10 Best Plant Identifier Apps in 2024 (Free & Paid)
Jun. 20, 2022Getting to know the plants around us is a refreshing hobby to keep us engaged and connected with nature. But there must have been instances where you spot a unique plant or flower and are left clueless about its name and species. Well, not anymore. In this guide, we have handpicked the 10 best plant identifier apps you can use to recognize the plants near you.
We have included paid apps that provide accurate and faster recognition, as well as apps that offer tips on how to take care of your plants if you’re someone with a passion for gardening. So let’s take a look at the list we have prepared for you.
1. PlantNet
PlantNet is a plant identifier app that can help you recognize different types of plants without much effort. It is capable ofrecognizing over 20,000 plant speciesin the world. You can use the PlantNet app to identify flowering plants, trees, grasses, conifers, ferns, vines, wild salads, and even cacti.
When you scan a plant using this app, it identifies it and shows results that include a common name and a botanical name for the plant. The results come with a metric of confidence in accuracy because the app’scrowdsourced database. Which means that you can contribute to it.ProsConsIdentifies over 20,000 speciesSome results could be incorrectCrowdsourced database with option to contributeResults provide quite basic informationGet background information about plants
Pricing:Free
Availability:Android, iOS
Developed by scientists from the Technical University of Ilmenau and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Jena, Flora Incognita is an app that lets you identify plantsfor free without ads.
The app is available to use for free because it is part of a scientific research project that aims to improve nature conservation. Furthermore, it was awarded as an official project of the UN Decade of Biodiversity. As far as the accuracy goes, I have noticed that it is very accurate andgives promising results. It can provide details like taxonomy Scientific names, Common names and more.ProsConsIdentify plants for free without adsNo plant diagnosis option availableClean and simple interfaceDetailed insights about plants
Pricing:FreeAvailability:Android, iOS
Seek is another app you can use to recognize plants. To use it, all you need to do is launch the app, open the camera viewfinder, and point it at the plant. The app will automatically identify and give you a snippet of information about the plant from Wikipediaincluding thetaxonomy and seasonality.
Itsuggests similar speciesto explore in case the plant you want to grow is not available in your region which I also admire. It gives you in-app badges for completing challenges to encourage you to discover more fauna around you. The app is backed by iNaturalist, a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, making it a must-have for all plant lovers.ProsConsExceptional accuracyNo cloud sync to transfer dataIn-app challenges to promote explorationDoesn’t properly recognizes plantseasy to navigate interface
Pricing:FreeAvailability:Android, iOS
PlantSnap is essentially the Instagram for plants. It boasts a massive catalog, being capable ofidentifying over 600,000 types of plants. It is one of the leading plant identifier apps with a large community of over 50 Million users worldwide sharing their findings and data about plants on the app. The app gives you detailed information about the plant including how big it can grow both outside and inside your home.
Snapchat users can use PlantSnap’s Lens toidentify plants right from the Snapchat camera. This is a neatSnapchat trickyou can use when you are in the middle of snapping or texting friends.
Pricing:Limited free trial; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
Apart from being an excellent app to identify plants, Plantify doubles as areminder appto take care of your plants. As a result, you cancreate tasks to water, add fertilizer, prune, or harvestyour plants. The app can also diagnose any problems with your plant and help you nurture it back to health helping you grow your plants better.
Of course, it can help you look up plants and give you important information about them, including the botanical name, common name, genus, common problems you might face when growing them,how much Sunlight they need, and more. This makes it a perfect companion app if you are new to growing plants.ProsConsExtremely accurate scanningTakes a while to identify plantsVast databasePlant care tips and reminders
Pricing:Free; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
PlantApp is another pretty useful plant and fauna identification app that canidentify over 3000 species of plantswith over 88% accuracy. Like Plantify, this app also gives you tips on how to take good care of your plants with timely reminders.
Yes, it has a smaller database compared to other apps in this list. But what I liked about PlantApp is the fact that it doesn’t skim out the details andincludes information liketoxicity, care requirements, propagation, and FAQs. This can be a good alternative to Plantify if you are into serious gardening.ProsConsShows detailed informationHas a limited databasePlant diagnosis and care remindersPretty aggressive to promote its premium versionQuite fast at identifying plantsCan misidentify plants at times
Pricing:Free; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
Blossom is a plant identifier app that doesn’t compromise on design. The app looks visually pleasing and is packed with features to help you get the most out of it. Blossom positions itself as a complete solution for all your plant-related needs. It creates apersonalized experiencefor you based on how skilled are you at working with plants.
Pricing:Free; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
Pricing:FreeAvailability:Android, iOS
Apart from being an decent app to identify plants, LeafSnap can also be used as areminder appto take care of your plants. It gives you step by step instructions on how you can look after the plant and nurture it properly. As a result, you cancreate tasks to water, add fertilizer, prune, or harvest your plants. The app gives you tips that will help you grow plants better.
Speaking of plant identification, you can press the “Identify” button on the app’s home screen to capture a plant’s picture. Within a few seconds, the app will recognize the plant for you and show thebotanical name, common name, genus, and plant family. Its only major issue that it will show you add after every two action that you take on the app.
Pricing:Free; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
Capable of recognizing over 10,000 plants with up to 95% accuracy, NatureID is our next pick. What makes NatureID unique is its ability torecognize mushrooms. Moreover, it can also identify insects if you find a unique one in your garden. The good things about NatureID don’t end there.
Pricing:Limited free trial; Offers in-app purchasesAvailability:Android, iOS
If you don’t want to install a separate app for identifying apps, you can use your Android phone’s Google Lens or iPhone’s Visual Lookup features instead. All you have to do is point the viewfinder at the plant and tap the shutter button to search. It will then perform an image search and show you reliable results. The results though might not be quite accurate so that in mind.
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As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.
