Gear
Best Moisture Meter for Indoor Plants (and How to Read It)
The best moisture meter for houseplants: why a cheap analog probe is the pick for snake plant, monstera, and succulent soils, and how to read it.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 15, 2026. 7 min read.
Best Soil for Snake Plant: The Cactus-Mix Question
The best soil for snake plant explained: why cactus mix wins, what to add to off-the-shelf mixes, and how often to repot.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 15, 2026. 9 min read.
Aroid Soil Mix: The Exact Recipe for Monstera and Philodendron
Aroid soil mix recipe for monstera and philodendron: equal parts coco coir, orchid bark and perlite, based on a mix Clemson lists for both, plus optional worm castings.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants: Liquid vs. Spikes
The best fertilizer for indoor plants: liquid Dyna-Gro, slow-release Jobe Spikes, and how to dilute and schedule them by species.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Fertilizer for Monstera: Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro
The best fertilizer for monstera deliciosa: Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro, how it compares with the balanced fertilizers extension sources recommend, and how to dilute and schedule it.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Fungus Gnat Treatment: Mosquito Bits and the Others
The best fungus gnat treatments compared: Mosquito Bits (the winner), yellow sticky cards (monitoring only), and the watering fix.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 8 min read.
Best Grow Lights for Indoor Plants
The best grow lights for houseplants: bulb spectrum, hours per day, mount options, and which model categories actually work.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 10 min read.
Best Humidifier for Plants: The LEVOIT Pick and Why
The best humidifier for houseplants: the LEVOIT pick, why room size matters, where to place it, and the cheaper humidity tricks.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Moss Pole for Plants: Two Picks and What to Skip
Two moss poles stand out on their specifications: the Mossify bendable for shaping, and the EOX D-shaped for heavy monsteras. Here is what to buy and why.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Plant Mister: Brass vs. Plastic Spray Bottle
The best plant mister: a glass mister for looks and durability, a plastic bottle for everyday use, and when not to mist.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 8 min read.
Best Pots for Indoor Plants: Terracotta vs. Ceramic
The best pots for indoor plants: terracotta as the beginner default, ceramic for established plants, and the drainage rule.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Self-Watering Pots for Houseplants
Self-watering pots compared: when they work, when they cause root rot, and which plants belong in them versus a regular pot.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Soil for Jade Plant: A Gritty Succulent Mix That Prevents Root Rot
The best soil for jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a fast-draining gritty succulent mix. Standard potting soil holds too much water and risks root rot.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 6 min read.
Best Soil for Monstera: Aroid Mix Breakdown
The best soil for monstera explained: an aroid mix recipe, the components that matter, and an off-the-shelf alternative.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 10 min read.
Best Soil for Spider Plant: Why the Mix Should Be Perlite-Free
The best soil for spider plants is a well-drained, perlite-free mix: NC State Extension advises keeping perlite, which contains fluoride, out of mixes for spider plants.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 6 min read.
Best Soil for Succulents: Gritty Mix vs. Bagged
The best soil for succulents: bagged cactus mix, which Iowa State Extension calls a great choice, plus perlite-amended and gritty DIY mixes for faster drainage.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 9 min read.
Best Soil for ZZ Plant: A Succulent-Style Mix That Prevents Rhizome Rot
The best soil for ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a fast-draining cactus-style mix — standard potting soil holds too much water and kills the rhizome.
By Thomas Joseph. Updated October 12, 2026. 6 min read.
