WiFi app speaks for thirsty plants

Wilted, starving, thirsty houseplants could soon be getting more tender loving care, thanks to a new plant sensor and app that tells owners when it is time for watering and feeding, Reuters reports.

The Koubachi WiFi Plant Sensor, which is placed in the soil of the potted plant, connects with a smartphone app that alerts users when plants need watering, misting, fertiliser or more sun or shade.

“There's very little information when you buy a plant. Most of the time, there's a little sticker that will say it needs a medium amount of light and water every few days. But that's very rough and doesn't apply for most plants,” said Phillipp Bolliger, the inventor of the system and CEO of Koubachi AG, which is based in Zurich, Switzerland, Times Live writes.

The sensor collects data such as soil moisture, light intensity and ambient temperature, which is sent to the app, available for iOS devices and through the Web.

IBN Live says the data is used to customise care plans, delivered via the app, for more than 135 species of plants, including orchids, tomatoes and umbrella plants. The care plans were developed in conjunction with plant physiologists at ETH Zurich, the Swiss Institute of Technology.

Bolliger said the plant care plans can be accessed through the app without purchasing a sensor, but they are more accurate when paired with it.