Succulent Lovers’ Favorite Tools

Do you own the favorite tools of your fellow succulent lovers? Consider: We differ from other gardeners in that our prized plants can turn on us. Cacti, agaves, euphorbias and even aloes can act like dogs who resent having their nails trimmed. (I don't know about your pup, but my Chihuahua is a two-person job.)

Being shredded is unpleasant, so I asked my "Celebrating the Joy of Succulents" newsletter subscribers to suggest tools they wouldn't be without. Dale's (below) is new to me, and I'll order it. Most are under $10. All make great gifts for us prickly-plant aficionados. Links are affiliate. 

Don't see your own favorite tool? Tell us about it in the Comments below!

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I asked, you kindly answered

"What garden tools would you not be without?"

Hemostats

Hemostats (forceps)

Jean Sadler: "I would be lost without my hemostats. I have a small and large pair. They are great for picking out leaves and debris from prickly succulents and cactus without getting those pesky thorns in my hands. I found mine at a home show at our fairgrounds. It was a booth that sells all kinds of medical tools, scissors, magnifiers, and such."

15-inch tweezers

15-inch tweezers

Tom Karwin: "The first tool I bring to a succulent grooming project is my 15-inch tweezers. I've been using mine recently to remove debris from small agaves and desiccated leaves from aloes. I also have a shorter tweezer but the longer one is more versatile and easy to use."

Test tube tongs

Test tube tongs

Dale Rekus: "I use test tube tongs for handling prickly pieces or plants and cacti. Tongs grasp the object when you release the pressure, the opposite of usual kitchen tongs. Very nice, no cramps from squeezing the handles the whole time you're holding an item in the tongs.

Fish hook extractor

Fish hook remover

Diane Bonner: "My favorite cactus tool is a fish hook remover for pulling out weeds from under stickery cactus."

Soil knife

Soil knife ("hori-hori")

Sarah Lee Norman: "My favorite garden tool was a gift from Laura Balaoro...a soil knife."

Barb Graue: “My hori hori Japanese gardening knife.”

Chopsticks

Cassie Smith: "I have a set of smooth wooden chop sticks that I use with almost every planting endeavor. I would be lost without 'em."

Which reminds me: During a potting demo at Roger’s Gardens, I asked my helper to get my chopsticks. I watched her dig around in my tote bag and thought I'd forgotten to bring them. Then she said, “Debra, I’m so sorry, there’s no Chapstick.” 

My own favorites

Joyce Chen kitchen scissors 

Joyce Chen scissors. Although designed for kitchen use (like cutting through bones), my Joyce Chens are my favorite garden tool. They're perfect for light pruning and taking cuttings, yet are strong and sharp enough to tackle small branches.

See More on My Tools Page

Find more useful items, books, weed and pest preventers, fertilizers, and must-haves that I use for my own garden at Tools & Must-Haves for Succulent Gardeners.