Automate your plant care with professional IoT monitoring and smart watering systems
Individual moisture monitoring and automated watering for up to 8 plants
Built with MicroPython - fully customizable and expandable
Raspberry Pi Pico powered with I2C expansion capabilities
From DIY boards to complete automation systems - find the perfect solution for your growing needs
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See exactly what's included in each GrowMax package
| Features | Board Only | Basic | Basic+ | Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GrowMax Board | ||||
| Pico W Pre-installed | — | — | ||
| 3D Printed Case | — | — | ||
| Moisture Sensors & Cables | — | 3 sets | 6 sets | 9 sensors, 8 cables |
| Mini Submersible Pumps | — | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Liquid Sensor | — | |||
| USB Charger & Cable | — |
Professional plant automation made simple with open-source technology and proven hardware
Built with MicroPython and completely open source. Easy installation via PyPI packages and GitHub repository.
Visualize sensor data with in-app dashboards and control devices remotely through our web platform.
8 moisture sensors, 8 pumps, liquid level detection, and I2C expansion ports for unlimited possibilities.
Minimal DIY required. Our kits include everything you need to get started with intelligent plant automation.
GrowMax is built for the growing community with complete transparency. Access our MicroPython codebase, contribute improvements, and customize everything to fit your specific needs.
Connect your GrowMax boards to our OpenSensor.io platform for real-time data visualization, remote device control, and comprehensive monitoring through professional dashboards.
Professional-grade hardware designed for reliability and expandability
✅ More Control, Lower Cost, Open Ecosystem
While Pulse Grow offers a polished closed system, OpenSensor.io gives you unmatched freedom, transparency, and affordability.
| Feature | OpenSensor.io | Pulse Grow |
|---|---|---|
| 💻 Customization | Fully open-source, programmable kits | Closed firmware |
| 📊 In-App Graphs | ✔️ Chart.js dashboards | ✔️ Mobile/web app |
| 💧 Sensor Coverage | Moisture, CO₂, RH, Temp, VPD, pH, Light, Water Pump | VPD, CO₂, PPFD, EC, Moisture |
| 🌐 API Access | ✔️ REST API with FastAPI + MongoDB backend | ❌ Not fully open |
| ⚙️ Home Assistant Integration | Coming soon | ❌ No support |
| 🔌 DIY Flexibility | Solder, mod, and expand with standard components | Proprietary sensors |
| 🛠️ Software Stack | Micropython + Grafana/Chart.js options | Native App only |
| 🧪 Data Ownership | use our cloud or self-host | Pulse-hosted only |
| 💸 Pricing | Boards start under $50 | Monitoring only devices start at $129+ |
OpenSensor.io gives you unmatched freedom, transparency, and affordability.
Everything you need to know about GrowMax boards and plant automation systems
Absolutely! The package price covers USPS first-class shipping with tracking.
The GrowMax board is a custom-developed plant automation board, powered by a Raspberry Pi Pico form factor microcontroller unit (MCU).
Yes, the boards are double-sided and assembled by JLC.
Simply plug a Pico compatible device with headers into the GrowMax board to provide the CPU and software instructions. Install the GrowMax package from PyPI to get started.
The Pico is an affordable, versatile microcontroller board with a wireless variant for IoT devices. Other MCU variants that follow the Pico form factor and pin-outs are generally compatible with GrowMax.
Connect the board to your computer's USB port and run the program from the Thonny IDE to see program outputs. More information is available on the GrowMax GitHub page.
Certainly! You can use one of the two available Qwiic connect I2C channels with I2C displays. GrowMax version 1.1.5 supports SSD1327 and SH1107 chipsets for displays.
The GrowMax board features 8 moisture sensor ports designed for capacitive moisture sensors, which are measured by a single pin reading pulses per second. Note that these differ from ADC and I2C moisture sensors.
We recommend Pimoroni Grow moisture sensors as the best on the market. They are directly compatible with the ports on the GrowMax board.
Yes, the digital chips on moisture sensors can corrode and provide inaccurate readings over time due to dirt and moisture. Avoid directly watering them and consider applying a conformal coating to protect the sensor chips from the environment.
The default drip-limiting holes may not provide sufficient flow for an effective watering cycle. Widening select holes with a small drill bit is recommended.
The default water inlet on the state for the Primerus Pot-Dripper Rings minimizes water inlet flow, so we supply T-adapters and separate stakes to hold up the rings.
Have questions about GrowMax? Need technical support? We'd love to hear from you.
matt@opensensor.io
24-48 hours
Direct from creator
See the GrowMax system in action with documented growth results
Watch real plant growth over 39 days with automated GrowMax care
GrowMax test board in action - growth from October 11th to November 19th
Fully automated watering based on individual plant moisture levels
Explore real environmental monitoring data from OpenSensor community members who choose to share their sensor readings publicly.
Privacy First: Only members who explicitly mark their devices as public share their data.
View live environmental data • Select from available public devices
Built by growers, for growers - with a focus on reliability and ease of use
Fully open source MicroPython software
Proven hardware design with quality components
I2C ports for sensors, displays, and more
Direct support from the creator