Cell culture environment monitoring system (6) for monitoring parameters relevant to cell growth in at least one culture dish (4) containing a cell growth medium (14), including at least one sensing device (22, 22') configured to measure environmental parameters relevant to cell growth, and a tray (24) supporting said at least one culture dish. The sensing device is configured for mounting inside said culture dish at least partially within said cell growth medium, and comprises an RFID transponder (34). The tray (24) comprises an RFID base station (44) configured to interrogate the RFID transponder to obtain measurements of said parameters relevant to cell growth. (fig. 2)