How to Use a Moisture Meter (Part 2)

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Today, I am going to do a little more on how to use a moisture meter and answer some questions that keep coming up quite frequently from my first video on how to use a moisture meter. So, we’re going to do a bit of a drill-down on using the moisture meter. We are going to use Al here, the beautiful Monstera deliciosa that was repotted a month ago in a video. I’ll put that link below as well. He’s doing really well and has been watered once since he was repotted. Monsteras are big drinkers, and I used the moisture meter at that time. Now, he is nearing the point of needing water again, so this is a good opportunity to use the moisture meter and talk more about some frequently asked questions from the other video.

One thing to keep in mind is that you want to check the moisture in various areas of the soil, as you might find one part that’s moist and another part that isn’t. That’s one common question I get: where should you insert the moisture meter? You’ll want to do it in several areas. If you look here, I checked and it’s pretty dry in one spot, but in another, it’s reading around a 6. So, the moisture level is varying, but there’s still some moisture present. Based on this, I’m not quite sure if it’s time to water him just yet.

Another frequently asked question is: how far down should you push the moisture meter? This is a big one. Often, you’ll hear to water when the first one to two inches of soil is dry, so you’d only insert the moisture meter about an inch or so. For example, I checked Al, and near the edge of the pot, he’s in the red, which is dry. Keep in mind that the edges of terracotta pots, like this one, dry out faster than the center. I then tested the center by going about an inch down, and he’s in the green, reading about a 4. Over here, he’s still in the green. Even though the surface of the soil looks dry, he’s not quite ready for watering.

Now, when you push the meter down further, the reading can change. In the middle, for instance, it’s shifting between red and green around a 4 or 5. I’d say he’s going to need water soon, perhaps in the next day or so. Over here, when I pushed the meter down two or three inches, he’s reading around a 6 or 7. For heavy drinkers like Monstera, I’d suggest checking one to two inches down, and if the meter is approaching the red, it’s time to water.

For succulents, on the other hand, you want to test all the way through the soil, as you want it to be almost completely dry before watering. Succulents can’t tolerate being overwatered, so you don’t want any moisture left in the soil for them.

If you’re working with smaller containers, you wouldn’t need to insert the meter as deeply. In a two-inch pot, for example, you might only insert it half an inch or even an eighth of an inch, depending on the pot size. Container size has a lot to do with how deep you should insert the moisture meter.

A general rule of thumb for most houseplants is to insert the moisture meter down about a third of the pot’s depth. This is a good indicator of how moist the soil is. You can take the plant and measure it against the meter to estimate about a third of the depth, then insert the meter that far. For Al, I’d go about a third of the way down, and he’s still moist, so he doesn’t need water just yet.

Here’s an example with a smaller plant, an African violet that was recently repotted. It’s supposed to be a mini African violet, and for this one, I only went down about an eighth of an inch. It was watered recently, and you can see the soil is still moist. For a small pot like this, I’d only go about an eighth to a quarter of an inch down, and it’s still very moist.

Another common question is whether inserting the moisture meter will disrupt the roots. Keep in mind that healthy plants have extensive feeder root systems, and while you might break a few roots when inserting the meter, those roots will readily grow back if the plant is healthy. You don’t want to jab the meter in aggressively, but if you’re careful and gentle, there’s no need to worry about hurting the plant.

In fact, breaking up the soil a little can be beneficial, as it helps create pathways for water. Sometimes, when you water a plant, the water follows the same pathways in the soil, which means some roots don’t get the water they need. This can lead to root dieback and eventually root rot. Breaking up the soil allows water to reach all the roots. It’s similar to what worms do when they tunnel through the soil, aerating it. Using a moisture meter can provide similar benefits by aerating the roots as well.

That’s about it for using the moisture meter! Please feel free to ask any more questions about moisture meters in the comments section—I’m happy to answer them. A moisture meter is a very good tool that gives a more accurate reading than just using your finger or guessing. While there are other ways to determine when to water, the moisture meter is one of my top picks for accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Using a Moisture Meter

Where should I insert the moisture meter in the soil?

It’s important to check the moisture level in various areas of the soil. One part might be dry while another part still has moisture. Insert the moisture meter in multiple spots to get an accurate reading.

How far down should I push the moisture meter?

For most houseplants, you only need to insert the moisture meter about one to two inches. For larger pots, you can go down about a third of the pot’s depth. For heavy drinkers like Monsteras, check one to two inches down, and if the meter approaches the red zone, it’s time to water.

How deep should I insert the moisture meter in small pots?

In smaller containers, you won’t need to insert the meter as deeply. For example, in a two-inch pot, you might only go down half an inch or even an eighth of an inch, depending on the size.

Do succulents need the moisture meter inserted deeply?

For succulents, it’s important to check the moisture level all the way through the soil, as you want it to be completely dry before watering. Succulents cannot tolerate excess moisture.

Will using a moisture meter disrupt my plant’s roots?

It’s possible to break a few roots when inserting the moisture meter, but healthy plants have extensive feeder root systems, and the roots will grow back. Just be gentle and cautious when inserting the meter.

Why is breaking up the soil with a moisture meter beneficial?

Breaking up the soil helps create new pathways for water. When water follows the same path repeatedly, some roots may not receive the moisture they need. By using a moisture meter, you can aerate the soil and ensure even watering.

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