PlantNet Plant Identification for iPhone

Quick plant ID on your phone

PlantNet Plant Identification is a free educational and reference app that helps you identify plants from a photo. Point your phone camera at a leaf, flower, or whole plant, snap a picture, and the app suggests matching species and background information so you can learn more about what you found.

How it compares to other apps

Although its database is smaller than some competitors (around 20,000 species currently), PlantNet stands out because all of its core tools are available at no cost. Some rival apps lock advanced features behind a paid subscription; PlantNet keeps its identification and sharing functions freely accessible.

Notable capabilities

• Filter identification results by taxonomic rank, for example family or genus.
• Search across multiple floras at once (multi-flora mode) instead of only the few you selected.
• Mark preferred floras for faster access to the groups you use most.
• Re-run identifications on observations shared by other users and display findings on a map.

Recent improvements and extra resources

Since its January 2019 update cycle the app has received numerous enhancements. You’ll now find improved navigation through taxonomic levels inside the image gallery, plus direct links to authoritative factsheets for many species. The app also makes it simpler to explore and verify observations submitted by the community.

Tips for taking photos that improve accuracy

• Capture close-up details such as thorns, buds, and stem hairs — these small features can be crucial for telling apart similar species.
• Include an image of the entire plant to show overall habit, but don’t rely on that alone. Multiple views (leaf, flower, fruit, bark) increase the chance of a correct match.
• Provide clear, well-lit images and, when possible, several photos from different angles.

Contributing to plant science

Using PlantNet also supports a global citizen science initiative. Photos and observations contributed by users are aggregated and made available to researchers, helping to expand knowledge of plant diversity, distribution, and conservation needs. By uploading your sightings you help scientists study plant evolution and inform preservation strategies.