pressure is strong enough to reach all of them without any issues. The kit comes with a ton of tubing and connectors, so you can customize the setup however you want. I actually had fun putting the system together. The battery lasts a long time, too — just make sure to fully charge it before using it. Overall, it’s made balcony gardening way less stressful and a lot more enjoyable." —Tech Junkie

Get it from Amazon for $29.66 (available in three colors).

It requires no batteries and is compact enough to use with indoor pots, outdoor containers, and garden beds. Wipe the probe clean after each reading and remove it from the soil when you’re done.

Promising review: "I love these 'Ladybug' water meters and use one for houseplants inside and one for plants and shrubs in my garden outside. The Ladybug design is charming and distinctive, and easy to find in my storage area. The meter makes it easy to know immediately if a plant needs water, and the price is a real bargain. I also gift them to friends who don’t have a 'green thumb' with plants!" —Satisfied in CT

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a two-pack).

Simply insert one into each small pot and let the color window handle the monitoring. The indicator shows white when the soil is dry and blue when it's adequately watered.  

Promising review: "I’ve killed every plant I've ever had, until I bought these!!! Trust me, you’ll love these. You just look at the indicator every day, and if it’s white, you water. Easy peasy." —Lisa Samsel

Get a set of five from Amazon for $23.95.

Promising review: "Harold was supposed to be a housewarming gift, and for some reason, he ended up not leaving my house! Take my advice and buy two!" —Bertha

It has four brightness levels and a flexible neck that lets you aim it directly at potted plants without taking over your entire shelf. It can be powered through a laptop or any USB-compatible source.

Promising review: "I waited a while before doing this review to see how my plant would react under the light. This works great for my pothos that's on my bookshelf, so not much room for it to get sunlight. My leaves have almost doubled in size. I have it on the 12-hour setting, and it will turn on and off by itself, so I don't ever have to remember to turn the light back on." —Krystal

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in packs of up to three).

A water-level indicator signals when it needs a refill, while the automatic shutoff kicks in when the tank runs dry. 

Promising review: "I love this humidifier. I run it on high nightly & it uses about half a tank of water on the highest setting. The light is a warm glow & turns off with a push of the button. The inside of the tank is simple, which is great for cleaning! I don’t have much experience with these devices, but it is very quiet aside from some water droplet noises, which I find relaxing. My skin feels great, my plants are perkier throughout my house, and my cat doesn’t scratch/itch throughout the night anymore. I’m in SoCal, so it’s super dry — I even have my window open some nights. Well worth the money! Very nice-looking device and I don’t need to take the tank off to refill from the top." —kelly o'shea

Promising review: "Wow! Not only is it so cute, but it's also very convenient and sturdy. It rolls up for easy storage when you're not using it. It snaps in the corners when you are using it to hold together, and it is super simple and works really well! I have used it lots of times, and it keeps all the mess and water that spills when repotting inside the mat! It's super easy to clean too, it just wipes away! Definitely worth getting this!!! 🌿💖" —Octavia Viralaine

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in a daisy print in two sizes).

It works for seedlings, transplants, containers, and garden beds.

Promising review: "I am growing Microclover in trays and ended up using four different types of potting soil. My seedlings germinated a day earlier, and the plants are growing a little faster in this soil. Also, this soil seems to stay moist a little bit longer." —Wendy

Get it from Amazon for $39.97 (also available in a two-pack).

Use it to attach houseplants to stakes, guide vines along a trellis, or reinforce outdoor plants during stormy weather. 

Promising review: "I have a lot of indoor plants and have used twine and twist ties to tie them onto stakes for years. This product is awesome — it's a total game changer for plant care. You simply cut off the appropriate length you need, and it adheres to itself securely. No knots, no twisting, no fuss. It's incredibly easy to use and adjust as your plants grow. The self-fastening design means you can reposition ties without any hassle. The color is a muted green that blends in beautifully with plants without screaming, 'I'm green!' The tie is also gentle on stems, which is important for delicate plants. It's a nice big roll, so you get plenty of material for many plants. But if I run out, I'll definitely buy more - that's how much better this is than my old methods." —NYCJudie

Get a 75-foot roll from Amazon for $4.07 (also available in 18 feet and 50 feet.)

Use it to prevent stems from slipping, floating, or leaning awkwardly during water propagation. It makes a fun addition to apartment windowsills, office desks, or crowded plant shelves.

Promising review: "This guy cracks me up every time I walk by him! At first, I thought it was just going to be a silly, adorable little thing, but they’re actually quite helpful at holding leaf and stem propagations at the correct depth in the water. The plants I use these in seem to root faster." —Kristin Boyce

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in several styles and quantities).

Each package includes 48 spikes and a tool for making neat planting holes in the soil. Coverage varies by container size, but there’s enough to feed eight larger houseplants for roughly two months.

Promising review: "I actually used these plant food spikes for both indoor and outdoor plants, and they work great for both. My plants are extremely happy, and I love how convenient it is. I don’t have to use fertilizer granules anymore, which were a total pain. I simply put these in once a month, and I’m done." —HonesTee

Promising review: "My plants love this stuff! I use just a small amount in the water and they keep growing and flowering year round. Highly recommend!" —Nicole Schubert

Each plant-based wipe is infused with water, glycerin, neem oil, and cinnamon extract to leave foliage looking naturally shinier. And once the leaves are clean enough to inspect properly, you may finally notice whether anything with six or eight legs has moved in...

Promising review: "First time using these wipes and I was pleasantly surprised!!! Easily wiped off some nasty water spot residue my plant had on some of the older leaves from the grower. Not sure how effective it is on pests because I don’t have a pest problem…. But it cleans leaves beautifully!" —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of 80 wipes from Amazon for $16.99.

The nozzle makes it easy to apply to houseplants, flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruit, trees, and shrubs, and the formula is approved for organic gardening. It can also be used as a dormant spray for seasonal protection.

Promising review: "My basil plant was dying, and she was very sad. She had silver spots and white bugs on her. Someone suggested I cut the leaves, and unfortunately, I didn’t know what pruning it was until I had already done the damage and cut all the leaves off. I thought 'maybe there’s a chance they’ll grow back, it might just take some time.' Nope. Weeks went by, and my poor, poor Basil sat there leafless and dead. I figured the white bugs were likely the issue, so when Reddit suggested neem oil, I had nothing left to lose, and thought this would be my last effort. Again, this basil had sat there for WEEKS without any signs of life. I sprayed the neem oil on the bottom of the stems, and I kid you not, the NEXT DAY I started to see buds. A couple of weeks later, she is alive and well and thriving and better than she’s ever looked in her life. This spray is magic in a bottle." —Andrea Wick

Get it from Amazon for $9.59 (available in 32 oz. and 128 oz.)

The 36-piece set includes butterfly and tree shapes that tuck neatly into small pots without taking over the whole plant. They are odorless, waterproof, UV-resistant, and easy to replace once they are fully covered. 

Promising review: "So apparently I was overwatering a few of my plants when, almost overnight, I noticed my bedroom had gnats EVERYWHERE. Nobody likes bugs in their space, but these stupid little guys were so annoying! They were constantly in my face or some other part of my body, just creeping me out and driving me wild! I figured they would clear out when I stopped overwatering, but I was wrong about that — they just seemed to keep multiplying, and it was not a good situation, so I was beyond thankful for these little sticky traps to come to the rescue. You can see in my pics that they are getting pretty full, and I probably need to change them out soon. Oh ya there are quite a few traps in the package, so you don’t have to keep using one that is covered with dead bugs, just grab a fresh one! It is so nice to say that no gnats have been buzzing around anywhere near me lately." —T.H.

Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $5.68 (available in three other shapes or a 72-pack).

Flip through for quick guidance on lighting, watering, humidity, temperature, feeding, and recognizing signs that something has gone awry. 

Promising review: "I like how it has the plants at the beginning of the book (with pictures too!) so you can go directly to those pages. The advice is good and doable. I like that the author doesn't go overboard with explanations because 'overboard' leads to 'overwhelmed' for me. I feel like I can actually follow the advice. My percentage of keeping houseplants alive has been about 60% for the last year. That's up from zero percent, but I would like to do better. Having plants in the house really does make the rooms feel and look better, so I want to get better, and I think this book will help in that goal." —sanoe.net

The roomy 15-ounce cup is also safe for the microwave and top rack of the dishwasher.

Promising review: "I bought this gift for a friend who loves gardening and plants. It's a great gift because it lasts all year long! The facts mix and match, so you get tips on how to garden and about vegetables. In today's world, where we're so tech inclined, this is perfect! It's a gift you look forward to every day for the whole year!" —JC

Promising review: "Absolutely love them. They are small but they are well established lil guys. Perfect for just starting out or to get a variety with out breaking the bank. Packaged perfectly! 100% recommend" —Chelsea

Get a box of three plants from Hey Rooted for $30.

The set includes arid, tropical, and carnivorous varieties, each displayed in its own buildable terracotta-colored pot. The tallest stands over 6.5 inches high, and unlike your previous plants, these will remain vibrant through vacations, heat waves, and prolonged neglect.

Promising review: "The attention to detail in each plant design is truly remarkable. From the delicate petals of the tropical blooms to the spiky allure of the arid cacti, every element captures the essence of its real-life counterpart with stunning accuracy. One of the highlights of this set is the variety it offers. Whether you're drawn to the vibrant hues of tropical flowers, the unique allure of carnivorous plants, or the rugged beauty of arid flora, there's something here to cater to every botanical taste. It's also a fantastic décor piece. We built this set during a long cruise recently and gave them as gifts to the Cruise Staff, since they are not allowed live plants in their cabins. It's a thoughtful gesture that allows recipients to indulge their love for both LEGO and botanicals in a single package." —Joshua Githens

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: Our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.