We spent hours researching plant starter kit essentials from the top gardening brands, evaluating ease of use, effectiveness, and value. Our favorites include a seed collection from Plantfix, grow lights from Yoyomax, and plant food from Joyful Dirt. Scroll down for the best plant starter kit essentials available online. Each packet includes approximately 20 seeds—except the monstera which only included ten seeds—and they should be stored in a cool dry place until you’re ready to plant them. Be sure to plant them in moist soil and keep them in a bright warm spot, since they’re all tropical indoor plant seeds. We love that Plantflix is willing to offer virtual assistance in planting these seeds and that the seeds come with general care instructions, plus individual sheets for each plant type. However, we recognize that not everyone may be looking to grow these types of plants, so this jungle seed collection may not be the best option for every beginner. Nonetheless, this “grow your own jungle” kit is a great starter pack for anyone interested in growing their own house plants. Price at time of publish: $53 A transparent tray also lifts out of the larger green trays, so you can observe root growth and check on soil moisture. While this kit does come with enough trays that you may not need to use all of them initially, we’re skeptical of their long-term performance as they’re just made from thin plastic. We recommend handling these trays with care and keeping them out of reach from little ones or pets, who may knock them over. Price at time of publish: $24 This six-quart bag contains enough soil to feed your plants for up to six months with regular soil changes. Keep in mind that while it is compatible with several types of houseplants, you may want to conduct additional research to ensure your houseplant does not need a sandy or rocky environment. Price at time of publish: $6 The bag also offers additional planting guidance for beginners. You should only use up to one inch of lava rocks on the bottom of your indoor pots, and this mix should not be used for outdoor planting. Keep in mind that lava rocks do not completely solve excessive overwatering, so it may still be worth investing in pots with drainage holes. Price at time of publish: $18 It’s recommended that you transfer your succulents into slightly larger planters and water them to give them the nourishment they need to thrive indoors. We love this set because it’s a great starter kit for building your own terrarium or succulent garden at home, without having to purchase several types of succulents separately. Price at time of publish: $20 This set varies in size—starting at 5.5 inches and growing to eight inches—so you’ll have a few options as your plants grow and need to be repotted. They also come with three mesh circles and three silicone plugs, which help to prevent soil from falling out of the hole. You can always choose to plug the drainage holes if you’d prefer to use lava rocks for drainage. Although we recognize that this set of pots is well-made and a great option for beginners, we wish they were slightly less expensive. Price at time of publish; $50 JoyFul Dirt’s formula is safe to use around pets and kids, and it can replace up to four gallons of liquid fertilizer, commonly used on outdoor plants. They recommend either sprinkling the mixture directly on plants before watering or mixing one tablespoon of fertilizer for every 1/2 gallon of water. Our only concern for this fertilizer is that a specific amount is not suggested for the direct application method. So if you’re looking to be precise, we recommend mixing it with water according to the suggested measurements. Price at time of publish: $20 These gloves are known for their tight, “second skin” fit, so if you prefer looser gloves, you should order one size up. Their tight fit makes them a great option for high-dexterity tasks like separating roots and gripping hand trowels. Our only complaint about these gloves is that they’re listed under separate links for smaller sizes online, making the virtual shopping experience a bit confusing. Price at time of publish: $15 With 39 red and 21 blue LEDs, it delivers the optimal balance of photosynthesizing light for indoor plants. Plus, the heads can be turned off and on individually, and the six dimmer modes allow for customizable illumination. The lamp will also remember your latest settings and turn on at the same time each day, when left plugged in. Price at time of publish: $26 The stainless steel will ensure that it resists bacteria growth and also resists rust buildup. We recommend emptying this watering can after each use and allowing it to dry before storing it. You can choose between three finishes and three sizes, so even your larger indoor plants will be sure to receive enough water without multiple can refills. Price at time of publish: $16 At just over 6 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter, this chic little mister is the perfect size for tending to delicate houseplants. It’s also available in multiple glass colors, so you can choose one that best fits your personal style. We recommend emptying this mister after each use, to avoid any bacterial build-up. Price at time of publish: $13 It comes with 15 pieces, including two different soil scoops, two mini shovels, plus a rake. Pruning and cleaning tools are also included such as curved tweezers, a leaf trimmer, and a handheld dust blower. These tools are made with durable plastic handles and rust-resistant metal heads for the shovels and rake. We recommend keeping this set together in a sealed pouch and out of reach of small children, who may choke on the small pieces. Price at time of publish: $12
Soil Type
You can’t have plants without having a proper growing medium. “For germinating seeds, always make sure you are getting a sterile mix,” says Amanda Rose Newton, a Board Certified Entomologist and member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board. “This is commonly labeled as “germination mix”. This will hopefully ensure harmful bacteria or fungi are not present. Most sterile blends are also lightweight and easy to drain.” A well-draining, nutrient-rich soil will not only keep your seeds from drowning, but it will give them the food they need to thrive. Consider researching to figure out what nutrients your plant of choice will need most. In most cases, a generic potting soil mix should be fine, but it’s always good to double check.
Seed Type
Knowing what your seeds are and where they’re coming from is key to successfully starting a small garden. For instance, you don’t want to get seeds for a plant that requires a ton of sunlight if you don’t have any natural light in your home. You always want to be sure you can produce ideal growing conditions for your seeds, that way they’ll grow up healthy and strong. “During the Winter Solstice, do not despair if your indoor plants drop leaves or are not growing as much,” says Newton. “This is exactly what they would be doing outside—winter is not an active season. Time your new seedlings accordingly so that they will be ready to go out during the warmer Spring months.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
A writer for The Spruce since April 2020, Theresa Holland has substantial experience covering home goods and gardening products. Once an accidental indoor plant killer, she’s learned many tips and tricks for keeping houseplants alive over the years. You can read more of her writing on MyDomaine and Byrdie. Additional reporting was done by Katie Pittman, who has more than five years of experience in lifestyle and digital media and is an expert writer for MyDomaine. Emma Phelps, an Updates Writer for The Spruce, refreshed this roundup’s contents with new product selections and added supplementary information for each product. She also reached out to Amanda Rose Newton, a Board Certified Entomologist and member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board, and asked for her expert opinion on essential products and tools beginner gardeners may need.
