Everyone Needs a Houseplant Emergency Kit. Here’s How to Build One.

You probably have some opened, half-used bag of potting soil sitting outside somewhere (I definitely do). Which is fine for those outdoor plants but not when it comes to replenishing and transplanting inside pots. When it comes to tending to houseplant soil, I always source from a bag of quality potting mix that has been kept indoors and away from potentially acquiring any fungus or pests. Not only does this particular mix include a dose of PlantBiotics® to aid in healthier roots, the formula enhances uptake of water and nutrients for astounding growth. Keep an eye on your plant’s growth and top layer of soil—most houseplants typically need to be refreshed or repotted once every three to five years.

Easy to store with a no-mess application, these fertilizer spikes are the easiest way to add nutrients to your potted plant soil. With 16 essential nutrients in each spike that are plant based and odor-free, plant food is released into the soil every time you water, with one spike feeding your plants for up to two months. Houseplants respond best when fertilized during the growing seasons between spring and fall, so hold off on adding any additional nutrients during colder weather and shorter sunlight hours.

Yes, houseplants need pruning! Be it a few yellowing leaves from overwatering or the desire to make your Tradescantia zebrina grow a little less straggly, having a dedicated pair of snips on hand is key. To avoid spreading disease, keep your outdoor garden shears separate, and if dealing with a plant that has succumbed to pest or disease, use a disinfectant spray between cuts to limit the spread to other plants.

Not everyone has the space for a full potting bench, and sometimes it’s just nice to get houseplant work done at the kitchen table. Here’s where the compact and easy-to-stash gardening mat comes in handy for any repotting or dirty work that you might want to keep contained. This vegan leather mat is a stylish upgrade that I wouldn’t mind having to make chores feel more chic.

Whether you accidentally snapped off a stem or were just doing some routine pruning, no indoor or outdoor gardener should be without a dedicated set of small bud vases for easy hydration and propagation. Where there’s still a debate on whether colored or clear glass is best when it comes to sprouting cut stems’ root systems, the most important part is keeping water fresh and providing ample sunlight. Be sure to swap out water every few days to keep water levels high and clear. And don’t forget to fully disinfect vases that have murky water in between cuttings.

I personally love the quick and easy knuckle test (where you stick your index finger into soil to detect dampness) but I also love a handy and tell-all gauge that can go much deeper to detect and identify problems that might be lurking at root level. If your plants are droopy and producing yellowing leaves, you might want to start with soil dampness to see if it might not be draining properly lower in the pot. So often weather or sunlight can dry out the upper layer making us think that another deep watering is needed, when in fact the roots might be getting waterlogged. This meter will give you the answer straight away without any guesswork.

Pesky fungus gnats happen. In fact, they love to hitch a ride home on unassuming plants and they sprout once back home when you least expect it. While a full plant checkup is mandatory before you bring one home with you, accidents still happen. These sticky traps nip the problem early before a major breakout—be sure to isolate any plants that seem to be infected to stop the spread to others in the house. Allow soil to fully dry out between waterings, in addition to top-dressing the soil with sand for larger outbreaks.

Floppy fronds are a thing and you’ve got to give your growing greens a lift. While a garden-grade bamboo stick and twine would do the trick, I like to think of indoor plants as an extension of our interior decor, so treat your potted pals to a pretty brass support that accessorizes without over-accentuating its presence.

Pets, kids… and even you are all guilty of roughhousing around plants. Broken stems happen and while a clean cut might be your best form of intervention, there are some prized vining plants that can be saved from the trim. I like to opt for eco-minded tools rather than single-use plastic, and this garden tape is one of those swaps. Reusable ties can be cut to size and fastened tightly for any stem-mending. Simply apply over severed or bent branches and secure for support—hopefully the plant will heal itself within a few weeks and then the tape can be removed.

Are these gloves silly? Yes. Are all plant accessories necessary? No. But sometimes they sure make the job easier and if you’re like me and live in the city, your little leaves need a dusting often. These gloves work just as well as a microfiber cloth, but I find them being attached to my hands makes for a more effortless clean. Simply spray down your leaves with water and wipe away to return to photosynthesizing at optimal levels.

Once you’ve gathered your gear, it’s time to keep it organized in a chic catchall. I love these colorful canvas bags and while they are tough enough to take on the trail, they are also super stylish to keep all your botanical booty in one place so you’ll always know where to find them in a pinch.