moisture tester for house plants PlantDoc Moisture Meter - Mini Monstera

moisture tester for house plants PlantDoc Moisture Meter - Mini MonsteraWhat is PlantDoc? You've just found the world's first and only 100% biodegradable, plastic free moisture meter. Meet PlantDoc. Saving lives, one plant at a time. The favourite tool of over waterers, under waterers and worried plant parents. Just what the (plant) doctor ordered to help solve your water worries. How does PlantDoc work? PlantDoc is a colour changing moisture meter that stays in your plant's pot, monitoring the moisture level at a glance.

What is PlantDoc?

You've just found the world's first and only 100% biodegradable, plastic-free moisture meter. Meet PlantDoc. Saving lives, one plant at a time. The favourite tool of over-waterers, under-waterers and worried plant parents. Just what the (plant) doctor ordered to help solve your water worries. 

How does PlantDoc work?

PlantDoc is a colour-changing moisture meter that stays in your plant's pot, monitoring the moisture level at a glance. No more guesswork. Pop it in a dry plant, white side facing out, and water as usual.

PlantDoc changes colour in response to the wet soil and the pattern appears. Your PlantDoc will slowly return to white as the soil dries out and it's time to water again. Simple!

What is PlantDoc made from?

PlantDoc is made from 100% biodegradable, compostable, sustainably-sourced plant-based fibres with non-toxic hydrochromatic colour-changing ink.

When it's ready to replace, pop it in the garden or your compost and PlantDoc completely breaks down with no residues. Safe for curious hands and paws with no harmful dyes or chemicals, making PlantDoc pet safe and kid safe. No batteries required.  

What comes in the box?

One box includes 5 PlantDocs, enough for around one years supply for one plant. One PlantDoc lasts one to six months each (depending on your soil type and watering frequency), so one 5 pack lasts from 5 to 30 months all up. All for just $4 per PlantDoc.

Sustainable, safe, non-toxic, biodegradable AND budget-friendly, a win for plants, plant parents, pets and the planet 💚

What substrates work best?

It might seem obvious, but because PlantDoc absorbs water from the substrate, which makes it change colour to tell you when to water when it dries out again, the substrate makes a difference. If your substrate barely holds much water, PlantDoc won't have as much water to absorb, and won't give as clear readings. That means fine to medium grade substrates with medium to high water retention work best.

Substrates with very low water retention can still work to some extent, but you won't get as accurate readings (like chunky or bark-based substrates), so they aren't the best match for using PlantDoc. No different than other water meters. Chunky substrates don't work well with any water meters. 

How to read PlantDoc

PlantDoc will change colour when wet and slowly return to white as the soil dries. You can decide when to water based on how dry your plant prefers to be.

MOIST

Peace Lily, Maranta, Stromanthe, Fern, Aglaonema, Anthurium and similar

For plants that like to stay lightly moist and are prone to dry leaf tips and margins if left dry for long, water again when PlantDoc is about 1/4 to 1/2 dry*

PARTIALLY DRY

Monstera, Philodendron, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Scindapsus, Epipremnum, Pothos and similar

For plants that prefer partially drying out before watering again, water again when PlantDoc is around 3/4 dry*

FULLY DRY

Hoya, Peperomia, ZZ and similar

For plants that like to fully dry between watering, water again when PlantDoc is fully dry*

DRY FOR A WHILE

Cacti and similar

For plants that love dry conditions for a while between watering, note when PlantDoc turns fully white and water again lightly in a couple of months* 

*Remember ALL moisture meters are only a guide, not gospel. They don't know what type of plant they're in. Moisture meters can only tell you what the moisture level is where they are in the plant, not when to water. You still need to decide when to water according to your plant's needs and your conditions. Moisture meters are a tool to help you read the signs. Don't ignore your plants other signs they need water, such as wilting.

How long does one PlantDoc last?

Although it does depend on how often you water and your type of soil, one PlantDoc normally lasts 3 to 6 months. However (based on my own plants and watering habits), I found it was more around 1 to 3 months in my conditions.

In general I find for plants in a finer soil or plants that prefer to be maintained lightly moist (like a Peace Lily) it'll last shorter, vs plants in a grittier or chunkier mix that like to dry out fully between watering like Succulents and Cacti, where PlantDoc will last a lot longer. PlantDoc also 'reads' moisture better in soil types that are finer or hold more water.

Water your plant, not your PlantDoc! That can shorten its life. PlantDoc breaks down faster in always-wet, finer, more compact soil and lasts longer in drier, aroid-type potting mixes and with plants that prefer to dry out between watering.

When do you change PlantDoc?

You'll know when it's time for a new PlantDoc to take over when your PlantDoc no longer changes colour within half an hour of watering.

PlantDoc is also a great alert for pests and to help protect plant roots, as soil pests like fungus gnat larvae will chomp on your PlantDoc instead of your plant's roots. 

Why does PlantDoc turn brown?

Over time, some types of soils might stain your PlantDoc a brownish colour. More common with new soil or peat-based soils and new bark that have a higher tannin content. The same reason some plants turn drainage water yellowy-brown when you water them. Don't worry, that won't change the performance of your PlantDoc (but you can always change it early for the aesthetics if it does bother you).  

How does PlantDoc compare to other moisture meters?

All moisture meters have their pro's and con's but it can help to compare them to make the best choice for you and your plants. PlantDoc is the only fully biodegradable, plastic-free moisture meter in the world (patent pending).

SUSTEE

The closest type is Sustee. They also last a similar time, they also change colour, but Sustee is made of plastic (the core inside is partially compostable once you remove the plastic parts). PlantDoc is fully compostable and more budget-friendly.

Sustee cost between $16 and $22 per plant with refills around $8 to $11 per plant. PlantDoc are less than $5 per plant. Sustee do have 3 different sizes the largest size makes them better for deeper pots. PlantDoc is best from small to medium pots and measures the top 2 inches / 5cms of soil. Sustee are better for deeper pots. Like PlantDoc, Sustee don't work as well in chunkier substrates.

DIGITAL MOISTURE METERS

Unlike most digital meters, PlantDoc requires no batteries and can (and should!) be left in the plant. Digital water meters need to be moved from plant to plant manually to find out the moisture level. PlantDoc stays in the plant. 

3 IN 1 METERS

PlantDoc is more accurate than 3 in 1 type water meters with probes and gives you an immediate reading as you leave PlantDoc in your plant. The metal probes that 3 in 1 meters are made from erode in water so must NOT be left in plants, and need to be removed, cleaned and kept dry between use.  


PlantDoc don't last forever (I get 1 to 3 months use in my plants), but are fully biodegradable and 100% plastic-free. Good for our plants and the planet!