Potted Soil Moisture Meter

Knowing when to water your plants is arguably the most challenging aspect of looking after plants💧 Fortunately we have the perfect solution! The Potted Soil Moisture Meter is a reliable and stylish essential for every plant parent! 🌱

What Is a Moisture Meter?

A moisture meter is a small hygrometer that measures how much moisture is present in soil. Moisture meters are easy to use and usually have one or two metal probes that are pushed down into the soil to provide a reading.

Why Use a Moisture Meter?

For those who struggle with watering their plants appropriately, a moisture meter is a handy tool that can help prevent overwatering or underwatering. No need to stick your fingers in the soil of your plants in an effort to guess whether the soil is dry or not anymore—a moisture meter can give you a definitive answer. Plus, a moisture meter reads more than just the top few inches of soil. The reading given is accurate for up to a foot below the surface.

How Do Moisture Meters Work?

Moisture meters use the principle of electrical resistance to measure the conductivity of the soil.1 Simply put—because water conducts electricity well, high moisture content in the soil is measured by higher electrical currents, whereas lower electrical currents indicate drier soil. 

HOW TO USE

1. Push the Metal Probe Into the Soil

Gently push the metal probe about 3/4 of the way down into the soil. If you meet resistance, remove the probe and try another spot. You don’t want to force it as the probe is sensitive.

2. Wait 30 to 60 Seconds

The Pottet Soil Moisture Meter gives a reading within 30 to 60 seconds. If you don’t see a reading after 60 seconds, remove the probe, gently wipe it down, and try again in a different location.

3. Read the Results

Once the results are ready, the Potted Soil Moisture Meters is easy to read. The display will show you whether the soil is dry, moist or wet. 

How to Interpret the Results

You’ve measured the moisture of your soil using a moisture meter—now what? Next, it's time to interpret the results and decide whether it’s time to water your plant. For example, a result on the dry end of the scale will mean different things for different plants. For cacti and succulents that are perfectly happy in dry soil, you may choose to wait a bit longer before watering, especially if they don’t get prolonged periods of direct sunlight. However, for plants like pothos and philodendron, a dry reading means it’s time for water. Further still, some plants like ferns and calatheas like to sit in consistently moist soil and shouldn’t be allowed to dry out at all. Make sure you have an idea of what your plant needs before you decide whether it’s time to water or not based on a reading from your moisture meter.

How to Clean and Store the Potted Soil Moisture Meter

Once you have finished using your Potted Soil Moisture Meter, remove it from the soil and gently wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth. Moisture meters should never be left in soil when they are not in use as this will degrade the sensitive probe. Store your moisture meter in a dry location between uses. 

Troubleshooting 

Do not submerge the probe in water to test if it works—moisture meters are designed to work in soil only and will not provide a reading in water.

Very chunky soil may give you an inaccurate reading due to the additional air within the soil.

If the meter doesn't display a reading within 60 seconds, remove the metal probe from the soil, wipe it down with a clean dry cloth, and try again in a different location. 

If the needle in the display window is bouncing around and does not settle, the probe could be touching a small rock or piece of metal in the soil. Remove the probe and try again in a different location.