Support

Known Issues

I'm trying to print my results, but all I get is a blank page! What am I doing wrong?

We apologize for this inconvenience. We will implement a more elegant printing solution in the future. Until then, please follow the steps below in order to print your results.

Note: We do realize this procedure is tedious; it is not intended to be a long-term solution!
1. If you are not signed in to our website yet, click Sign in on the upper-right corner of the PlantSmart website. Enter your email address and password. (As an alternative, you can simply insert your sensor, which will automatically log you into the website.)
2. Click on My Readings, then choose the reading whose results you would like to print.
3. In your My Readings tab, click on Top Recommendations or All Recommendations, depending on how many results you would like to print (Top Recommendations shows you only the most popular varieties that would thrive in your location).
4. Choose List View, if you prefer to have your recommendations print as a tidy chart.
5. From the drop-down menu to the left, you can choose Show 48 (or Show 24) in order to increase the number of plants appearing on each page.
6. Select all the plant recommendations you would like to print, then press Ctrl+C (⌘+C on a Mac).
7. Open your favorite word processor (i.e. Microsoft Word).
8. To paste your recommendations, press Ctrl+V (⌘+V on a Mac).
9. Repeat steps 6-8 for each additional page and/or reading you would like to print.
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I can’t change the mode. I keep getting this message "You have not plugged in your PlantSmart Plant Sensor."

First check to make sure that your firewall is not blocking the PlantSmart.exe program. If you are not running a firewall, or have verified that the PlantSmart.exe is allowed to pass through your firewall, please contact us at support@plantsense.com so that we can help resolve this issue.

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When I insert the device into the USB port, I see the message "error connecting to website."

If this message pops up in the bottom right corner of your screen, first check to make sure that your firewall is not blocking the PlantSmart.exe program. If you are not running a firewall, or have verified that the PlantSmart.exe is allowed to pass through your firewall, please contact us at support@plantsense.com

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I accidentally stopped my sensor before 24 hours passed on my Recommend/Monitor reading. When I realized this after an hour or so, I then turned it back on for the remaining hours. Will this affect my reading?

Our algorithms are optimized for an uninterrupted 24-hour minimum reading. If a reading is interrupted before the requisite 24 hours, you won't get any useful feedback.

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I can't set my sensor to Recommend mode in Internet Explorer 7 with McAfee Security Center running. Also, my dashboard looks strange when I attempt Monitor mode. How can I fix this?

McAfee Security Center's phishing protection appears to be conflicting with Internet Explorer 7 browser's functionality. This can be fixed by doing the following:
1. Double-click on the McAfee Security Center icon (red M logo) in the Windows taskbar (usually at the bottom-right of your screen)
2. Click Advanced Menu at the bottom left of the screen
3. In the resulting menu choose Configure, then Internet & Network
4. Under Phishing protection is disabled, select Off.
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I set my PlantSmart Plant Sensor in Recommend mode right next to a plant that is doing very well. When I upload the reading, that plant does not appear in my Recommended Plants list. How is this possible?

The PlantSmart Plant Sensor considers multiple factors in recommending plants for your outdoor microclimates.

One of these factors is the general climate in your area, which we determine based on your zip code. The United States Department of Agriculture and the American Horticultural Society have mapped out cold hardiness zones and heat zones based on climatic patterns plotted for all the regions in North America. These zones determine which plants tend to thrive in a given location. Using data from horticultural organizations such as Ball Horticulture, we then fine-tune the recommendation data based on your sensor’s environmental reading to gage your own garden’s microclimate more accurately.

PlantSmart’s recommendation algorithms were calibrated to recommend plants that are known to thrive, not merely survive, in your specific microclimate. If your sensor’s environmental readings fall just outside of the appropriate zone for a particular plant, it may very well survive. However, since we cannot confidently expect the plant will thrive in the long term, we cannot in good faith recommend it.

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When I insert my sensor, I get an error saying there was an issue with the server. How do I fix this?

If you encounter this error, please quit and restart the companion software. This should resolve the issue.
1. Right-click on the companion software icon by your computer's clock.
2. Choose Quit.
3. Point to your Applications/Programs menu and restart the companion software.
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The plant library says my ivy geranium likes Full sun. When I monitored it with my sensor, though, the Plant Doctor said it was getting too much sun. How is this possible?

PlantSmart's botanical algorithms are based on Burpee and Ball Horticulture plant databases. The algorithms we use in recommending plants are quite precise, but the standard light labels (i.e. Full sun, Partial sun, etc.) specified in the plant databases are not as specific as our data.

The Plant Doctor may occasionally seem to contradict the entries in our plant library. This is because the term Full sun is defined by a relatively wide spectrum. The high/low limits of Full sun are quite far from each other. This means that a plant like the ivy geranium, which thrives in the lower end of the Full sun spectrum (as per our plant database), will not thrive if exposed to the higher end of the Full sun spectrum. You can see how close you were to the recommended sunlight level by checking out your reading's Plant Doctor feedback.

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Overview

How long will my PlantSmart Plant Sensor's battery last?

A fresh AAA battery should last you about 6 months with regular use.

Note: When your battery is approaching the end of its life, you will be alerted to this fact on the PlantSmart Dashboard page after plugging your sensor in.

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How many readings do I need to take in my garden or house?

You need to take a reading for every spot you want to plant a plant. For instance, if you wanted to plant 3 new plants in different locations in your backyard, you will want to take 3 different readings:
1. One for the plant that may be up near your house which gets some shade during the morning because of the shade the house provides.
2. One reading for the plant on the patio which gets sun all day and gets no shade.
3. One for the plant in the border near the lawn which gets afternoon shade from the large oak tree in your yard.
Remember every spot in your yard probably receives a different amount of light and has slightly different soil. If you have ever wondered why the same plant in two different locations faired differently - that's why. Using the sensor in multiple locations gives you a plant's view of every location.

PlantSmart takes into consideration things like changing sun due to shade you might get from a building or tree, how much more heat a plant might get from being near a concrete wall, and other external factors that make more specific microclimates in and around your home.

However, if you have a new area that you are planting, and it gets the same shade/light throughout the day, you can take one reading and then choose multiple plants. The only thing you need to consider is that sometimes we think we know the environmental conditions in our yard, for instance "My yard is south facing and it gets sunlight all day." If in doubt, take a few readings just to make sure.

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Do I need to install software or drivers?

You need to download and install the PlantSmart Companion Software, which allows the sensor to talk to the PlantSmart website. Once the sensor is inserted in a USB port to upload a reading, the Companion Software reads the data from the sensor and then uploads it to the website. The rest of the "software" is on the web.

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Will the PlantSmart Plant Sensor work outside the United States?

PlantSmart will NOT work outside the United States. The PlantSmart system uses much more than the raw sensor data to give the best possible horticultural advice. Local growing zones, climate, hourly weather and instantaneous solar position are all taken into account. Currently, this information is all tied to US zip codes only. The sensor will currently NOT work in APO/FPO (military) zip codes, but will work in the US territories of Puerto Rico and Guam.

If you reside outside the United States and have purchased a sensor, please return your sensor to the vendor for a refund. Sorry for any inconvenience!

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Can I see the exact numbers represented in the Plant Doctor graphs and Plants View graphs?

The graphs under "Plant's View" show the raw data that the Plant Sensor has gathered: daylight intensity, air temperature and soil moisture. This data is sampled in 15 minute intervals, which, based on our plant laboratory tests, is sufficient to make a recommendation or plant diagnosis.

In the "Plants View," our graphing package re-sizes all data so it will fit into one browser window. Behind the scenes however, we combine the raw data with the latitude of the sample (to correct for the angle of the sun), the weather in the zip code (to correct for an unusually cloudy day), and the cold zone AND heat zone to generate plant recommendations. We don't publish the raw numbers because they are not meaningful without the algorithms behind them, (which are very meaningful, and very proprietary).

All that said, our studies indicate that the recommendations and guidance we provide should be absolutely accurate. After a "recommend reading" for at least 24 hours, you should see an accurate (and refine-able) list of plants that will grow in that particular area. After a complete "monitor reading" which should be as long as it takes for the soil to progress from fully wet to 'ready for water,' (can be up to 2 weeks), you should see an an accurate diagnosis of the plant's conditions and any necessary changes you should make. Of course, if you perceive differently, please communicate to us immediately.

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Getting Started

How do I get started using the PlantSmart Plant Sensor?

Follow the instructions on the Quick Start card (included in your PlantSmart Plant Sensor's package). For more information, check out our FAQs, located on our Support page.

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When I insert the device into the USB port, I see the message "error connecting to website."

If this message pops up in the bottom right corner of your screen, first check to make sure that your firewall is not blocking the PlantSmart.exe program. If you are not running a firewall, or have verified that the PlantSmart.exe is allowed to pass through your firewall, please contact us at support@plantsense.com

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How do I know if my battery is installed correctly?

Make sure you insert a fresh AAA battery with the negative (-) side pointing up. Close the battery door snugly. When the door closes, you will hear two quick tones, letting you know that your battery has been properly installed.

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It says in the user's guide that I should monitor my plant for at least one watering cycle. What does this mean?

A watering cycle lasts from the initial watering at the beginning of a reading, to the first time your sensor lets you know the plant wants water (flashes and siren goes off).

Remember: When you stick your sensor into the soil next to the plant to be monitored and push Start, it is best that you water the plant soon after. When you hear the sensor chirping (NOTE it only chirps between 8am and 8pm to avoid disrupting your sleep) and blinking yellow, this means the plant needs more water. At this point it is safe to stop the reading and water the plant. You can also water the plant and continue the reading, for extra accuracy).

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It has been very wet outside lately, so it takes forever for my sensor's light to turn orange in Monitor mode!

Under ideal conditions, a full watering cycle allows your sensor to gather the best information about a soil reading in Monitor mode. However, if environmental conditions are preventing the watering cycle from completing (i.e. persistent rain), it is perfectly okay to plug your sensor in while it's still blinking green. That said, please note that soil moisture feedback will not be correct in these instances.

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How do I use my sensor in Recommend mode if I have no garden bed to anchor my sensor?

We recommend you assemble the two parts of the sensor and place it in a pot with some potting soil.

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How do I get the PlantSmart Plant Sensor into the soil without breaking the sensor?

If your soil is dry, we recommend that you use a tool (e.g. screwdriver) to loosen the soil a little so the sensor can easily be placed in the ground. Once it's in, make sure to firmly pack the soil back around the sensor to maintain solid contact.

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Can I save multiple readings in one spot?

You can take multiple readings, but they are saved as separate readings. You can save them with names such as "Left Backyard Corner Spring" or "Left Backyard Corner Summer", etc. However, the PlantSmart algorithms do take into consideration the various weather changes throughout the year based on your heat zone and cold zone information to make sure the plants will do well in your specific locations.

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Using Your Sensor

How do I upgrade my sensor firmware and companion software?

Every time you plug your PlantSmart Plant Sensor into your computer's USB port, our software checks to ensure both your sensor's firmware and companion software are the latest versions available. If the latest version is not found, we will automatically prompt you to install the latest version.

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Can I have my sensor take readings next to my sprinkler?

We don't recommend setting your PlantSmart Plant Sensor within range of sprinkler jets.

The sensor is not waterproof, but water-resistant. It can withstand rain and most irrigation systems, but many sprinkler jets emit horizontal streams of pressurized water that can potentially penetrate the air intake's protective membrane and damage the sensor's circuitry.

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Does my sensor self-charge off of the USB port?

No it does not. It is powered through the AAA battery. When the AAA battery is depleted of power, you need to replace the battery. We recommend that you dispose of the depleted battery in an appropriate manner for your area. Many local hardware stores accept batteries for recycling. Check with a hardware store near you.

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If I set my sensor to Recommend mode for less than the recommended 24 hours, how will this affect my reading?

You will still get plant recommendations based on the data that was collected. However, because the sensor did not record a full day's data, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of your plant recommendations.

We urge you to leave your sensor to collect data for at least 24 hours.

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I noticed my impatiens appears in the plant library as both an annual and a perennial. How is this possible?

Some plants, such as impatiens, are technically perennials in the botanical world. This means they would continue to grow for several years in their native habitat.

Since impatiens don't typically flower as much after a number of months and will not survive cold winters, most gardeners grow their impatiens as annuals, replanting the flower beds every year.

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The instructions tell me I should leave my sensor in Monitor mode for at least one watering cycle. What is a watering cycle?

A watering cycle begins when you first water your plant and ends when it needs to be watered again. You can take all the guesswork out of this by following the steps below:
1. Insert your sensor into the soil next to the plant to be monitored and push the Start button.
2. Water the plant you are monitoring, making sure to water deeply.
3. When you hear the sensor chirping and blinking orange, your plant needs to be watered again.
  Note: Your sensor will only chirp between the hours of 8am and 8pm, so as to avoid disrupting your sleep.
4. At this point you can either stop the reading, or, for even better results, you can continue your Monitor reading for an additional watering cycle.
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My PlantSmart username is also my email address.. What do I do if my email address changes?

To change your registered email address, you need to change the email listed in your PlantSmart Profile and your Companion Software preferences, following the instructions below:
1. Log in to the PlantSmart website with your current credentials.
2. Under My PlantSmart, click My Profile.
3. Update the address listed in the Email field to your new email address.
4. Click Save.
5. Now right-click (left-click on a Mac) on the PlantSmart Companion Software icon (located by your computer's clock.
6. Choose Preferences.
7. In the "User name" field, change the address listed to your new email address.
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I think the petal looks really cool on my sensor, but does it serve any purpose?

The petal attachment is just for decoration and will have absolutely no effect on your sensor's performance. You can safely swap the petal on or off, according to your preferences.

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My sensor makes all sorts of beeps and flashes. What do they mean?

Click here for an explanation of all the sounds and flashes your PlantSmart sensor makes.

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How do I make the sensor log me in and upload my data automatically when I plug the sensor in?

There is a check box in the Preferences dialog box where you can set this feature. By default we have it selected to automatically do this for you. However, during installation, you may have unchecked it, so it no longer happens automatically. Click the PlantSmart icon in the Windows task bar system tray, choose "Preferences", and click the check box labeled "automatically upload when sensor is inserted".

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Why doesn't my sensor's siren go off at night in Monitor mode?

The sensor is programmed not to make any noise from 8pm to 8am, so as not to disturb you.

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How do I know when my sensor's battery is running low? I want to be sure my battery won't die in the middle of a reading..

With your sensor plugged in, the PlantSmart Dashboard will alert you when your battery is running low.

If you prefer to check manually for your own reference, your companion software can tell you how much power is left in your battery:
1. Right-click (left-click on a Mac) on your PlantSmart Companion icon, located by your computer's clock.
2. Select Preferences.
3. In the bottom section of the Preferences dialog you should see Battery, followed by x.xx volts:
  1. If the number (x.xx) reads between 1.50 and 1.75, your battery is fresh.
  2. If it reads 1.2 volts, your battery is nearing the end of its life.
  3. At 1.1 volts or lower, it is time to replace the battery, as we can no longer guarantee the sensor will function properly.
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What do I do if my zip code changes?

Changing the zip code in your My PlantSmart profile will not affect any of your previous plant recommendations. All future readings, however, will use the new zip code.

For example, suppose you took a Recommend reading in your backyard in Brooklyn, New York. You travel to Miami, Florida, to visit friends and change your zip code in your profile in order to take a reading in your friends' backyard. Your saved New York Recommend readings will not be affected, and the plant recommendations made in Flordia will use Florida-specific data.

Remember, your zip code represents your geographic location. We use this information to determine the sun's angle in your location and to account for the changing seasons when analyzing your reading data. For outdoor readings the zip code is also used to determine your NHS Heat Zone and USDA Hardiness Zone.

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How do I figure out what version of the companion software I have installed?
1. Right-click (click on a Mac) on the companion software icon, located by your computer's clock.
2. Click About.
3. The second line in the resulting dialog box is your version number.
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Is there an easy way for me to check my firmware version?

Sure! Just follow the steps below:
1. Right-click (click on a Mac) on the companion software icon, located by your computer's clock.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. Towards the bottom of the dialog box, you should see the words "Firmware Rev."
4. If your sensor is plugged in, your firmware version will appear to the right.
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How do I cancel the Fertilizer Recommendation Subscription

Simply login to your PlantSmart Account. Go to "My Profile," which is the third tab under "My PlantSmart." Click to the "Subscription" tab and where it says: "To cancel your subscription, click here," do so. You will continue to receive fertilizer guidance with every reading until the period in which you have already paid for the service is complete. So if you subscribed on 1/1/10 to an annual subscription, and canceled on 6/15/10, you will continue to receive guidance with every reading until 12/31/10. At the end of that period, you will not be billed again, and the guidance will cease going forward.

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Support

Known Issues

Overview

Getting Started

Using Your Sensor

Known Issues

I'm trying to print my results, but all I get is a blank page! What am I doing wrong?

I can’t change the mode. I keep getting this message "You have not plugged in your PlantSmart Plant Sensor."

When I insert the device into the USB port, I see the message "error connecting to website."

I accidentally stopped my sensor before 24 hours passed on my Recommend/Monitor reading. When I realized this after an hour or so, I then turned it back on for the remaining hours. Will this affect my reading?

I can't set my sensor to Recommend mode in Internet Explorer 7 with McAfee Security Center running. Also, my dashboard looks strange when I attempt Monitor mode. How can I fix this?

I set my PlantSmart Plant Sensor in Recommend mode right next to a plant that is doing very well. When I upload the reading, that plant does not appear in my Recommended Plants list. How is this possible?

When I insert my sensor, I get an error saying there was an issue with the server. How do I fix this?

The plant library says my ivy geranium likes Full sun. When I monitored it with my sensor, though, the Plant Doctor said it was getting too much sun. How is this possible?

Overview

How long will my PlantSmart Plant Sensor's battery last?

How many readings do I need to take in my garden or house?

Do I need to install software or drivers?

Will the PlantSmart Plant Sensor work outside the United States?

Can I see the exact numbers represented in the Plant Doctor graphs and Plants View graphs?

Getting Started

How do I get started using the PlantSmart Plant Sensor?

When I insert the device into the USB port, I see the message "error connecting to website."

How do I know if my battery is installed correctly?

It says in the user's guide that I should monitor my plant for at least one watering cycle. What does this mean?

It has been very wet outside lately, so it takes forever for my sensor's light to turn orange in Monitor mode!

How do I use my sensor in Recommend mode if I have no garden bed to anchor my sensor?

How do I get the PlantSmart Plant Sensor into the soil without breaking the sensor?

Can I save multiple readings in one spot?

Using Your Sensor

How do I upgrade my sensor firmware and companion software?

Can I have my sensor take readings next to my sprinkler?

Does my sensor self-charge off of the USB port?

If I set my sensor to Recommend mode for less than the recommended 24 hours, how will this affect my reading?

I noticed my impatiens appears in the plant library as both an annual and a perennial. How is this possible?

The instructions tell me I should leave my sensor in Monitor mode for at least one watering cycle. What is a watering cycle?

My PlantSmart username is also my email address.. What do I do if my email address changes?

I think the petal looks really cool on my sensor, but does it serve any purpose?

My sensor makes all sorts of beeps and flashes. What do they mean?

How do I make the sensor log me in and upload my data automatically when I plug the sensor in?

Why doesn't my sensor's siren go off at night in Monitor mode?

How do I know when my sensor's battery is running low? I want to be sure my battery won't die in the middle of a reading..

What do I do if my zip code changes?

How do I figure out what version of the companion software I have installed?

Is there an easy way for me to check my firmware version?

How do I cancel the Fertilizer Recommendation Subscription