PSA: My old plant ID method involved a lot of frantic Googling and blurry photos.

Used to just snap a pic of a leaf and type 'green plant with pointy bits' into a search bar. Then my friend in Portland showed me a free app that scans and actually works, changed the game last spring. Anyone have a favorite plant ID trick that isn't just guessing?

3 comments

3 Comments

avery_walker302mo ago

Yeah those scanner apps are a lifesaver, I always double check the results against a gardening site though just to be safe lol

bencampbell23d ago

Bro same thing happened to me last spring! Found this cool looking plant at a garage sale, bright red berries and everything. Took a pic with PictureThis and turns out it was pokeweed which is super toxic to pets. Had to yank it out wearing thick gloves and a long sleeve shirt, the whole nine yards. Makes you wonder how many random plants people just have sitting around that could be dangerous. Definitely taught me to never trust a plant just cause it looks pretty. Now I scan everything before bringing it home lol.

henrygonzalez2mo ago

My buddy in Austin had this weird spiky succulent on his patio for years, called it his "desert pineapple." He finally used one of those scanner apps on a whim and it turned out to be a seriously toxic Euphorbia, the sap can burn your skin. He had to repot the thing wearing gardening gloves and safety glasses, it was a whole production. Makes you realize how much we just live with mystery plants.