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This Handy Device Will Tell You If You're Over or Under Watering Your Plants, and It's on Sale

It’s earned more than 38,100 five-star ratings

XLUX Soil Moisture Meter
Photo:

Better Homes & Gardens / Tyler Roeland

One of the keys to a thriving garden is providing just the right amount of water to your plants. But it’s not always easy to tell whether you’ve watered them enough or too much, especially if you have multiple plants with different watering needs. The solution? A soil meter like this best-selling Xlux option from Amazon. It’s insanely popular, with more than 38,100 five-star ratings, and it’s only $11. 

Thanks to the meter’s easy-to-read dial marked with wet, moist, and dry indicators, determining the moisture level requires no guesswork. Using the device couldn’t be simpler: Just stick the probe 2 to 5 inches into the soil, wait for the pointer to stop moving to check the soil reading, and wipe the probe after using it. Plus, it doesn’t require any batteries, so it’s ready to use right away. According to one shopper, the gadget is so easy to use that their grandson was able to tell which plants “needed a drink.” Just be sure you don’t use it in hard soil or liquids to keep the meter running smoothly.  

XLux Soil Moisture Meter

XLUX Soil Moisture Meter

Amazon

Orig. $13 $11 at Amazon

The slim 7-inch probe causes minimal disturbance to the soil and roots to avoid damaging your plants. Reviewers also appreciate that it helps them determine the moisture level at varying soil depths. “If it [has] high moisture at the bottom, I might just spray the top of the plant,” they shared. “It’s really helped me control how much I water my plants and therefore how they survive.” Instead of wasting time (and water) on plants that don’t need watering, shoppers are now able to only tend to the plants that are too dry. 

Even if you don’t have a large garden, the soil meter will come in handy for indoor plants, too. And it’s a useful tool for new gardeners who might have trouble determining when and how much to water their plants. One beginner gardener said, “I have a whole new confidence in how to take care of my plants.”

Whether you’re new to gardening or a plant pro, the XLux soil meter will become your new favorite tool. Grab it for just $11, and shop more gardening tools from Amazon below. 

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