Keep Killing Your Plants? These 6 High-Tech Tools Might Help

1. A Light of One’s Own

Commercial grow lights are typically hulky, buzzing, rectangular behemoths that dominate any space they’re in—so definitely not suited for a living room. They can prove critical, however, to getting plants enough light to survive winter months, particularly species that are tucked in a dark corner or high on a sterile office shelf. Potey LED Grow Plant Lights ($37), compact versions of their industrial-scale cousins, fit on a single pot. Though they’re petite, their beam is as robust as natural sunlight. With three light modes, five dimming brightness levels and a built-in timer, these lights are designed to help even a plant occupying the loneliest spot in your house thrive.

2. Fog Up the Air

In an indoor space, maintaining tiptop conditions for plant life can prove a challenge—particularly when winter’s chill means an uptick in drying, artificial heat. By adding moisture to a room, a humidifier can help plants flourish. “Humidifiers are my go-to technology for keeping my tropical plants happy and lush, especially through the cold months,” said Alessia Resta, the New York-based creator behind the Apartment Botanist Instagram account and owner of over 175 houseplants. With a sleek, UFO-style design, the Miro NR07S Humidifier ($159) has an ultrasonic engine that can pump out mist continuously for eight hours at maximum power and more than 24 hours at minimum power. Its seamless, top-fill water tank and modular construction make dismantling and cleaning easy.

3. Check Your Ground

To measure soil-quality factors, Andrea Kidd of Lush Plant Co. in Decatur, Ga., recommends the Classy Casita 3-in-1 Garden Meter ($16). “We use these moisture meters when we water our shop,” she said. The sticks also show pH-value, which affects the amount of nutrients your plant can actually get from its soil. Getting this info is as easy as sticking the meter in a bit of the soil. The meter also includes a setting for measuring the intensity of sunlight a plant is receiving in a particular spot, but you’ll probably get a better measure from a dedicated light meter.

4. Foolproof Hydration

Give houseplants too much H2O and they’ll become waterlogged and susceptible to root rot; give them too little and they’ll wither and dry out. The intelligent irrigation systems in Lechuza’s self-watering planters like the Classico LS 21 ($51) help regulate the supply of water to the roots, so that the plant receives just the right amount. The planter also includes a built-in liner, which makes repotting anything a cinch. “They are a bit on the pricey side,” Ms. Resta said, “but I think they are worth it.”

5. Find the Right Spot

Outside of water, light is the most critical element for plant growth because, as you’ll recall from middle-school biology class, photosynthesis can’t happen without it. But in their attempt to follow the vague guidelines that retailers and greenhouses provide, newbie plant parents often err by sticking their leafy-green additions in unaccommodating spots. A lux meter like the Dr. Meter Digital Illuminance Light Meter ($30), used at different points of the day, can help you determine whether a specific spot actually offers the “bright, indirect sunlight” it needs.

6. Water While Away

Leaving town for a week? Want to track your plant watering while eating a sad desk lunch at the office and missing your greenery? A Wi-Fi-enabled, remote tracking irrigation system lets you ensure your plants are getting exactly enough hydration–and could even reduce the amount of water you use. A 2013 study by the American Society of Horticultural Science found that switching to sensor-controlled irrigation reduced water use by 53.5%. The Rainpoint irrigation system’s app ($40) lets you customize your watering plan based on local temperatures and humidity.

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