FAQ

I have plants and don’t know what they are? Even when I buy them brand new, they are often not identified.  How am I supposed to know what to do?

Google Lens (built into Google Photos)
You take a photo of the plant and the app will then provide you with the name and other information.

iPhone If you take a photo of a plant, flower, tree, or animal, you can find out exactly what it is by tapping the Info button on the bottom of the screen; if your iPhone knows what it is, a symbol with stars will appear at the bottom of the photo. The metadata details will tell you what the plant or animal is and will also give you an option to look up more information about it.

WaterWhen® provides plant care information for each plant you register.  You can register all your plants, if you choose, after purchasing one Pod™.

What is the correct watering schedule?

The watering schedule for a single plant changes constantly based on:

•         the location of heater/air conditioning vents

•         brightness and length of sunlight around the plant

•         the time of year when a plant is either active or dormant

•         the use of grow lights

•         the type of soil

•        the type of pot

•        the dryness preference of the plant

Sound complicated?  WaterWhen Pods take the guessing out.

How do I run a parallel test along with the Pods to make sure everything is working properly?

1.  We provide a  patent pending Soil Gauge™

2.  Insert the Soil Gauge into the Soil: Gently insert the Soil Gauge vertically between the pot and the soil near the edge of the plant, making sure to push it down to the bottom of the plant. Be careful not to damage the plant's roots.

3.  Observe the Soil Gauge: After inserting the Soil Gauge into the soil, remove the stick and examine it.

4.  Check Moisture Level: Look at the Soil Gauge to determine the moisture level of the soil. If the Soil Gauge comes out moist or with soil sticking to it, the soil is still sufficiently moist, and you can hold off on watering. If the Soil Gauge comes out dry or nearly dry, it's time to water your plant, unless you have a succulent/cactus that prefers intervals of dryness.

5.  Repeat as Needed: Repeat the Soil Gauge method in different areas of the pot to get an overall sense of the soil moisture level. This can help ensure accuracy, especially in larger pots where moisture levels may vary.

Why are the Pods smarter than the Soil Gauge alone?

• Unless you water perfectly even, a stick often has different readings from outside to center.  If this difference is 1/3 of the soil or more, which is what we sometimes found in testing, it is enough to incorrectly water and stress the plant.

• As the Pod uses weight and our proprietary dryness profile rather than simply moistness to gauge the time to water, this does not matter.

• When readings change with the Soil Gauge by over 20% from side to center and you have a plant that can be saturated, it is time to saturate.

Any tricks for making house plants harder to kill?

According to Apartment Therapy, paper coffee filters are a houseplant owner's secret weapon. Lining your planter with a coffee filter encourages more even water distribution. When moisture reaches the bottom of the pot, much of it will be absorbed by the paper. Paper filters retain moisture for a while, and though it isn't enough to promote rot, it can act as a kind of water reserve when your plant is starting to get parched.

What questions would you like answered?