Did you know that there are apps that can help you identify all plants? That's right. You know those days when you look at some vegetation and wonder about its origin, what it is and what it's for? Nowadays, it's no longer necessary to spend hours searching on Google or even reading plant biology books to get the answer.

With plant identification apps, you can also solve some problems. For example, imagine that you have a garden and notice that one of your plants is not growing as it should. In this case, you can use the app to help you with tips and point out possible solutions so that you can see your plant growing healthily.

Best apps to identify plants

A good app in this category should have the basic feature of being able to take photos of plants and use its image recognition algorithms to identify specific characteristics of the plant. Only then will it be able to give you the correct answer about which plant you are looking at.

In addition, it is preferable that it has a large database, where you will find detailed information about each species. We have selected five apps with these features to help you identify all the plants.

Pl@ntNet

Image: Google Play

If you love plant biodiversity and want to take your first steps into this universe, Pl@ntNet is the perfect app for you. It helps you identify a plant through a simple image. In addition, the platform offers a detailed analysis of the plant by scientists from all over the world. 

However, the Pl@ntNet team recommends that all photos you upload to the app are taken from close up of the plant. After all, there are many plants that look similar from afar and sometimes it is small details that distinguish two species of the same genus.

Available for iOS and Android systems, App Store and Google Play.

Read also: Best apps to monitor your skin health

Seek 

Image: Google Play

Seek is a great app for identifying all types of plants from images, and as a bonus, it also identifies all the animals around you. It also works as an online encyclopedia, providing detailed information about each organism you photograph. To ensure accurate information, the app relies on millions of wildlife observations from iNaturalist.

One very interesting point is that Seek encourages its users to conduct searches through a gamification process. In this sense, each time you add a different plant species to your search, you earn a badge. This incentive is very important for the app to make regular updates to its database.

Available for iOS and Android systems, App Store and Google Play.

iNaturalist

Image: Google Play

Another perfect app for plant biodiversity lovers is iNaturalist. Much more than just an app for identifying plants, it works as a social networking platform. As such, you can share information about the topic with other iNaturalist users and also keep an eye on what is being posted on it to learn more about nature. 

iNaturalist helps you identify plants and animals with visually similar suggestions and verification by dedicated contributors. By recording and sharing your observations in the app, you’ll create research-quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.

Available for iOS and Android systems, App Store and Google Play.

Google Lens

Image: Google Play

Google has an app for just about everything you can think of, including one to help you identify all kinds of plants. While Lens is a comprehensive app where you can use your camera to find out who painted a piece of art or translate a menu, it can also identify which herb you’re looking at from a simple photo.

Plus, if you see a flower you find interesting and decide you want to buy it after identifying it, you can use the app to do so. It will show you the closest places to buy it. And you don’t have to worry about language barriers, as Lens supports searches in over 100 languages.

Available for iOS and Android systems, App Store and Google Play.

PictureThis

Image: Google Play

PictureThis is one of the most accurate apps when it comes to identifying plants. And for good reason. Every day, more than 1,000,000 plants are searched on the app, offering 98% of accuracy. In addition, the platform offers advice on how to care for plants, which is very useful if you are creating a garden, for example.

PictureThis's identification ranges from small herbs to large trees. It's also worth mentioning that the app is an excellent ally for you to take care of your plants the way they deserve. This is because with it, you can set timely reminders to water your vegetation at the right time.

Available for iOS and Android systems, App Store and Google Play.

Ready to find out what plant this is?

The plant identification apps on our list are a powerful tool to help you learn more about nature. In addition to being easy to use, they have databases with information about each species. So you can use them for educational, recreational, or even professional purposes. 

If you are looking for a way to learn more about nature, choose one of our options now.