---
title: "Hello, new plant pops here. I was recommended to purchase a moisture…"
description: "Hello, new plant pops here. I was recommended to purchase a moisture meter. I already have one, but I am not entirely sure how to use it. My meter has a scale…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/tYC73Z7kTqfMsMoIZ8nIBF"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "AJPlantKeeper"
published: "2025-06-11T10:58:30.860735Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/everythingHousePlants.jpg"
---

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# Hello, new plant pops here. I was recommended to purchase a moisture…

_Posted by AJPlantKeeper on 2025-06-11_

Hello, new plant pops here.

I was recommended to purchase a moisture meter. I already have one, but I am not entirely sure how to use it. My meter has a scale from 1 to 10, where 1-3 indicates “Dry,” 4-7 indicates “Moist,” and 8-10 indicates “Wet.” Are “Dry” and “Wet” always undesirable, or does the optimal level vary depending on the type of plant I am caring for?

For instance, I believe rosemary prefers to dry out slightly between waterings. Should I water it until the meter reads “Moist,” then check periodically until it reaches “Dry,” and then water again?

Conversely, for a tomato plant, which I believe requires more consistent moisture, should the soil always read “Moist” when I check it?

## 6 comments

### Jenna commented on 2025-06-11

Definitely depends on the plant! Sounds like you’re on the right track there. Maybe look into if the plants like to dry out halfway, not at all, or completely!

### Sunny commented on 2025-06-11

I don’t recommend solely relying on a moisture meter. They are not precision instruments. Use a secondary method such as inserting a wooden skewer to check for moisture or just using your finger. Also, look at the plant. Some plants droop, curl leaves or get wrinkled leaves when they need water.

Jenna is right that each plant has different moisture requirements. This can change with the environment and time of year.

### zollol commented on 2025-06-11

You use the meter to tell when to water your plants, not how much. Water when the soil is dry, and theres not much more to it. If your plants like to stay dry, give it another day or two.

### AJPlantKeeper commented on 2025-06-11

Thanks all for the info! The plants and I appreciate the help :)

### Nunyabzwx commented on 2025-06-11

Yeah i think you're over thinking the meter. But also use your finger or even pick the plant up to feel its weight. If its light as a feather it needs water. (Just another way to kinda tell if it need water)

### laura 🩷🪴 commented on 2025-06-11

You’re absolutely right that it varies by plant! Lots of good advice here. I’ll add:

You’ll hear folks saying to water certain plants when they are “25% dry” for example — real life application would be to stick your moisture meter into the soil a quarter of the pot depth to see if the top 25% has dried.

As someone said above, picking up the plant to see how light it is is another great way to see if it’s watering time. You’ll get used to the weight of your plants over time and it’ll be easier to tell when certain pots are lightweight and in need of water :)

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