The Essential Indoor Plant Starter Kit

What you should buy as a new plant parent!

You've done it! You've been scrolling through those gorgeous Instagram accounts, admiring the glossy leaves, and now you're feeling that undeniable urge to become a proud plant parent yourself. That's fantastic! Starting your indoor garden is an exciting journey.

But let's be honest: walking into a garden centre or browsing endless online lists can quickly turn "exciting" into "overwhelming." What tools do you actually need? Do you buy the cheap soil or splurge on a specialty mix?

We hear you! We've stripped away the noise and the confusing jargon to give you the definitive, human-friendly list for your Indoor Plant Starter Kit. Get ready to set up a successful, thriving, and stylish indoor jungle right from day one!

The Essential Starter Kit Checklist

To keep your first few plants healthy, happy, and growing, you need to focus on four core categories: Potting, Watering, Feeding, and Tools.

The Right Potting Gear - The Foundation

The biggest mistake beginners make is using the wrong container or the wrong soil. Start with these basics:

Item	What to Buy	Why It’s Essential
Pots with Drainage	Plastic Nursery Pots (affordable, best for root health) and Decorative Cache Pots (no drainage holes, to slip the nursery pot into).	Non-negotiable. Water needs to escape to prevent root rot, the #1 plant killer.
High-Quality Potting Mix	A small bag of General Indoor Potting Mix + a bag of Perlite or Orchid Bark (or grab a specialised Cactus/Succulent Mix if starting with those plants).	Standard garden soil is too dense. Adding aerators like perlite ensures air gets to the roots.
Trowel or Scoop	A simple, small hand trowel or a dedicated soil scoop.	Keeps the repotting process cleaner and helps you get fresh soil into tight spots.

Pro Tip: Always choose a pot that is only 1-2 inches wider than your plant's current pot. Too much space means too much soil, which holds too much water.

2. Watering & Humidity Tools (The Lifeblood)

Proper watering is the key to plant success. These tools help you monitor moisture and deliver water precisely.

Item	What to Buy	Why It’s Essential
Long-Spout Watering Can	A small to medium can with a long, thin spout.	Allows you to water precisely at the base of the plant without soaking the leaves, which can prevent fungal issues.
Moisture Meter (Optional but Recommended)	A simple 3-in-1 tool that measures moisture, light, and pH.	Takes the guesswork out of watering, especially for plants that need to dry out deeply before the next drink (like Sansevieria or ZZ Plants).
Small Spray Bottle	A fine-mist spray bottle.	Useful for giving tropical plants (like Ferns and Calathea) a quick, light spritz to boost humidity, especially in winter.

3. Basic Plant Care & Feeding (The Fuel)

Your plant will eventually use up the nutrients in the potting soil. Having basic supplies on hand ensures healthy growth.

Item	What to Buy	Why It’s Essential
All-Purpose Liquid Fertiliser	A balanced (e.g., 20-20-20 or 10-10-10) liquid houseplant fertiliser.	Provides the nutrients your plant needs during its active growing season (spring/summer). Remember to dilute it properly!
Rubbing Alcohol & Cotton Swabs	Standard rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and cotton balls/swabs.	Your first line of defence against common pests like Mealybugs or Spider Mites.
Microfibre Cloth or Duster	A soft cloth for cleaning leaves.	Dirty, dusty leaves can't absorb light efficiently. Cleaning them once a month is crucial for photosynthesis.

Must-Have Safety & Support (The Extras)

A couple of extra items that keep your plants tidy and safe.

Item	What to Buy	Why It’s Essential
Clean Pruning Snips	Small, sharp scissors or dedicated snips.	Essential for removing dead, yellowing, or damaged leaves. Clean, sharp cuts prevent plant stress and disease.
Bamboo Stakes or Plant Clips	Small bamboo sticks or simple wire clips.	Gives support to taller, top-heavy plants (like Ficus or Dracaena) or helps guide vining plants (like Pothos) where you want them to grow.

Your First Plant Purchase: Start Simple!

While you’re shopping for your kit, pick up a tough, resilient plant that can handle a beginner's learning curve.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria): Incredibly tough, tolerates low light, and only needs watering once a month.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas): Stores water in its root structure; nearly impossible to underwater.

Pothos (Epipremnum): Fast-growing vine that is very forgiving and lets you know when it’s thirsty (it droops!).

Ready to assemble your ultimate Indoor Plant Starter Kit? We stock all the high-quality soil amendments, pots, and tools you need to create a thriving home environment for your new plant friends.