Core Requirements: 

Components used:

Force Sensor: Force Sensor will be installed in the apparatus of watering the plant. When the user holds the button to water the plant, the force sensor will generate some output, usually greater than 1000 units. This activates the coded piezo play music and generates the effect that the plant is singing for the user. This acts as a positive reinforcement for the user and conditions it to water the plant. 

Temperature Sensor (TMP 36): This sensor is used to sense the temperature around the plant. All plants have a range of temperatures in which they can survive. To show the emotion of the plant feeling temperature, an RGB LED is used.
If the temperature is too cold, the RBG LED turns Blue
If the temperature is too hot, the RGB LED turns Red

If the temperature is optimum, the RGB LED turns Green. 

Soil Moisture Sensor: Sparkfun Soil Moisture sensor is used to sense the moisture in the soil. If the moisture level of the soil goes below a minimum threshold, then an LED blinks which indicate that plant needs water. This is deliberate to keep the human-plant interaction intact.

Connectivity Requirements: 

The connectivity is provided using the IFTTT platform. The plant sends text messages to the user about its status- if it's feeling hot/cold or thirsty. A thank you message is also sent after the user waters the plant. 

Approach:

The iterative approach of rapid prototyping and testing was used to build this project. Individual components were prototyped and tested before they were assembled into the final circuit. 

I started building and testing the individual sensors and estimating the range of operation for respective sensors. 

After the range was established, I went ahead with combining these different sensors and reached the final solution

Finally, it was connected to IFTTT to get real-time updates. 

Process:

Discovery: Researched different IoT based solutions for plants. 

Conceptualization: Decided the work-flow and desired functionality

Build: Made the circuit in small steps and added functionality

IFTTT: Connected plant to IFTTT and created applet to get real-time information 

Piezo: Added the desired tune to play when an event takes place. 

Testing: Tested the solution and calibrated to work.  

Technical Requirements:

Materials were used to complete the project. 

1. Piezo 
2. fsr sensor

3. TMP 36
4. A SparkFun Soil Moisture sensor

5. RGB Anode LED

6. Blue LED
7. Red LED
8. Resistors (220K.ohm) -  6nos. 

9. Capacitor  10nF - 1nos. 

10. Jumper Wires

11. Particle Argon kit

Next Steps: 

Improve the IFTTT functionality and receive updates only in case of special events. 

Incorporate the watering system upon actuating the fsr sensor.

Make the circuit more robust and suitable for outdoor use

Calibrate the tmp36 sensor and making it more versatile. 

Reflection: 

Implementing IoT using particle is very powerful. It enables to give life to everyday objects like a plant and enables it to communicate and share its requirements and expectations. It opens a whole new world of connecting to things in your life like never before! 
During this project, I have developed a deep understanding of taking inputs using sensors. I would apply this knowledge to build more valuable products consisting of outputs than just LEDs.