Tech Gifts for Plant Lovers: The Ultimate Gift Guide

TechCrunch's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide: A Focus on the Real World

Looking for the perfect gift? TechCrunch’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is here to assist! We are beginning to publish our gift selections for this year, and will continue to add more suggestions through December.

The Metaverse and the Call of Nature

A common response to online frustration is the suggestion to “go touch some grass.” Interestingly, the announcement of Facebook’s rebranding to Meta and the associated metaverse concept prompted a similar urge. The rapid advancement of technology is stimulating, yet it can also feel all-consuming.

A connection with the natural world offers a welcome respite from digital overload. Being surrounded by greenery provides a grounding experience.

Tech That Connects Us to the Outdoors

Fortunately, not all technological innovation aims to immerse us in virtual reality. A growing segment of tech focuses on enhancing our connection with the physical world, specifically by enabling us to cultivate thriving gardens within our homes.

Gift Guide Transparency

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Maintaining Plant Health with a Dedicated Application

One of the earliest startups I reported on for TechCrunch was Greg, an application leveraging machine learning to assist users in determining optimal watering schedules for their plants. During a Zoom conversation with CEO Alex Ross, prompted by a forest tapestry visible in my background – a relic from my freshman dorm – he inquired about my plant ownership. I admitted my inability to successfully nurture plants, attributing it to the north-facing windows in my apartment.

Ross suggested several plant varieties suited for low-light conditions, including snake plants, pothos, and ZZ plants, and confidently asserted that utilizing Greg would guarantee their survival. Initially, I was doubtful. It’s reasonable to expect a plant app’s founder to advocate for its effectiveness. However, after six months, my snake plant, pothos, and ZZ plant are all thriving. This experience has cultivated such an interest in plants that I am now composing a guide to plant-related technology gifts. My gratitude goes to Greg.

Greg isn’t a solution for all plant care challenges. Despite the light requirements of monsteras, I was captivated by their aesthetic appeal and acquired one from a local nursery, positioning it near my desk window. This proved to be a misjudgment, and the plant struggled. Consequently, I invested in an affordable grow light. Now, my monstera is flourishing, and I’ve even managed to keep a jade succulent upright.

While Greg won’t directly state, “Your monstera requires more light due to the dimness of your apartment,” the application allows users to adjust settings for each tracked plant to specify whether it’s receiving supplemental light from a grow light, as light exposure influences watering needs.

The application is available at no cost for up to five plants. Unlimited access is offered through Super Greg, priced at $6.99 monthly, $30 annually (equivalent to approximately $2.50 per month with annual billing), or a one-time fee of $49.99 for lifetime access.

As Ross articulated to TechCrunch: “Just as Coinbase introduces individuals to cryptocurrency, Greg introduces people to the world of plants.” A rather bold statement, but in my personal experience, it holds a degree of truth.

Price: Free to $7 per month. Compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Locating Sources for Plant Purchases

Within the tech startup community, The Sill, an online plant retailer, is frequently mentioned. Interestingly, its founder, Eliza Blank, holds an investment in Greg – a noteworthy connection!

For those not conveniently located near numerous plant nurseries, online ordering presents a viable alternative. However, be aware that the cost of these plants can sometimes be substantial, considering they are, fundamentally, living organisms that thrive in natural environments.

Considering the convenience factor, if a gift is intended for a friend during the holidays, the practicality of purchasing a snake plant locally, packaging it, and shipping it yourself is limited. Therefore, opting for a $60 snake plant with a stylish, contemporary planter can be justified.

In fact, excluding the cost of the aesthetically pleasing planters, a snake plant can be acquired for as little as $23, a price comparable to what one might expect to pay at a local nursery. Feel free to indulge yourself.

However, it's important to note that monsteras require ample natural light or the addition of a grow light to flourish.

Modern Sprout offers indoor garden kits specifically designed to guide even those with a history of plant care difficulties through the process of cultivating various plants, from cacti to edible herbs. Despite diligent adherence to instructions, adequate light remains crucial for plant survival.

Understanding the Need for Grow Lights

Standard household lightbulbs typically don't provide the necessary spectrum for optimal plant growth. Consequently, for those without access to a brightly lit space, grow lights are essential for maintaining a thriving indoor garden – or preventing a collection limited solely to resilient species like snake plants.

An Economical Grow Light Solution

This particular grow light was acquired during initial uncertainty regarding a monstera’s health, questioning whether its decline stemmed from insufficient light or other factors. A substantial investment in advanced equipment wasn’t warranted while still “onboarding into plants,” as Greg CEO Alex Ross described it.

Priced at $24, it offers excellent value. The light features programmable scheduling and a robust clamp to securely position the flexible LED arm. Its functionality is straightforward and reliable, with no discernible drawbacks.

Price: $24 on Amazon

Aesthetically Pleasing Plant Lighting

Limited floor space doesn’t preclude plant ownership; consider utilizing wall space instead. Just as a picture can convey a multitude of meanings, plants also hold significant value – certainly comparable to visual art.

If wall décor is lacking, particularly for those whose assets reside in cryptocurrency, LED grow frames offer an attractive solution. These frames, ranging in price around $200 depending on size and shape, are a visually appealing option. However, proper installation of an eight-pound fixture is crucial to prevent accidents, especially with plants displayed on it.

The frame’s LEDs are controllable via the Modern Sprout app and operate on a timer. Utilizing full-spectrum white LEDs, they promote plant growth without the often-unappealing red and blue hues of other grow lights. Careful plant selection is still necessary, as wall-mounted plants will rely solely on artificial illumination. A jade succulent is a suitable choice.

Price: $200 at Modern Sprout

Integrating Grow Lights with Bookshelves

Do bookshelves contain more empty space than books? Expand plant display options by utilizing shelving units.

The Modern Sprout Smart Growbar, costing $119, attaches to the underside of cabinets or shelves using Velcro, providing a convenient location for plant growth.

With ample bookshelf space, consider establishing an indoor herb garden. Regular consumption of fresh basil is highly recommended, and this Growbar can facilitate that. Like the Growframe, it’s app-controlled and emits natural white LED light.

Price: $119 at Modern Sprout

Premium Grow Lights for Dedicated Plant Enthusiasts

Soltech’s grow lights are engineered to resemble high-end lighting fixtures while simultaneously supporting plant development. The $75 Vita Grow Light can be installed in any standard light socket, but its weight exceeds that of a conventional bulb. Therefore, caution is advised when using it in inexpensive lamps, particularly in rentals with basic fixtures.

If your existing lighting is robust, the Vita is a suitable option. Its warm, natural light blends seamlessly with ambient illumination, appearing as a standard lightbulb rather than a specialized grow light. The absence of blue and red hues is a notable benefit.

Soltech also offers ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted light fixtures for a more integrated aesthetic.

Price: $75+ at Soltech Solutions

The Importance of Hydration for Your Plants

Having ensured adequate lighting for your plants, the next crucial step is maintaining proper hydration. Consider a scenario where an extended absence of over a month is anticipated, coupled with living alone in a dimly lit residence. Furthermore, assume your landlord is unwilling to provide an additional key without a $75 fee, a cost you are reluctant to incur.

This situation presents a challenge: how can your plants be watered effectively in your absence without relying on a friend with a key?

Enhance Plant Aesthetics and Maintain Moisture Levels

Plantstraws, a company established by Elin Fyhr and her father, specializes in handcrafted items. These products are conceived and manufactured within a compact studio located in Stockholm. The company refines a familiar DIY plant watering method – utilizing a dampened string to transfer water from a reservoir to the plant’s roots.

Their offering streamlines this process by employing a rope threaded through an elegant brass tube, presenting a more visually appealing alternative to a homemade solution. Plantstraws, despite being Sweden-based, provides worldwide shipping.

A single plant straw is priced around $30. While the promotional imagery showcases the straws with exquisite glassware, they complement readily available containers like mason jars or repurposed bottles equally well. These straws are particularly beneficial for plants with higher water needs, such as money trees or peace lilies. They are less suitable for species preferring drier conditions, like succulents or snake plants.

Price: $30 at Plantstraws

Transform Your Living Space into a Thriving Garden

Considering the importance of water, have you explored the possibilities of hydroponic gardens? These systems are remarkably effective. It's astonishing how much produce can be cultivated with optimized light and hydration, even within a dimly lit apartment lacking traditional outdoor space for plants like tomatoes.

Experience a Modern, High-Tech Gardening Lifestyle

For those passionate about indoor greenery and fresh food, a comprehensive smart garden system represents a worthwhile investment. As colder months approach, eliminate unnecessary trips to the grocery store by cultivating fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even ornamental flowers directly within your home.

The Click and Grow Smart Garden 27 includes three Smart Garden 9 units – typically priced at over $200 each – along with a robust wooden plant stand that is surprisingly simple to put together. This complete system, offered at $600, provides significant value compared to purchasing the individual smart gardens separately.

The process is straightforward: insert Click and Grow plant pods into the Smart Gardens, accommodating up to 27 pods simultaneously with the Smart Garden 27. Subsequently, fill the device’s reservoir with water. To accelerate germination, cover each pod with a plastic dome, removing it once seedlings emerge.

The Smart Garden 27 initially comes equipped with nine basil, nine tomato, and nine lettuce pods. Additional pods are available for purchase in packs of three for $10, equating to $3.33 per pod. A subscription service offers bundled options, reducing the cost to as little as $1.64 per pod.

A diverse range of plants can be grown, including cilantro, blue petunias, kale, bell peppers, wild strawberries, white snapdragons, peas, chives, catnip, arugula, and more. Click and Grow also provides “Grow Anything” soil pods, enabling you to cultivate plants from your own seeds.

Click and Grow’s smart gardens share a common technological foundation. If you prefer a more compact and affordable option, consider the $140 Smart Garden 3, capable of growing three plant pods at once. Position it in your kitchen for a continuous supply of fresh basil, rosemary, and parsley.

Price: $600 at Click and Grow