Plant Identification Apps
"What is that flower?" Answered in 2 seconds.
Seek by iNaturalist
FREE, no adsMade by the California Academy of Sciences. Point and identify any plant, bug, bird, or animal.
Best free option, no signup needed, kid-safe.
PlantNet
FREEOpen-source from a French research consortium. Big database of wild plants.
Best for accuracy on wildflowers and weeds.
PictureThis
Free trial then $30/yearMost polished app. Identifies the plant + tells you watering, sunlight, when to plant. Plant care reminders.
Worth the trial if you have a sick houseplant.
iNaturalist
FREEFor serious nature lovers. Your photos contribute to real scientific research. Community of experts confirms IDs.
Citizen science.
Apple's Visual Look Up
FREE, built into iPhoneJust tap any photo in your camera roll → swipe up → if it sees a plant, the leaf icon appears → tap for ID.
No app to install if you already have iPhone with iOS 15+.
Google Lens
FREE, built into AndroidOpen Google app → tap the lens icon → point at a plant.
Works on iPhone too via the Google app.
Tips for accurate ID
- Take 2-3 photos from different angles — leaves, flower, full plant.
- Get close. Apps need detail, not the whole forest.
- Daylight is best.
- Leaves are often more diagnostic than flowers.
- For a sick plant, photograph the affected leaves AND a healthy one for comparison.
Where to start
Seek for free, ad-free identification. PictureThis if you want plant care reminders for houseplants and a polished interface — start with the free trial, decide if it\'s worth $30/year.