Repotting houseplants is an inevitable task as they grow larger, and I had always accepted this would be a messy job, especially in my previous small apartment with no outdoor space. I had no other choice but to repot my plants in my kitchen and accept the fate of having to then clean up potting soil that somehow manages to get into every corner.
But, I've just come across one of the most simple tools that not only keeps interiors mess-free when tending to indoor plants, but also reduces the amount of potting soil going to waste: an indoor potting mat, like this one from Amazon.
I wish I'd discovered this clever tool sooner, with corners that click together to create a contained area. It only costs $6.98, too, and those who have already bought it say, 'It makes repotting and gardening projects so much easier and cleaner. The raised edges keep all the soil contained, and when done, you can just fold it up and shake it out – no mess left behind.' It's the perfect solution for indoor gardening, balcony gardening, or just keeping mess to a minimum when tending to an outdoor container garden.
Made from high-density PE waterproof fabric, this indoor potting mat keeps houseplant tasks tidy. It can be wiped clean and collects potting soil to reuse, reducing waste. It assembles easily, with the four corners snapping together and it can then be flattened and folded away for easy storage. This mat measures 26.8"x26.8", but larger sizes are also available.
Why Use an Indoor Potting Mat
An indoor potting mat seems like such an easy solution to mess-free indoor gardening, but it's a tool I never really thought of searching for.
Instead, I would brace myself for the clean-up after repotting my largest houseplants, with inevitable soil spillages, especially when repotting my huge monstera.
The most annoying part is when crumbs of soil get into unreachable crevices, like in wood grooves or between tiles. Above all, it leaves you worrying if it will attract pests.
But, by putting down an indoor potting mat, you can tend to plants without the worry of soil going everywhere. Plus, it collects any soil that does escape from pots, so you can reuse perfectly good potting soil, saving money and reducing waste.
It isn't just for repotting plants, either. It can serve as a good base for inspecting plants for common houseplant pests, cleaning houseplant leaves, and even bottom watering houseplants.
What Shoppers Love About the Amazon Indoor Potting Mat
There are lots of indoor potting mats on the market, but this particular indoor potting mat from the Onlysuki Store on Amazon caught my attention because it has a 4.7 star rating and over 11,000 reviews.
'It’s lightweight but sturdy, easy to wipe clean, and folds up small enough to store in a drawer,' one five-star reviewer says.
'Perfect for indoor gardening, balcony planting, or anywhere you don’t want to deal with dirt all over the floor,' they add.
It seems shoppers are just as delighted by this find as me:
'Such a simple idea, but so useful. I have two different sizes and I wish I’d gotten one sooner,' one person writes.
There's no doubt it helps contain potting soil when repotting, but shoppers also say it's particularly useful when dealing with wet soil.
'The mess of wet soil was totally contained,' another five-star reviewer says. 'In addition, I used this mat to control the mess I make when creating artificial floral designs and arrangements. This mat is functional, durable and really makes any mess a breeze to clean up. I recommend it!' they add.
It's true, this indoor potting mat makes a great addition to a range of indoor garden activities. From repotting tall indoor plants without a single crumb of soil escaping, to keeping materials and cuttings contained when arranging flowers.
A bonus is it comes in a number of sizes, the smallest being 26.8"x26.8" for tabletop work, and the largest being 43.5"x29.5" suiting larger plants.
It's hard to find a downside to this indoor potting mat, especially considering it costs less than $7. Perhaps the only thing to note is it isn't the prettiest of designs, with a plain green color.
But, you can shop around and find patterned indoor potting mats to suit your interior aesthetic (like this colorful foliage print indoor potting mat from Walmart). Plus, these mats are designed to be out just while you work and then folded up and stored away when finished, so its look may not be an important factor.
Other Tools to Keep Indoor Gardening Tidy
It isn't just indoor potting mats that you can add to your plant care kit to keep things tidy, I've discovered a range of handy tools for mess-free indoor gardening to go alongside the mat:
This compact brush and pan are designed to quickly tidy up soil spillages when tending to plants indoors. It's lightweight, easy to store, and the brush bristles are designed to quickly scoop up potting soil.
Wear this canvas garden apron to keep your clothes clean when tending to indoor plants. It has multiple pockets to carry all your tools conveniently.
This charming indoor plant tool set has mini trowels and rakes to help with repotting without having to clumsily use larger trowels intended for outdoor use. It contains 12 tools and a canvas bag to keep them stored.
Alongside using an indoor potting mat to keep indoor gardening tidy, consider upgrading your houseplant display with an indoor growing system. These are special set-ups designed to support plant growth and reduce indoor plant mistakes.
