Thirsty plants no more: Smart sensors simplify plant care (2025)

A new sensor system for plant care is currently seeking financial support through a crowdfunding campaign. According to its creators, the system incorporates professional cultivation technology whilst remaining accessible to those who wish to take proper care of their plants or grow more challenging species. Smart solutions for hobbyist gardeners are not entirely new and are readily available from retailers such as Amazon.

The system consists of two components: a probe and a base unit. Users simply have to insert the three-pronged probe into the soil and then connect it to the base unit with a short cable. No additional wiring is required because the device supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for connectivity and is equipped with a battery, which can provide up to three months of use with just around an hour of charging.

Two versions of the system are available. The Oko+ sensor is able to monitor water levels, temperature, pH value and air humidity, whilst the Oko Lite only provides water level readings. Users can be reminded to water their plants via a companion app. However, access to specific care instructions and historical data requires a paid subscription, which costs a rather hefty £5 (approx. $6.62) per month.

Backers of the Kickstarter campaign currently need to pledge around £55 ($73) for the Oko+ and £35 ($47) for the Lite version. As with most crowdfunding campaigns, potential backers should be mindful of the financial risks associated with this project.

Source(s)

Editor of the original article: Silvio Werner - Senior Tech Writer - 13652 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2017

I have been active as a journalist for over 10 years, most of it in the field of technology. I worked for Tom’s Hardware and ComputerBase, among others, and have been working for Notebookcheck since 2017. My current focus is particularly on mini PCs and single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi – so in other words, compact systems with a lot of potential. In addition, I have a soft spot for all kinds of wearables, especially smartwatches. My main profession is as a laboratory engineer, which is why neither scientific contexts nor the interpretation of complex measurements are foreign to me.

Translator: Zhiwei Zhuang - Translator - 321 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2022

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, I moved from Singapore toCologne in 2014 and began pursuing a career as a freelance translator. Much of my translation workfocuses on science, engineering and technology. My fascination with computers and mobileelectronics began when I was young. And I have fond memories reading countless tech and gamingmagazines. Working with Notebookcheck gives me the opportunity to incorporate my personalinterests into my professional work.