Skip to main content

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

2021 gift guide: The coolest gardening gadgets out there

Whether you’re shopping for a gardening-loving friend, or you are that gardening-loving friend, it can be challenging to know what to buy. There are so many gardening tools, kits, ornaments, and accessories out there that it can feel overwhelming to choose which one will be best for the gardener in your life. While most of gardening is manual labor, there are some tools that gardeners will love that bring some fun gadgets and technology into this relaxing and popular hobby. So consider checking out these gardening gadgets listed below instead of buying them another set of gloves or a new plant pot.

man caring for garden
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Growoya’s Oya

People have been using buried pots as a form of local irrigation since ancient times, and in modern days you’ll often see gardeners use terra cotta pots buried around their plants. The porous nature of the clay allows water to seep into the soil slowly, so the plants get the water they require without you needing to water every other day. That’s what the makers of Oya were inspired by, and now they’ve designed a unique pot for this purpose. The Oya is perfectly shaped to hold a large amount of water while giving a small access point for refilling.

Recommended Videos

Over time, the plants around the Oya will grow their roots around the pot and draw the water they need as they need it. This saves you water, time, and money. Often plants die off because of over- or under-watering, but you don’t have to worry about that with the Oya. It comes in three sizes. The largest covers a diameter of 4 feet, the medium covers 3 feet, and the smallest covers 2, so no matter your needs, there’s an Oya size to match.

Northfifteen Home Plant Monitor

When it comes to growing plants indoors, it can be stressful to wonder if they’re getting enough light or enough water. It’s always hard to tell if the soil is too dry, still too moist, or ready to be watered. This can be incredibly nerve-wracking when we invest in rarer or more expensive plants. Take the guesswork out of it and get you or your gardening friends a home plant monitor.

These monitors by Northfifteen are placed into the pot’s soil with the plant and will send read-outs right to your phone. It will measure light, water, temperature, and fertilizer, allowing you to predict your plant’s needs without having to wait for browning leaves or other signs of distress. This gadget has over 5,000 plants in its database and even has a feature to help you identify what plant you have if you’re unsure. Connect via BlueTooth and get notifications about what your plants need — no more begging your plants to talk to you!

watering the garden
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Orbit Home Faucet Timer

Knowing when and how long to water your vegetable or flower garden can be challenging. With weather and sun exposure, a plant’s needs could fluctuate drastically from week to week. So while those automated watering systems are nice, they could potentially overwater your plants or, on a hot week, not give them enough. With the Orbit Home Faucet Timer, you won’t have to wonder if your plants are getting enough water ever again. This technology takes into account the slopes of your land, the weather conditions of that week, and the needs of your plants to create a completely customizable watering routine for your garden. Set up the Bluetooth feature, and you’ll be able to check on your plants from anywhere in the world. On vacation and wondering if the plants got watered? You can do that!

VegiBee Garden Pollinator

You can, of course, let nature do its thing and rely on pollinators such as bees and butterflies to spread the pollen throughout your garden. However, depending on your location, these methods might result in less production. To ensure your plants are pollinated and get the most out of every flower, you can use the VegiBee Garden Pollinator. This manual pollinating tool comes with a vibrating wand to help get the pollen out of the plant and a wide flat spoon to catch the pollen. You then simply have to pollinate the other flowers of the plant, and you’re sure to increase your yield up to 30 percent. In addition, it can be used on fruits, veggies, and even to hybridize flowers in a greenhouse!

Any of these gifts would make an avid gardener a happy camper this holiday season. From reducing gardening tasks to improving plant health, there’s something for every type and level of gardener in this guide.

Rebecca Wolken
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rebecca's has written for Bob Villa and a Cincinnati based remodeling company. When she's not writing about home remodeling…
What are water globes, and why should you use them for plants?
Tips and tricks for using water globes
An iridescent pink water globe under a holly plant.

Not being able to water your plants doesn’t have to mean instant death for them! Whether you’re going away for vacation or find yourself too busy to consistently water your plants, water globes for plants can be a reliable source of hydration for a few weeks. Plus, there are tons of colorful options, so no matter what your personal aesthetic is you're sure to find one that work for you. How useful are these gardening tools, and are they more effective than other watering methods? We'll answer all your questions and even recommend some of our favorite water globes!

What is a water globe?
The idea of a water globe is straightforward. Essentially, you have a sphere made from glass, plastic, clay, or metal with a long, thin neck. At the end of the neck, you'll find a small opening that slowly dispenses water after you fill up the globe and stick it into your soil. When your soil dries out, air gets into the globe, which pushes a small amount of water out of the stem.
Pros of water globes
Water globes are great if you’re going away for a while or find yourself without much time to tend to your plants. They can usually keep your soil moist for between seven to 14 days. If you’re out of town for a week or two or have a particularly thirsty plant, a water globe can be a quick and relatively affordable solution. It’s especially ideal for water-loving plants such as ferns and calatheas, which appreciate moist soil.
Cons of water globes
There are some matters to consider, of course. A globe can be fragile, especially if you get a glass one. Also, the amount of water dispensed can be variable, depending on how you stick the globe into the soil, the size of the sphere, and your home temperature conditions. While water globes dispense water slowly and don’t waterlog your soil, they aren't the best choice for plants that prefer to fully dry out between waterings, such as cacti and succulents.

Read more
The 4 best window shelves for displaying happy houseplants
Choosing a plant shelf for your window garden
Plant in a window

Those of us who are obsessed with house plants know that the real estate around a window is in high demand for our leafy friends, especially for those of us who adore succulents, cacti, and other plant friends who need extra sunlight. Depending on the number of windows you have and what direction they face, there may not be enough light to go around. This leads to crowded windows and sometimes means we can't grow our collection because we have nowhere to put any more plants.

Investing in a plant shelf is a great solution, but how do you know which is right for you? We've got all the info, including 4 recommendations for you to choose from! Your plant shelf window garden will thrive with these tips and tricks.

Read more
How to prune a Japanese maple, and when to do it for the best results
Get the most of your beautiful tree with these easy pruning instructions and tips
Japanese maple tree

The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), hardy in zones 5 to 8, is a stunning and uniquely shaped tree native to Japan, central China, and Korea. The trees were introduced in England in 1820 and have been used ever since as focal points in gardens all over the world for their stunning, brightly colored leaves and canopy growth patterns.

Typically, Japanese maples grow to about 15 to 20 feet tall, and their canopies reach out to about the same length. However, there are dwarf versions of these trees that are some of the best options for smaller gardens. They have bright, hand-shaped leaves that appear in the summer in a beautiful green color but then turn red, purple, or yellow in the fall.

Read more