Introduction: Avatar PlaNT (Touch Sensitive)
It is an avatar plant with LEDs all around. Once the plant is touched, LED turns on. You only need to use several LEDs and resistors with arduino. Of course, if you want to light up an avatar forest, you can also connect all plants together.
Step 1: Preparation
Skills:
+ basic soldering
+ zero programming skills
Time:30 minutes
Materials:
+ a plant
+ an Arduino
+ 4-10 LEDs
+ resistors ( one 10k Ω and 4-10 220Ω if it is a red LED)
+ dozens of jumper wires
* We highly recommend you to use smaller LEDs such as 3 mm LED and thinner jumper wire so they can be nicely hiden in the plant.
Tools:
+ Soldering iron and solder
Step 2: Soldering
Here we used 4 LEDs for a small plant.
+ blend both legs of all LEDs horizentally
+ solder both legs with jumper wires and a 220 Ω resistor on either side.
( Don‘t forget to take a look at the long (+) and short (-) legs of LEDs. Legs with the same polarity should be placed in the same side)
Step 3: Build the Circuit on Arduino
Above is the circuit you will be creating.
+ connect LEDs to PWM pin like D3 and to the ground
+ connect a 10k resistor to D8 and D7
+ connect a wire to D8 and to the plant in its stem
Step 4: Complete Programming on Mind+
Mind+ is a free graphical programming software for Arduino, specially for artists and DIY enthusiasts without programming background.
Instead of writing codes on IDE, you can easily make a program with only 3 software modules for this project, Capacity Sensor, IF and LED.
Capacity Sensor-- to detect if a hand touch the plant
IF -- to evaluate the condition
LED -- If a hand touch the plant, then LED lights up.
You can download our free software Mind+ (available on windows, Mac and Linux) and follow the instruction in the picture above.
Step 5: Place LEDs on the Plant
The final step is to place LEDs nicely the place. Better to hide it under leaves so people won't easily regconize them.
If your light is not stable, try to connect the electronity on the ground, like charge your laptop.

Participated in the
Microcontroller Contest
1 Person Made This Project!
- rquaresmini made it!
8 Comments
4 years ago
I want to know in detail hoe this things works actually there is nothing mentioned about the power source . i have been thinking of making same kind of project . so i hope u cant help me out with the basic principle and working of this DIY
4 years ago
find out similar articles here
5 years ago
i will be making testing this project out this week. i assume you can touch any part of the plant and the LEDs should turn on. not just the stem the cable is attached.?
7 years ago on Introduction
Neat project. Fav
7 years ago on Introduction
Mimosa pudica, It's a real plant that is touch sensitive! If you lazy and or don't have the parts to make this lol
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
You can find any plant to make this project, preferably plant with more water on the stem so it is more conductive.
7 years ago on Introduction
real funny project!!! like a avatar mushroom at movie
the software is new one?never meet before but looks nice
Reply 7 years ago on Introduction
So nice that you like it. Mindplus is a graphical programming tool for Arduino. We've developed 50+ pre-designed software modules to facilitate DIY enthusiasts without programming background. If you wanna explore more, please check out other tutorial on our website. http://www.mindplus.cc/?page_id=1243