Keep Your Plants in Tip-Top Shape with The Best Single Stem Supports
Plants have been a staple in the home for centuries. They are decorative, purify the air, and can even help improve your mood. But one of the most common problems with houseplants is lack of support. When plants are not supported properly, they can droop or bend over because their stems cannot support them. This can often lead to plant death. The best way to avoid this is by using single stem supports. With the proper support, you can grow healthier and taller plants with little effort. Using a single stem to support your climbing or cascading plants is an easy way to let them flourish in any space. While you're deciding on getting a plant support stake, keep in mind that there are many different options to choose from. We've compiled a list of the finest single stem supports in 2021 to assist you in your search for the perfect one.
Best Single Stem Supports Buying Guide
Plants need light, water, and nutrients to grow, but they also need support. Without support, they are likely to tip over or fall over. Buying the proper plant support is crucial to their survival. There are many different types of single stem supports available, and it can be confusing to decide which one will work best for your particular plant. Don't worry. Read on this guide to discover the benefits of stem support and things to look for while buying one.
Why should you use single stem support?
Plant stakes and supports are an often overlooked but essential component to growing healthy, happy plants. There are many benefits to using them, both in aesthetics and plant health, and some are mentioned below.
Promote healthy growth
Plants that are well-supported look fuller and lusher than those that aren't. Stem supports are an inexpensive way to improve the look of your plants. It also allows plants to grow upright to their full height without getting twisted.
Prevent overgrowth
Many plants, such as succulents, develop mats of leaves as they grow. Single stem support keeps the leaves from overgrowing, helping the plant to maintain its shape.
Keeps plants untangled
Plants like ivy, hosta, and ferns can flop over and dry out if left unsupported. They support these fragile plants and prevent them from becoming tangled with other plants.
Protect against harsh weather
Plants that lean against walls or fences in windy conditions can develop weak stems. Stakes prevent the wind from pulling plants over and also support plants in windy conditions.
Things to keep in mind while buying single stem supports
Choosing single stem supports for your garden is a fun project. Here are a few things to consider when selecting plant stakes.
Material
The first thing you might notice is the material of the single stem support. They are made of metal, wood, or plastic.
- Metal stakes are more durable and provide better support for your plants. These stakes are often rust-resistant, so try to get metal stakes if you live in a humid climate.
- Wood stakes are lighter, less expensive, and can be painted to match your plants, but they tend to rot quickly when exposed to moisture, so they cannot be used outside.
- Plastic supports, on the other hand, are weather and pest-resistant, which makes them perfect for outside plants.
Your plant stake should be made of sturdy and high-quality material so you can use them for a long time.
Gauge thickness
The next thing to notice is the metal thickness. The gauge thickness ranges between 1-40mm. It means the higher the range, the thinner your stake will be. So, choose a stake falling in a lower range as it will be sturdier and won't bend.
Length and diameter
Single stem supports are available in several lengths. A 24-inch stake is suitable for most plants. For larger plants, consider stakes that are 36 inches long or more.
Plant stakes come in various diameters, from a 1/2-inch to a 2–3-inch diameter. Once you find a length that works for you, choose a stake with the right diameter for your plant (a plant's support should be no more than 3–4 inches in diameter).
Setup location
Before you buy single stem support, consider how you're going to use them. If you plan to use stakes with plastic plant pots, consider metal stakes since they won't twist or bend. If you're growing directly in the soil, you might prefer the flexibility that plastic stakes offer.
When should you add additional single stem support to the plant?
To have a healthy and thriving garden, you need to know when the time is right to replace the single stem support from plants. If the plant has reached its maximum height, a single stem will not be able to support a plant and will eventually break. However, you can resolve the issue by simply following these simple guidelines.
It is important to always have enough stems to support plants, so they don't become top-heavy and fall over. A good rule of thumb is that you should add additional stems every time the plant's height doubles. If the plant starts growing in an unusual direction, it may be due to too much weight on one side. You can also correct this by adding additional stems that will balance out the weight distribution.
How much does single stem support cost?
Single stem supports are an important investment for plants. Without support, plants can lean on each other, which can cause them to bend and break the stem or even cause them to topple over. You can find single stem support in many different styles and price ranges, but typically, you can expect to pay anywhere between $25 to $40 per pack. One pack of single stem support usually has 15-20 stakes which are good value for money.
The Best Single Stem Support You Can Buy In 2021
LEOBRO Single Stem Supports
– Best Overall
Keep your plants upright and healthy with LEOBRO’s single stem supports. These stakes are constructed with durable steel and finished with a green plastic coating for optimal weather resistance and stability. It has a smooth finish that gives your plant an aesthetic appeal and blends in naturally. The stem is open enough to hold small plants or small stem vegetation like roses, lilies, peonies and tomatoes etc. The inner diameter is wide enough, so it won’t interfere with the growth of your plants.
Compared with traditional wooden or bamboo stakes, these stainless-steel garden stakes are rustproof, water-resistant, and strong enough to hold up your most robust plants. What’s more, they are reusable and won’t fray if left outside for a long time. Just wipe them clean at the end of the season and safely store them away for use next time. They come in a set of 4 pieces at a very affordable price.
- More durable and sturdy than wooden stakes
- Rustproof and water-resistant stainless-steel material
- Reusable – can be cleaned and stored
- Only 4 pieces in one pack
Tingyuan Single Stem Supports
– Runner Up
Looking for a significant garden stake to support your plants? Tingyuan is a lightweight and easy-to-use stake that provides sturdy and stable support to your plants. It is made of 11-gauge steel and is coated with green powder, which enables it to blend into the background without disrupting the natural beauty of the garden.
These single stem supports are 24″ long with a 2″ diameter loop at the top, allowing the stems of your plants to slip through the gap. Whether you are using these stakes to support seedlings or full-grown tomato plants, they are strong enough to provide reliable support for all kinds of garden needs. These stakes are made of rugged steel that is guaranteed not to rust or bend, even in rainy weather, and one pack of single stem support contains 20 pieces. Yes, that’s true!
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Aesthetically pleasing green coating to blend in naturally with plants
- 20 pieces per pack
- 11mm gauge steel makes it thin and flimsy
- Too tall for some plants
RAIKEDR Single Stem Supports
– Honorable Mention
RAIKEDR offers a set of 5 sturdy single stem supports made of stainless steel that will not rust, burn, or degrade. Each stake can be adjusted in length from 16 inches to 30 inches. How? Just insert the first stake on top of the second one, and done! They make great support for leafy greens, tomatoes, beans, pumpkins and even trees. These stakes also work great for holding small plants and keeping their leaves up off the ground.
Unlike other stem supports in the market, this one has a 3 inches diameter open loop at the top to keep the plant upright and straight. Although these stem supports are lightweight, they are hard to bend, rustproof and water-resistant. Just try not to move the support stem during the growing season as it can affect the growth of plants.
- Ideal length of 16 inches to support different plants
- 3 inches diameter to keep the plants straight and upright
- Robust steel construction makes it hard to bend
- Steel body is aesthetically unpleasing
HiGift Single Stem Supports
– Contender
Tired of having all of the flower stems fall over or into each other? Get HiGift single stem supports to keep your plants straight! They are made of 4mm gauge steel, painted with a green coating to prevent rusting. Not only that, but the green coating also gives a natural look to the plant hence enhancing the overall visual appeal. These stakes are sturdy and robust enough, so the plant stays upright.
These cute green stakes are designed at a 90-degree right angle for keeping your plants at the perfect angle to show off their beauty. They come in a pack of 5, so you can have enough for all your potted plants! These plant support stakes are great for indoor and outdoor use. The best thing is they won’t fade under strong sunlight and heavy rain. If you’re a flower or vegetable gardener, then these stakes are for you!
- Galvanized green coating to prevent rusting
- Designed for both indoor and outdoor use
- UV and weather resistant
- Too thick for certain plants like amaryllis and tulip
- Difficult to adjust for different plant heights
Last but not least, MTB offers an 18 inches lightweight single stem supports that can support any plant, whether they are in the pot or in the ground. Each stake is made of sturdy steel wire, which is further coated with green powder to withstand corrosion from harsh climates. And the green-coloured stems blend seamlessly with surrounding plants.
It has an open loop that is perfectly capable of supporting any tough plant against strong winds. These lightweight and easy-to-use single stem supports are great for supporting plants or hanging dried herbs and flowers. Use them in your garden, indoors or outdoors. Each pack contains 20 pieces, so you don’t have to invest in an individual item.
- Green coating to resist corrosion
- Lightweight and easy to use
- One pack contain 20 pieces – good value for money
- Flimsy and thin
- Cannot support some plants like tomatoes.
Single Stem Support FAQ
A: There are many different things that you can do to help your plants grow. Some plants need more tending than others, but it's important to remember that plants need water, light, and nutrients to thrive. Maybe your natural light is limited, or you can't provide the right amount of humidity for your thirsty plant.
A: Single stem supports are typically 8 to 24 inches tall, which helps keep plants at the perfect level. Try getting single stem support within this height range to keep your plants in perfect shape.
A: You should plant your plant stakes about 3 inches below the soil level.
