Maegan-Leigh JacobsEver come across a beautiful flower on your morning walk or an unfamiliar weed in your garden? Plant identifier apps can be your best friend in these moments. Not only do they help you identify plants, but they also provide essential care tips and diagnose plant issues like diseases or pests.
With so many apps available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the top plant identification apps, recommended by gardening experts, according to an article by Martha Stewart Living.
The experts:
- Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app
- Tess Renusch, of the native plant habitats team at the National Wildlife Federation
- Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist
1. Growbot
Growbot is a pioneering AI-powered garden assistant. According to Spoonemore, you can identify plants by describing their features to Growbot and access detailed care information. The app can also diagnose pests and diseases and suggest solutions. Backed by 150 years of expertise from Park Seed, Growbot combines technology and gardening seamlessly.
Platforms: iOS
2. Greg
Greg uses a feature called “PlantVision” to help users identify plants through their phone’s camera. Spoonemore notes that Greg provides the plant’s name, care instructions, and more. Users can also create a care schedule within the app, setting reminders for watering and other tasks.
Platforms: iOS, Android
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3. iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a favourite among nature enthusiasts. This app, a joint effort by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, identifies plants, animals, and fungi using photos and additional data like location and time. Tess Renusch from the National Wildlife Federation praises its accuracy and expert insights.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
4. From Seed to Spoon
Created by Carrie Spoonemore and her team, From Seed to Spoon is a comprehensive garden guide. This app offers personalised planting dates, companion planting advice, informative blogs, video guides, recipes, and more. It also features a calendar and notifications to keep you updated on your garden’s progress and helps identify pests and diseases, offering organic treatments.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
5. Pl@ntNet
Pl@ntNet not only identifies plants but also contributes to citizen science. The app suggests identifications based on photos and your region, indicating whether a plant is invasive. Scientists analyze the collected photos to study plant biodiversity, making it a valuable tool for both users and researchers, says Linda Langelo from Colorado State University.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
6. PictureThis
Developed by botanists and gardeners, PictureThis boasts a 98% accuracy rate in plant identification. Langelo mentions that it can identify 17,000 local species and 400,000 globally. The app also diagnoses plant problems and provides detailed care and toxicity information.
Platforms: iOS, Android
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7. PlantSnap
PlantSnap is user-friendly and features a database of over 650,000 plants, including flowers, cacti, succulents, and mushrooms. Just upload a photo for instant, detailed information. The iOS version includes an auto-detect feature for perfect pictures every time. Users can identify up to five plants a day for free; beyond that, a paid plan is required, explains Renusch.
Platforms: iOS, Android
8. Planta
Planta is perfect for houseplant enthusiasts, offering “smart care reminders” for tasks like fertilizing, watering, and repotting. Langelo highlights its ability to adjust care instructions based on your location, weather, and specific plant needs. The app also includes a light meter to ensure plants are placed in optimal conditions.
Platforms: iOS, Android
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9. Garden Answers
Garden Answers can identify over 20,000 plants and diagnose disease or insect problems. It offers expert advice and keeps a record of your previous questions and answers for future reference, says Langelo.
Platforms: iOS, Android
10. LeafSnap
Developed by experts from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution, LeafSnap can identify more than 32,000 plant taxa worldwide. Langelo notes that it provides detailed care information, including recommendations and step-by-step guides.
Platforms: iOS, Android
ALSO SEE: 8 GARDENING APPS YOU NEED NOW
Feature image: Pexels
