Houseplant hacks: do plant care kits actually work? | Houseplants

The problem
Plant care has had a glow-up. There is now an entire regime that’s been lifted straight from the bathroom cabinet: cleanse, hydrate, serum, tone. These beautifully boxed kits promise lush plants, make lovely gifts and look wonderful on a shelf, but the question is: does your monstera actually need a four-step routine?

The hack
The promise is that plants, like skin, thrive on a structured routine, and that investing in a multi-product care kit will reward you with glowing foliage.

The method
Work through the routine. Depending on the kit, this might mean cleansing the leaves, adding feed to the water, then toning and shining the foliage with a spray, serum or oil. Repeat every week.

The test
I worked through each step in turn. The cleanse is genuinely worthwhile, as dust-free leaves absorb light far better, though a damp cloth does the same job. The hydrating and feeding steps were no different from what I already do. The serum was essentially a leaf shine: it left the foliage looking glossy, but products like this can clog the stomata, the tiny pores a plant uses to breathe.

The verdict
The useful steps in this routine are the ones you were already doing: cleaning dust off leaves, hydrating consistently, and feeding sensibly. As a gift, these kits are charming. But your plant does not need a skincare regime. A damp cloth, a decent feed and consistent watering will give you a healthy plant without the artificially glossy leaves. That said, if a boxed set of sprays and serums is what tempts you to sit down with your plants each week and pay them proper attention, they will be all the healthier for it.