How to Identify a Plant From a Photo

To identify a plant from a photo, take a clear, well-lit picture of the leaves, plus flowers or fruit if it has them, and run it through a plant identification app. The quality of the photo matters more than almost anything else.

How do I take a good photo for identification?

• Use natural light and avoid heavy shadows or glare.
• Fill the frame with the plant part, and keep it in focus.
• Capture the leaves clearly, including the shape and edges, and if possible the underside.
• Include flowers, fruit, or the whole plant in a second photo when you can.
• Use a plain background if practical.

Why do different photos give different results?

Many plants look alike, especially when young or not in flower. A blurry photo, a single leaf, or a plant seen from far away gives the app less to work with.

How accurate are plant identification apps?

They work well for common houseplants and garden species from a clear photo, but rare species, look-alikes, and unclear photos are harder. No app is perfect, so treat a result as a strong lead and double-check important cases, such as whether a plant is safe for pets.

What should an app do when it is unsure?

Say so. Plantorbia’s identification is built to say when it is not confident, rather than return a confident-sounding guess, and it can tell you what a clearer photo would need. See plant identification in Plantorbia.

What can I do once I know what it is?

Look up its light and watering needs and check if it is toxic to pets. See are houseplants safe for cats and dogs?. Plantorbia can also set reminders and keep a record for the plant.

What if I still cannot identify it?

Try photos from different angles and in different light, or compare it with reference photos of likely candidates, such as those on botanical gardens’ websites.

Related reading: How to care for a monstera, How to care for a pothos