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No more worrying whether your plants are getting enough (or too much) water.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
However, it is helpful to know before that happens.
If youre new to gardening, Back recommends choosing a simple moisture meter with few features and readings.
More advanced gardeners may find additional readings useful.
Credit: Amazon
TheXlux moisture meteris one of the most widely used meters by gardeners.
Its reliable, accurate, and provides instant results after inserting it into the soil.
Since the meter is sensitive, its best only to use instandard soil.
Credit: Amazon
Trying to force the probe into hard or rocky soil could break it.
Like other meters, you never want to submerge the meter in liquid.
The readings are less precise than a digital meter.
Credit: Amazon
This simple and reliable moisture meterfrom Hathdiais ready to use out of the box and is easy for beginners.
The indicator will show an immediate reading on the 1-through-10 scale, ranging from Dry to Moist to Wet.
Each of these sections is color coded, making it easy to read moisture levels at a glance.
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Once you use the probe, youll want to remove it from the soil and wipe it clean.
This will permanently damage the probe and prevent it from giving accurate readings.
The probe on this meter is shorter than others on our list.
Credit: Amazon
The probe updates the console every 70 seconds, ensuring that you have an incredibly accurate and up-to-date reading.
The only downside is that the probe is a bit shorter than the standard.
The longer probe is more flexible and should be used gently.
Credit: Amazon
Maintaining the right level of moisture for plants in tall pots can be incredibly difficult.
The soil may be bone dry on top, but waterlogged near the bottom of the pot.
Along with the long probe, this meter has the easy-to-read display and accuracy of the original Xlux.
Credit: Amazon
However, the longer probe is more flexible and fragile so it should be used gently.
There arent any readings on the meter itself.
Unlike many other probes, these can be left in the soil.
This meter may be better suited for more experienced gardeners.
Digital displays can make it easier to read a meters reading, plus provide additional measurements.
It can be difficult to read the display due to the small print.
TheSonkir metermeasures three important factors for plant health: water, soil pH, and light.
Soil pH is an important factor in plant health, but one that is often overlooked by beginner gardeners.
Every plant has a pH range that it prefersincorrect soil pH can lead to unhappy plants.
For example, azaleas love acidic soil, but lilacs prefer more alkaline soils.
To use the meter, simply toggle the button between the three modes to measure each factor.
The results will show in the top display.
Virtually all analog meters can be used both indoors and outdoors.
However, some smart meters are designed to only be used indoors with houseplants inself-watering planters.
In the ground, you oughta be sure to not use it in hard soil and avoid rocks.
Probe Length
Most probes are around the same length, approximately 7 inches.
This should be enough length to get deep enough into the soil to accurately measure moisture.
A soil EC meter can measure the conductivity of the soil regarding salt content, Back says.
The higher the salt content reading, the greater chance the roots can be damaged.
By using an EC meter, gardeners canprevent over-fertilizationand root damage.
Most gardens require a neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Temperature:Meters can measure the air temperature or soil temperature.
Smart meters cast their readings to an easy-to- read app or hub.
Your Questions, Answered
How do soil moisture meters work?
Water is a conductor and air is an insulator.
The more water you have in the soil, the higher the conductivity.
Thus, the higher the reading on the meter.
Can plant moisture meters stay in the pot at all times?
How far down do you stick a moisture meter?
Who We Are
This article was written byBetter Homes & GardenscontributorRachel Ahrnsen.
She is a certified master gardener who has experience gardening at home and as caretaker of a community garden.
Rachel spent hours researching the best plant moisture meters for this story.
Back’s job includes educating Kentuckians about gardening and performing soil tests and plant identification.
