Best Plant ID Apps: Top 5 Reviewed

Ever seen a plant and wondered what it was? Finding out can be hard. You might think of searching the web but that takes time and often gives you wrong answers. This is where a Plant ID app comes in handy, so it’s the best plant identification app for quick answers.
They make it easy and fast.
There are over 1 million species of plants in the world! No wonder it’s hard to know them all. Our article is about the top 5 Plant ID apps for you plant lovers. These apps are the best plant identification apps out there, with features like plant disease diagnosis, personalized care plans and user friendly interfaces.
These apps give you more than just names—they tell you how to care for plants, if they are pet friendly and how much light they need.
We’ll help you find the best Plant ID app for you. Get ready to turn your phone into a personal garden expert!
Summary of the Top 5 Plant ID Apps
- Best Overall: Plant IQ
- Best Plant Care App: Picture This - Plant Identifier
- For Wildlife Enthusiasts: iNaturalist
- For Botanical Discoveries: PlantNet
- For Easy Plant Identification with AI: Plant Identification + +
Find the Best Plant ID App: Top 5 Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Plant IQ

Care for and identify your plants with ease.
Highlights
- Size: 43.6 MB
- Category: Education app
- Compatible with iPhone, Mac (with Apple M1 chip or later), and Apple Vision
- Language: English
- Age Rating: 4+
Are you a plant enthusiast or just a plant curious? Plant IQ is your go to app for all things green! With advanced AI technology it identifies plants from your photos and gives you personalized care guides for each species. Worried about those nasty plant diseases? Plant IQ has got you covered with automatic diagnosis and step by step treatment instructions.
You can talk to the 24/7 available AI BOTanist and get quick answers and advice. Explore a world of fun facts, tips, trivia and learning experiences about different plants. No wonder why Plant IQ is at the top of the list - it’s a must have for both seasoned plant enthusiasts and plant newbies!
Pros
- Identifies plants with high accuracy instantly with advanced AI technology
- Gives comprehensive species specific care guides
- Diagnoses plant diseases and tells you how to treat them
- You can chat with an AI Chatbot specialized in botany
Cons
- Some rare or unusual plants may not have care guides
A plant enthusiast who loves to learn and take care of different plants? Try Plant IQ. It’s the app for you who wants to care for and identify your plants with ease.
2. Best Plant Care App: Picture This - Plant Identifier

Instant plant identification and expert advice
Highlights
- Identify plants using your phone’s camera
- Huge database with plant information
- Easy to use for all ages, 4+
- Available in multiple languages for global users
- Compatible with all Apple devices
- Family sharing of some in-app purchases
If you’re a plant lover or a green thumb curious, Picture This - Plant Identifier is your all in one plant tool. With its plant identification feature, it claims it can identify over 400,000 species at 98% accuracy just by taking a photo. Whether you find a new plant on your walk or need to diagnose and treat a sick one in your garden, this app has got you covered. The app allows you to take a photo of a sick plant and it will analyze it and give you a diagnosis and treatment plan. The features like toxic plant warning, water tracker & reminder, expert consultation makes it a must have for any gardening adventure.
Picture This - Plant Identifier made it in our list of top Plant ID apps because of its many features for both newbies and seasoned gardeners. Instant plant identification and detailed care guides with personalized expert advice is a big plus for any user.
Pros
- Identifies over 400,000 plant species
- Diagnose sick plants and get treatment advice
- Get care guides.
- Identify toxic plants and get safety tips for pets and children
Cons
- No offline expert consultation
A plant enthusiast who needs expert help in identifying, caring and protecting your plants? Picture This - Plant Identifier is for you.
3. For Wildlife Enthusiasts: iNaturalist

For Nature Lovers: Identify wildlife and explore the plant world
Highlights
- App Size: 171.9 MB
- iOS devices
- Multiple languages
- Suitable for all ages
A plant lover or just curious about plants? iNaturalist is the tool to explore the world around you. This easy to use app has image recognition technology that can identify plants and animals with just a snap. Imagine finding a beautiful flower or a weird mushroom on your outdoor adventure – just open the Seek Camera on iNaturalist and you’ll find out what it is and learn more about it.
Plus as a plant enthusiast you’ll love how iNaturalist encourages learning through observation and exploration, you can earn badges for spotting different species and participate in fun challenges. And it respects user privacy, no registration required and no data collection by default. It’s family friendly, a great way for families to bond over their love for nature while going on an adventure together.
As we compile our list of top Plant ID Apps Reviews, iNaturalist makes it to our top 3 because of its clean interface, many features including image recognition technology and Seek Camera, and user privacy.
Pros
- Identify plants and animals by photos.
- Seek Camera: Point at living things to recognize them.
- Easy Species Identification for animals and plants
- Learn about organisms around you.
Cons
- Limited non-North American flora and fauna support
A nature lover, wildlife enthusiast and want to learn about organisms around you? iNaturalist is for you.
4. For Botanical Discoveries: PlantNet

A smarter way to connect with nature
Highlights
- PlantNet is an educational app with a big database
- Supports multiple languages: English, Spanish, French and more
- iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac (with Apple M1 chip)
- All ages, 4+
- And the best part? It’s free!
You love plants and often wonder about the species around you? PlantNet is the app for you. With a snap from your smartphone, it will identify plants for you – whether in the wild or in your garden. It can even identify wild plants, so it’s a great tool for all plant enthusiasts. And the best part? You become a citizen scientist and contribute to global plant biodiversity research with every photo.
It includes more than 20,000 plant species and user-contributed information. Easy to use, free and multiple languages. PlantNet doesn’t just ID plants, it connects you with other nature lovers and provides info about those beautiful greens around you.
With PlantNet, exploring the world of plants is an interactive journey that will satisfy your curiosity and contribute to a bigger cause - perfect for nature lovers!
Pros
- Identify plants by taking a photo with your smartphone
- 20,000+ plant species
- Trees, wild salads, cacti and more
- Free access to plant species info in multiple languages
Cons
- Some users may find the interface a bit complex at first, given its wide range of features
You’re the ideal customer for PlantNet, a nature lover who loves to explore and learn about plants. If you want to identify plant species, contribute to citizen science projects and access botanical info at your fingertips, then this app is for you.
5. For Easy Plant Identification with AI: Plant Identification + +

Best for garden fans easy plant identification
Highlights
- Big database of plant species
- Simple interface
- iOS devices
- All ages
Are you a plant enthusiast or just love nature? Plant Identification + + is your botanical buddy for all your adventures. With its advanced AI, this app will identify thousands of plants, flowers, trees and leaves in a snap. It’s like having a personal botanist in your pocket! Whether you’re in your garden or on a hike, it will give you instant info about any plant you see.
Plant Identification + + not only identifies plants for you but also provides info about each species and care tips - so it’s a must have for gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists. The simple interface allows anyone to use the app and discover info about the plants around you. With history tracking and easy photo sharing, Plant Identification + + makes every plant lover’s journey to understand and enjoy the world around us.
Pros
- Identify tens of thousands of plants, flowers, trees, leaves
- AI powered
- Gardening and plant care advice
- Super simple, easy to use for everyone
Cons
- Rare or unique plant species not always accurate
You’re a gardening enthusiast or horticulturist? Try it now and see the plants around you!
What to look for in a Plant ID app
Now that we’ve seen the top 5, let’s look at what makes them special. A good plant identification app should know its leaves from its flowers. It should have a robust plant identifier that can tell the difference between vegetable garden plants and common weeds.
Take a photo of a mysterious plant and get its name in seconds - this is a must. The use of images in these apps makes them more accurate in recognizing plant species.
Accuracy is everything. The app should match your photo with the right plant species using data from botanists and citizen scientists around the world. It’s also helpful if the app can tell you if a plant is toxic or safe for pets when you’re out and about with your furry friends. AI technology plays a crucial role in improving this accuracy.
Features like water tracker, light exposure monitor and expert advice can turn your phone into a personal garden in your finger, telling you how to care for each plant based on its needs.
Look for apps that offer more than names - they should support your entire gardening journey whether indoor or in an Indonesian vegetable garden.
How to Use a Plant ID App to Identify Plants
Using a plant ID app is an easy and fun way to connect with nature and identify plants. Here’s a step by step guide on how to use a plant ID app to identify plants:
- Download and Install a Plant ID App: Choose a good plant identification app like PictureThis or PlantSnap. Both are available for Android and iOS. Go to your app store, search for the app and download.
- Take a Good Photo: Once installed, take a clear and well lit photo of the plant you want to identify. Make sure the photo is in focus and captures the plant’s characteristics such as leaves, flowers or bark. This will help the app to give a more accurate identification.
- Upload the Photo: Open the app and upload the photo you just took. Most plant ID apps have a simple interface so this step is quick and easy. Just follow the prompts.
- Get Results: After uploading, the app will process the image and give you a list of possible identifications. Along with the plant’s name, you’ll often get background information about the plant, its habitat and any health issues.
- Verify the ID: Always verify the app’s ID. Check the suggested ID against other sources such as field guides or online resources to ensure accuracy.
- Explore More: Dive into the additional information provided by the app. Many plant ID apps offer care tips, watering advice and information on pests or diseases. This is useful for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- Share Your Discovery: Many plant ID apps have a community feature where you can share your findings with other users. This is a good way to connect with other plant lovers, share knowledge and learn more about plant identification.
By following these steps you can use a plant ID app to identify plants and connect with nature. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner botanist, a plant ID app is a useful tool for your plant identification adventure.
How to Choose the Best Plant ID App for You
Choosing the best plant ID app depends on what you need. Do you want more than just a plant’s name? Some apps offer care tips, weed identification and even if a plant is pet friendly.
Look for features like a water tracker or light meter if you have indoor plants. A good app should respect your data privacy.
How much are you willing to spend? Many apps have a free trial but will require payment later for full access. What plants are you interested in? If you love vegetables, get an app with a strong vegetable garden plants database.
For nature enthusiasts, get one with a large database of plant species from around the world. Make sure it’s available on your device, iOS or macOS.
FAQs
1. What is a plant ID app?
A plant ID app, also known as a “plant identifier”, is a tool that helps you identify different types of plants. It can also help with weed identification and tell you what light your vegetable garden plants need.
2. How can these apps help me?
These apps are like having an expert at your beck and call! They have features like water trackers, light meters and even plant wishlists to cover all your gardening needs. Some even have a ‘plant doctor’ for plant disease diagnosis.
3. Are there any safety features in these apps?
Yes! Many of these apps have toxic plant warnings to keep you and your pets safe from harmful plants. They’re especially useful if you’re venturing into the Norwegian wilderness or other unknown areas where toxic plants are common.
4. Are there free trials for these apps?
Yes, many Plant ID Apps have free trials so you can try before you buy - great for testing if they suit your gardening needs!
5. Do I need to worry about data privacy with these Plant ID Apps?
Every app has its own policy but most respect user data highly - just always read the terms and conditions before using them.
Conclusion
Finding the best plant ID app feels good, doesn’t it? You want a tool that’s simple and smart. Standouts like Plant IQ and Picture This deliver for many reasons.
They teach you about plants in a simple way. Want to take a photo and learn about a flower? Picture This can do that. Need an app that’s available on your iPhone, Mac or Apple Vision? You can rely on Plant IQ.
These apps are great for plant lovers or those who just want to learn more about them. With these tools at your fingertips, identifying flowers, trees and other species is easy and fun.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. CBD and THC products are not currently evaluated or approved by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a healthcare professional before using these products, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking medications. Check your local laws regarding CBD and THC usage, as regulations vary by jurisdiction
About the Author
Clara Bennett is a writer and outdoor enthusiast with a passion for plants and sustainable living. She enjoys exploring ways to bring nature closer to everyday life, sharing practical tips, and reviewing tools that help others connect with the natural world.