What is it?

A standalone smart wireless sensor to monitor the health of your plant and make recommendations to improve its wellbeing.

Technology hasn't yet found a way to fully open the communication channels between human and plant, so it is a process that has existed largely based on trial and error.

Parrot believes it can remove some of the guess work with the Flower Power Wireless Plant Monitor.

You place the gadget in the soil beside your plant and it can detect and measure the conditions essential to its survival.

Sunlight, temperature, fertiliser and moisture are monitored with any drop in required levels resulting in a wireless alert sent to your smartphone or tablet.

Good points?

Parrot's plant database is comprehensive and it is this that gives the device its biggest lure. You can select your plant from the list and become a near instant expert. It tells you when to water, feed and move it to a sunnier location.

Bad points?

The alerting system requires you to be within Bluetooth range of the Parrot sensor and have the app open on your portable device to view alerts.

If you're like me and regularly forget to water plants then it is unlikely you'll remember to open the app.

A wi-fi-based system would have been more powerful, allowing you to get messages and proper notifications no matter where you are in the home.

Best for ...

Those who need a helping hand in nurturing those potted beauties.

Avoid if ...

You are entirely lacking in green fingers. This isn't going to change that.

Score

7/10.

Parrot Flower Power Wireless Plant Monitor, £41.99 (parrot.com)