Since so many people have trouble deciding on when to water their plants, is having a moisture meter one answer? I see many at Amazon. Some do not even need batteries, are inexpensive, and highly rated overall. I do well and do not lose many plants because I screwed up the watering. But, I know one fault is when I am lazy, or in a hurry and do not stick my finger into each pot before deciding on water. Often the soil will look dry when it is wet and vice versa. I have lost plants because of that. Of course if I am in a hurry I'd probably not use the meter either. Any one here have experience using moisture meters? Gene

Gene, I've used those meters for years. Handy for large pots that may be dry around the root ball but still wet at sides and bottom. I go by feel, or the weight of the plant more than anything. With a new container I use the meter for awhile until I get a good feel for what it weighs wet and dry.

Moisture meters are deceptively scientific and accurate to the point that they will cause you to deny your own common sense. I used them for many years until I learned how they really work and why I was having watering problems.

The meters do not measure water, they measure conductivity of electricity between two types of metal in the tip of the probe. Because water is a good conductor, the assumption is that the wetter the soil, the greater the conductivity. While that is generally true, other factors such as mineral salts, hard water and soil compaction also affect conductivity. Thus, the metters work in some circumstances but not others and it is very difficult to distinguish between them.

Meters also tend to break down after constant use and can become expensive.

To determine soil moisture deep in larger pots, use a simply soil probe such as Soil Sleuth. It is simple, plastic and lasts forever. It is also more reliable.

As for laziness, I don't have an answer!

I have one. I used it a lot years ago, to train my own senses, for how the soil and plant looked and for weight; as I my hands have worked hard for so long they seem a little insensitive to feel the soil. I do use a dowel if in question more now, but long ago, a meter greatly improved my success rate. It is also kinder on a manicure.

I pulled it out recently to use on things like I have received from you, that want to be drier than I am thus far familiar with. I don't really need it, but it does serve as a back up for me when I feel unsure.

I have seen some strong opinions against them here. Not sure why. They are great when you are in a hurry, Gene. They give a reading fast. I keep a cloth glove on one hand to wipe between plants.

We were down this road recently on the "Ask a Question" forum.

The thread "Moisture gauge" in Ask a Question forum

You need to calibrate your meter against some other kind of measurement (like your finger or a dowel or a chopstick, or best of all visual inspection with your own eyes upon repotting), but that's sort of a given. If you aren't doing that, why bother really. The mechanism by which the meter functions (conductivity) makes it quite reliable as an additional way to assess the moisture content of a given pot.

It's a mistake to fault the meter (or the mechanism by which it works) based on faulty assumptions regarding its use.

WillC said:Meters also tend to break down after constant use and can become expensive.

Certainly not mine, which was the cheapest I could find when I bought it. The analog meters work just fine.

@WillC, looking into soil sleuths. Never heard of them. Thank you.

lauriebasler said:@WillC, looking into soil sleuths. Never heard of them. Thank you.

Yes, thanks for mentioning it. I looked it up and it sounds really interesting. I think I want to order one soon. All of my houseplants will be coming back inside soon. It should come in handy over the winter.

Sounds like an ad to me.

I reported it.

It is a soil probe. I have no vested interest in promoting it, but I know it is readily available online and is relatively inexpensive.

Is it not allowed to ever mention any products by brand name? I have seen many references to brand name fertilizers, potting mixes and plant stores here.

I think that's fine. Promotion is a little different. Especially as the first and only post from somebody. (Said post having been deleted, hopefully everyone's not too confused.)

I'm reading this thread with avid interest as I'm a newcomer to the world of plants and am keen to prevent overwatering my beloved indoor specimens. Has anyone had much success with the soil sleuth? My immediate concern after reading about it is whether it would damage the roots. Perhaps one should only insert near the edge of the pot, where there is less chance of hitting a root? Any thoughts?

I have used that particular soil probe for many years. It does not damage the roots unless you are constantly stabbing it into the soil, which you would never do. There is also some small benefit from aerating the soil with the probe, regardless of the brand. You can use it to probe the soil anywhere into the rootball.

I got a moisture meter after killing my elephant foot palm...I use it on my plants that need more moisture to them but I still learning so I'm more comfortable if I use it in conjunction with checking the moisture in the soil with my finger. Thanks

@Mardel - Just curious if there is a conflict between what the meter is reading and what your finger tells you, which do you go with?

WillC said:@Mardel - Just curious if there is a conflict between what the meter is reading and what your finger tells you, which do you go with?

My finger especially if I've had that plant for a bit than I know what it prefers.

@Mardel - You are smarter or more disciplined than I was. Years ago when I used a moisture meter I had a very hard time ignoring the apparent precision and scientific accuracy of the meter so I ignored my finger and eyes. That got me into a lot of trouble until I finally decided to just stop using the meter and rely on my sense of touch. Learning that the meters are not really measuring just moisture helped me escape the meter reliance.

Not smarter, I've killed alot of plants before I knew what worked for me. You will too find what works for you and you will see how successful you will be in maintaining your plants. Good luck

So what about those 'self watering' things? That you fill with water and supposedly it senses when it needs to release water and it waters for you. I know its not the same thing but how do those work?

Gina - There are many different kinds of self-watering devices. Some use simple wicks to transport water held in a reservoir below the pot. More sophisticated ones are set up with a special porous substrate below the soil and a water reservoir below that and a sensor that reveals when the water reservoir needs to be refilled for the top. There is another type that is based on a vacuum seal around a special sensor inserted into the soil at an appropriate depth.

There are other systems as well, but all of the better self-watering devices require proper set-up from the outset if they are to work properly. Sometimes the sensors fail for different reasons, so regular monitoring is still required. Their primary advantage is that they provide a reservoir that allows for a longer period of time between watering refills. That is helpful for people who travel a lot. But they are not fool or idiot-proof.

If you search inder "subirrigation devices" you can find lots more information.