Water it? Not water it? Or maybe it's high time to repot it altogether? But what exactly? That it's a flower is clear, but which one? Not so much. A plant identification app will not only tell you what kind it is in a few seconds, but also display its three-line Latin name and a handful of fun facts. Here's Mobile Vikings' review of the best plant identification apps.
Some of us collected tree leaves in childhood, dried them, and glued them into a herbarium album. In biology classes (the author of these words didn't catch the 'nature' subject), we learned about plants from our immediate surroundings. In family homes, wall units were filled with atlases of potted and exotic flowers (alongside atlases of animals, scientific discoveries, and PWN encyclopedias).
Today, such wall units no longer exist.
Today we have smartphones, and with their help, we can identify what kind of plant it is in literally a few seconds. Snap a photo of a leaf or a flower – and presto, the aforementioned Latin name appears, along with a set of fun facts and care tips. A mobile herbarium can even determine the plant's condition and suggest a cure. Check out which plant identification apps and plant disease identification apps are the best according to Mobile Vikings.
Plant Identification App – Before You Start
Even the best app won't answer the question 'what kind of plant is this' if you don't follow a few simple rules. You wouldn't want to mistake a fern for a pineapple, would you?
- Photograph clearly. The better the shot of a leaf, flower, or stem, the more accurate the identification.
- Take close-ups of characteristic parts. If the plant is blooming – snap a close-up of the flower. Does it have unique leaves? Focus on one, clear one.
- Approach results with skepticism. The app says your Dracaena is a rare carnivorous plant? Check a second source…
- Don't eat unknown plants in the forest, even if the app promises you more vigor after the first bite!
Plant Identification App – Discover Your Inner Amateur Botanist
Here's Mobile Vikings' choice:
PlantNet – Free Plant Identification App
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: completely free (scientific project, open-source)
What's behind the paywall? Nothing – all features are available for free
Pros:
- Instant operation based on a photo.
- Huge database of wild plants from around the world (created by scientists and users).
- No ads or microtransactions – the app is lightweight and free of charge.
- Ability to join the community – you can add your own findings to the database.
- Using it is very addictive – a solid mobile-internet-plan will come in handy then
Cons:
- Common houseplants sometimes give the app trouble – but wild ones? No problem!
- The interface is outdated.
According to Mobile Viking Tomasz:
Number one for trips to the forest or park. It works surprisingly efficiently – you take a photo of a leaf, and the app instantly pops up with a name, often one I would never be able to pronounce. I like that it's a scientific project and we all contribute to it. You can feel that it's about passion for plants, not about making money. I mainly use it outdoors and it has never failed me, although it didn't recognize a Ficus benjamina – it's clear it's more of a tool for wild nature.
PictureThis – Potted Flower Atlas
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: free version and premium version with a trial period
What's behind the paywall? Unlimited identifications, no ads, guides, disease diagnosis
Pros:
- 98% accuracy (according to claims).
- Recognizes even weeds and fungi.
- Provides a lot of information (e.g., whether the plant is/isn't toxic to pets).
- Even has a sunlight meter.
Cons:
- The free version is very limited.
- Lots of ads in the free version (also encouraging subscription).
- Quite expensive.
- No Polish language version (only English or Latin plant names).
According to Mobile Viking Jacek:
The app identifies plants even from poorer quality photos. The care tips are great – precise and effective.
iNaturalist – Another Free Plant Identification App
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: Completely free (non-profit project)
What's behind the paywall? Nothing 🙂
Pros:
- Also recognizes animals, fungi, and other natural creations.
- High accuracy due to the combination of AI and experts – if AI makes a mistake, botanists and biologists will correct the identification.
- Seek by iNaturalist allows offline operation.
Cons:
- Looks like… a non-profit project.
- Lack of care tips.
- Sometimes provides a very general result (e.g., only genus, not species).
According to ViQueen Ewa:
Initially, the community nature of the app suited me very well, but after prolonged use, it started to bother me – I'd prefer a simpler tool. Plus? It's free. A nice option is offline functionality, because I don't always have home-internet-without-commitment.
Blossom – App also for Plant Disease Identification
Availability: Android, iOS
Model: Paid
What's behind the paywall? Full access to plant database and guides, unlimited identifications, watering and fertilizing schedules, tips from botanists
Pros:
- All-in-one – from identification to detailed guides.
- Great interface.
- Focus on indoor species.
- Large dose of knowledge.
Cons:
- Free version? Forget about it after the trial period.
- Less useful for 'one-off shots'.
- Only recognizes plants (a bit of a forced con).
According to Mobile Viking Piotr:
Until I installed Blossom, my wife and I had to replace flowers regularly – there wasn't a plant we couldn't kill, and quickly at that. Now I feel like I have a flower coach in my pocket who teaches me how to handle them. The result is that I – the guy – am better at managing plants at home than my wife. It simply became very satisfying for me at some point. A downside? You have to pay – but since the app can develop thanks to it, I don't have the slightest problem with that.
Plant Identification App – Which is Best? All of them XD
They operate on very similar principles, and essentially, each of them is an atlas of potted flowers and more. If you wonder every day, walking past a park, what plant is on your path, you can finally satisfy your curiosity. Plant identification apps are often free as non-profit projects, and often recognize not only plants (and plant diseases), but also fungi and animals, for example.
So, smartphone in hand, and off you go on your green mission. Plant identification apps will satisfy your curiosity, but also teach you how to care for plants. Ultimately, you might care for your Aglaonema like Leon, and after him, Mathilda… (shoutout to those who get it).
