Raising a plant can be as hands-off or as involved as you like. Regular watering, removing wilted leaves, and adding a dose of water soluble fertilizer is enough to keep your pot plant roaring fit. However, you might want to pamper your plant sometimes by turning the soil for better aeration. Leaves of foliage plants would love an occassional deep-tissue massage. You might want to keep a small gardening kit handy when you feel like spending some active time with your plants. We recommend a half-a-dozen tools for the basic gardening kit.

Sprayer: A hand sprayer with 0.5 litres to 1 litre capacity is adequate for taking care of a collection of a hundred-odd plants. You can choose between a squeeze-handle or compressed air pressure sprayer. The pressure sprayer releases a smooth jet of water, and the squeeze-handle delivers an energetic load with every squeeze. Adding 1-2 ml of neem oil to the water in the sprayer makes your leaves glisten with extra gloss. 

Weeder: The humble khurpi is a versatile and indispensable tool. The wide edged khurpi is useful for turning the soil to remove weeds in flower beds. For potted plants use the narrow, pointed weeder. It allows you to get at the weeds precisely, without damaging the plant stem or roots. 

Trowel: When you are transferring your plant to a new pot, you will need fresh soil, compost, and peat. You could scoop out the potting mix out from the heap into the pot, or you could trowel it in measured scoops. A trowel is basically a spoon to guide the food into the pot. To feed with hands or with a spoon? The choice is yours! 

Watering Can: So obvious! And necessary. One could also use a glass or a cup to pour in the water but a watering can simulates rain. You can add soluble fertlizer to the water to get two plant chores done simultaneously. 

Secateurs: You can remove wilting leaves, dry flowers, and woody branches by hand or you can use secateurs for a neat clip. Secateurs are a handy tool at the time of repotting the plant if you want to trim overgrown roots. 

Gardening gloves: Many gardeners love the feel of soil on their hands. Still, sometimes it is advisable to wear gloves, especially if you are working with plants that may have prickly spines. Get a pair with hard tips. This way your fingertips will have extra protection.