This Guide is for Spruce Sensors that are used without the Spruce Controller
Integrations in this Guide
This guide covers using the Spruce Sensor with SmartThings, Hubitat and Home Assistant. This guide does NOT cover using the sensors with the Spruce Controller.
Channel 26 Limitation
Spruce Sensors will NOT connect if your Zigbee is configured to Channel 26.
Channel 26 is not supported because Zigbee requires this channel use a low transmission power. This greatly reduces the wireless range. If your hub is set to channel 26, you will need to change the channel for Spruce sensors to connect. Most apps have an option to change the channel, check with your hub manufacturer to change the channel.
How do the Spruce Sensors work without the Spruce Controller and App?
The Spruce Sensors use the Wireless Zigbee HA (Home Automation) Protocol and connect to SmartThings, Hubitat and Home Assistant wirelessly via Zigbee HA.
- SmartThings hub has a built in Zigbee radio and will connect to Zigbee 3.0 and HA devices natively.
- Hubitat hub has a built in Zigbee radio and will connect to Zigbee 3.0 and HA devices natively.
- Home Assistant has different configurations and must be configured with Zigbee 3.0 or HA.
What capabilities are available?
The Spruce Sensors report Humidity, Temperature and Battery voltage. Humidity is the Soil Moisture value and calibrated as VMC (Volumetric Soil Content).
Each app has capabilities to display these values which can then be used to facilitate other actions.
- Humidity is Soil Moisture: Measured from the black probe and calibrated to Volumetric Moisture Content. This is a 0 to ~44% value which is the range of moisture capacity in soil.
- Temperature: Measured near the base of the blue plastic to represent ground level temperature in C or F.
- Battery: Reported in voltage and converted to 0-100%
Soil Moisture uses Humidity value
The Soil Moisture value is reported as a Humidity value. This is to streamline compatibility across platforms because Humidity is a pre-defined type used by all Zigbee HA platforms.
The value is VMC calibrated, or Volumetric Moisture Content as displayed in the chart below. For more information, see What-is-my-target-moisture-level.
How do I use Soil Moisture without the Spruce Controller and App?
The Soil Moisture value is reported the same no matter if it is connected to Spruce or any of the other systems. From with-in each app, you may setup an automation to control another device.
Recommended setpoint values are between 10% and 40%.
Soil Moisture is shown as humidity in the apps.
Examples are below:
- Send a notification when the humidity gets below 30%
- Set a valve (such as Rachio, Orbit, etc) to open for 15 minutes each day if the humidity is below 25%
- Turn on an outlet (with a water pump) anytime humidity gets below 20% for 10 minutes or turn off if humidity reaches 30%
How do I know what the Soil Moisture should be?
There is some trial and error since each soil type holds water moisture differently and each area dries out at a different rate. Instructions to find soil moisture values are available at #what-should-i-set-my-moisture-setpoint-to
Samsung SmartThings
The Spruce Sensor is supported out of the box by Samsung SmartThings and only requires a SmartThings hub with Zigbee to use.
Click the SmartThings button below for additional details.
Hubitat Elevation
The Hubitat Spruce Sensor driver is available as directed in the Hubitat link below. Once the driver is imported, the sensor can be connected to the Hubitat hub with Zigbee.
Click the Hubitat button below for additional details.
Home Assistant
Home Assistant requires a Zigbee USB (or bridge) to connect with the Spruce Sensor. ZHA and ZIGBEE2MQTT are currently supported.
Click the Home Assistant button below for additional details.
Links to Spruce Sensor Integration Setup
Find Spruce Sensor specific information about each system below.