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PlantSense
PlantSenseKnow Your Plants

Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we hear most, grouped by topic. If yours isn't here, reach out and we'll help.

Getting Started

+What do I need to get started?

Your PlantSense probe and its USB-C cable, the free PlantSense Connect app, and a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. That's everything — no hub, no wiring, no tools.

+How do I set it up?

Charge the sensor over USB-C, then press power until the LED pulses green. Open PlantSense Connect, create your account, and let the app pair with the sensor over Bluetooth. Give it your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi details, place the probe in the soil, and identify your plant. The Quick Start Guide walks through each step.

+Which app do I need, and what does it cost?

PlantSense Connect — free, with no subscription, ever. It's coming soon to the App Store for iPhone (in App Review now), with Android on the way. There's also a web dashboard at app.myplantsense.com you can sign in to from any browser today.

+Do I need Wi-Fi?

Yes — a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. The sensor uses it to send readings to the app, so you can check in from anywhere. Bluetooth is used only once, during first-time setup.

The Sensor

+What does the sensor measure?

Four things: soil moisture (volumetric water content from 0 to 100%, via a corrosion-resistant capacitive probe), air temperature, air humidity, and light (reported as peak lux). The app also shows the sensor's battery level and Wi-Fi signal.

+How long does the battery last, and how do I charge it?

Weeks on a single charge. The sensor sleeps between readings — about one every 90 minutes — to stretch the battery, and recharges over USB-C. You'll get a notification when it's running low, with plenty of time to top it up.

+Can it handle water and daily watering?

Yes. The electronics are sealed and water-safe, with no exposed metal to corrode, so you can water your plant as usual with the probe in place.

+How should I place the probe?

Push it into the soil near the root zone. In a small pot, angle it in as you insert it so the sensing section stays down in the root zone as the soil settles.

The App

+What can I do in the app?

See every plant's health at a glance, then open a plant for live dials (moisture, temperature, humidity, light, battery, and Wi-Fi), its species care info, and history charts for every metric. Tap any dial to jump straight to its chart.

+Can I monitor more than one plant?

Yes. Add as many sensors as you like. Each plant gets its own dials, history, care ranges, and alerts, and they all live together in one list — from a windowsill herb to a whole home full of greenery.

+Is there a web dashboard?

Yes, at app.myplantsense.com. Sign in with the same account and you'll see all your plants and their history on a larger screen.

+Can the app identify my plant?

Yes, using PlantNet. Take a photo and it names the species, then loads that plant's ideal care ranges automatically so your dials and alerts are set up correctly from the start.

+Is there a home-screen widget?

On iPhone, yes. Pick a plant and its health and key readings appear right on your home screen, in light or dark mode.

Data & Alerts

+How fresh is my data?

Readings arrive about every 90 minutes. The sensor sleeps in between to preserve battery — which is plenty for plants, whose conditions change gradually.

+What alerts will I get?

A push notification when a plant needs water, and one when a sensor's battery is running low.

+Can I control when I'm alerted?

Yes. Each plant has its own min/max thresholds for moisture, temperature, humidity, and light. Identifying the plant sets sensible defaults; adjust them in the plant's settings to make alerts stricter or more relaxed.

+Does it know when I last watered?

It works that out on its own from the moisture readings — no logging required — and does the same for charging. From the pattern it estimates what's next, like "Water in ~3 days."

+Can I fine-tune the moisture readings?

Yes. Use Calibrate Dry and Calibrate Wet in the app to set the two ends of the moisture scale for your specific soil. Most plants never need it, but it's there when you want extra precision.

Connectivity

+Which Wi-Fi networks work?

2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The sensor doesn't use 5 GHz, so if your router broadcasts both bands, choose the 2.4 GHz network during setup.

+What is Bluetooth used for?

First-time setup only. The app uses Bluetooth to find the sensor and hand it your Wi-Fi details. After that, the sensor reports over Wi-Fi on its own.

+What do the LED colors mean?

Pulsing green means the sensor is awake and ready to pair. Solid green means it's connected to Wi-Fi and reporting. No light usually means it needs a charge.

+Does it work with Home Assistant?

Yes. PlantSense runs on ESPHome and works with Home Assistant, both locally and in the cloud. It's built on open standards, so your data stays yours.

Account & Privacy

+How do I create an account?

In PlantSense Connect, sign up with your email — or continue with Apple or Google.

+Is there a subscription or any fee?

No. PlantSense Connect is free, with no subscription, ever. The app, the web dashboard, and updates are all included.

+Who owns my data?

You do. PlantSense is built on open standards, and your data is yours — both locally and in the cloud.

+How do I get help?

Email [email protected] or visit the support page. We're glad to help.

Support

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help. Send us an email and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can.