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So, with the nice weather here it might be time to add a few plants around your home. And, sure, your local plant nursery probably has plenty of decent pots and planters, but wouldn’t it be nice to have something a little better than decent? Perhaps something that hits the modern/minimal spot?

Take a look at Loll’s containers and tell me if they’re not better than these guys. Each planter is made from the recycled and recyclable poly material just like Loll’s furniture, and will withstand the test of time in whatever kind of weather. You’ll get slow drainage thanks to the joinery, or you can easily drill holes in the bottom if need be. A little assembly is required, as each piece is flat-packed for shipping.
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Short on space but still want to grow your own greens? Not a problem. A Windowfarm utilizes vertical window space for year-round growing. A hydroponic system allows maximum yield; nutrient-spiked water is pumped from a reservoir down through each bottle to bathe the roots of the plants, giving them adequate food and water on a set schedule. You can order a system directly from Windowfarms, or if you’d prefer, simply build your own by gathering parts and recycled materials yourself (note: this will take a fair bit of effort/time).
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Ah-ha! Here’s a crutch for those of us that have trouble with watering herbs- either too much or too little. The Patch Herb Planter has a water reservoir built in, so that the plant can take exactly the amount of water it needs. There’s a central wicking ‘leg’ that draws water up into the soil around the plant’s roots, so you’ll not need to fuss about any watering schedule- just keep the reservoir topped up.

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Don’t make me talk about having right garden tools again. These sharp shears are modeled after a pair of classic British sheep shears and have a double-bow handle for maximum comfort. Perfect for clipping soft foliage and dead-heading, you’ll be able to shape or harvest your garden with precision.
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Too lazy to go to a garden center? Lucky you, there are some great growing kits that’ll have you babying your own herbs and vegetables in no time. Coco fiber wafers, seeds and instructions are all included in this rectangular tin planter- so, add water as needed and soon you’ll have your own peppers/basil/tomatoes that can then be transplanted into bigger patio containers or the garden.
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I’ve attempted to grow new plants from cuttings and I’ve been successful about 30% of the time, mostly because I forget to keep the cuttings watered appropriately and also because I keep sticking them in nice little glass jars that let in too much light. Here’s betting that this rootcup will increase my odds significantly. The elastomer pot and lid protects a cutting’s roots from light, holds the leaves above the water to prevent rotting, and captures water to reduce attention needed. Those three things will have us propagating all sorts of cuttings like a pro.
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Make Magazine’s recent mention of Bonsai Shears brought to mind one of my own recent experiences. For a while now I’ve attempted to keep alive a variety of plants, and I’ve been somewhat successful. However, out of all those experiences, perhaps the most disappointing was losing a small bonsai tree to the Texas weather (and my ineptitude).

A recent find of the Jabily succulent (Operculicarya decaryi), which can be grown as a bonsai and is easy to care for (lots of sun, lots of water), has offered redemption. Before the Jabily, I had two okay-ish pruners: one of which I never used because it was cheap and didn’t work well, and the other I reluctantly used, but it wasn’t exactly ergonomic. After the Jabily, I obtained two pairs of Japanese stainless steel butterfly scissors* of different size and function; I’m serious this time.

Having the right tool for the right job makes a difference, as you may know, and the proper pruning scissors I purchased work better and will last longer than my previous pairs. Also, as it often happens, because I invested a little more money I find myself taking extra care to wipe the blades and keep them in tip-top shape.
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Nice! Woolly Pocket is adding a new product to their selection: the Living Wall Planter. It’s modular (like the regular wall pockets), yet it has a hard vented shell that is equipped with a self-watering tank. The vented shell allows extra moisture to evaporate so that roots are healthy. So, just when you thought gardening couldn’t get any easier, it does. The planters are easy to hang and are safe for growing food indoors and out.

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Thanks to this electronic Click & Grow smartpot, if you’ve no green thumb, you don’t have to give up on indoor plants completely. There’s no daily watering and no fertilizing, you just start the kit by adding batteries and 1 liter of water and then sit back and wait for the smart technology to do its job. You’ll need to refill the water reservoir after a month or two, but that’s the minimal maintenance needed. Watch the video below for reassurance. Starter kits are $60 and refills are $20.
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Need a mid-sized terrarium? This modern pill-shaped terrarium by Chive will blend easily with modern interiors. It’s a pretty decent size as well: 14″ high by 9″ diameter. If you’re fond of small pod-like vases and such, be sure to check out Chive’s other offerings.
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Hey, IKEA, nice job. For $20, a lot of us could do much worse, and even though it’s not available online (possible glass breakage during shipment?), it’s completely worth checking out if your plants need some tender loving care. The roof vents allow air to circulate as needed, and with any luck, your thumbs will start to look a little greener.

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It’s a flower chain: a 5 foot long chain of loops to hold small pots of plants and flowers. Could be a great fit for small spaces where a little greenery is needed, don’t you think? With a little elbow grease and a sewing machine, you might be able to whip up one of these yourself, but for those of you that don’t have either, luckily you can purchase however many you want. And, if you’d like a bigger version, sit tight; an 8 foot long version that holds bigger pots will be available next spring.
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Last year we featured this as a Kickstarter project, and now it’s available for sale directly through Urbio’s online shop (hurray!). The polypropylene pots are magnetically held to modular wall plates, allowing various rearranging to fit your needs. As you can see from the photos, use the vessels for plants, office supplies, or whatever else that needs organization.
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Maybe you’re too lazy to lug back heavy planters from your local plant nursery. Or, even worse, maybe you’ve gone there only to find that they don’t have quite the right thing. Well, it’s your lucky day, as these planters are perfect- square, plain terracotta, for pretty good prices (+$5 flat fee shipping). Note: the tallest is 22″h, so they’re not huge, but they are good sizes for medium plants.

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Despite this planter feeling a little or a lot like an elongated tin can, it offers a great versatile option for adding greenery to your porch, patio or balcony. Stack the large and small planters as you wish to fit your space perfectly, or space them apart to add spots of color to a larger outdoor area.
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