PlantNet

What Is It, In Plain Words?

PlantNet is a free plant identifier from a science research project run by French research institutes. Take a photo of a leaf, flower, fruit or bark, and it suggests what the plant is.

Your photos can help scientists track plants, if you choose to share them.

What You Can Use It For

• Gardening. Name that plant that came with the house.
• Walking. Identify wildflowers and trees.
• Helping science. Share your sightings with the project.

Getting Started Step By Step

On A Phone Or Tablet

1. Open the App Store (iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for PlantNet and check it's made by PlantNet. Copycat apps exist.
3. Tap Get or Install, then open it.
4. Choose your area (such as Western Europe or the USA) for better results.

On A Computer

1. Open your web browser and go to identify.plantnet.org. Check the address carefully, because look-alike sites exist.
2. You can also upload a photo from a computer.

Things To Try Typing

Things to try in the app.

What It Costs

It's free. There's no paid version to buy.

If anyone asks you to pay to use it, or to "unlock" it, that's a scam.

Privacy And Safety

• You can use it without an account. If you share observations, they may be public, including a rough location.
• Never type passwords, PINs, bank or card numbers, your National Insurance number (UK) or Social Security number (USA).

Good Points And Watch-Outs

Good Points

• Free, with no adverts.
• Made by scientists.
• Shows similar photos to help you check.

Watch-Outs

• Close, sharp photos work best.
• Gives several possible matches, so you need to pick the likeliest.
• Never eat a wild plant based on an app.

Similar Tools

• PictureThis: names plants and gives care tips.
• Seek by iNaturalist: identifies plants and wildlife, no account needed.
• Google Lens: point your camera at anything to identify it.

Common Questions

Is PlantNet free?

Yes, it's free.

Who makes PlantNet?

A research project run by French scientific institutes.

Why does it show several answers?

It gives a list of likely matches. Compare the photos to choose.