How to Identify House Plants
Knowing the name of a houseplant is crucial regardless of whether you buy it in a store or get it from a friend. A proper identification will help you decide if it's safe to have around small children or pets and determine the proper maintenance needed for the particular species.
It's easier than ever before to identify indoor plants. Search engines and phone apps allow you to make positive plant identifications using photographs.
Leaf Identification
Leaves are one of the most distinctive characteristics that distinguish plants from one other. They vary in shape, size, color and texture. Some have a distinct outline or shape, while others are arranged in bunches or in pairs. Another important identifier is leaf morphology. This is a term used to describe the distinctive way that leaves are laid out on stems. Leaves are also classified by their shape that include oval, oblong, elliptical, and linear. Leaves can also be curled or rolled, as well as have distinct tips and bases. Some leaves have a waxy layer known as the epidermis, which is a different identifier. The shape of the leaf's stomata, which are like mouths that open and close to exchange gases with air, is an important aspect in identifying trees as well.
Identifying the type of house plant by its leaves and flowers isn't always easy, especially when they're unfamiliar to you. There are a variety of apps available for mobile devices that assist you in identifying the kind of plant that you have. A lot of these apps scan the plant using the camera on your phone and search databases for similar images. LeafSnap is one of the most popular apps, alongside Picture This and PlantNet.
All of these apps are free to download however, you'll need a compatible smartphone to utilize these apps. You can also download the Google Lens application that is already installed on your phone. Google Lens uses your phone's camera to capture a photo of a plant and searches for similar photos.
If all else fails, you can ask for assistance from other members of the houseplant community via forums on social media or in online chat rooms. Many Facebook groups have a section devoted to houseplants. Members are willing to assist other members with identification and other maintenance needs. Additionally numerous horticultural and gardening societies have online communities that offer assistance with identifying house plants. They can also give advice on specific care needs such as fertilizing schedules or watering frequency. Some of these groups are active during the summer, while others are more active year round.
Flower Identification
In the past, people looking to identify the mystery plant needed to go to the library and closely compare grainy photos while perusing countless books about plants. Thanks to advances in technology and useful apps available today, identifying a plant has become easier and more accurate.
While leaves are a crucial aspect of plant identification, flowers are also a great indicator of what kind of plant you have. If they are covered in bracts or petals, single or multiple flowers fused or free-standing flowers, the shape and color of the flower can help you to determine what kind of plant it is.
Flowers can also give clues as to the origin of a plant and what environment is the best for it. For instance, if your flower has a lot of green and red in it, it may be bromeliad (French torpedo or Staghorn). These are tropical plants that thrive in warm climates however, they require plenty of sunlight and water in order to grow well.
There are other aspects that you should be looking for when determining a plant. One is the shape and texture of the leaves - are they smooth, leathery or papery? The aroma of the flower is important. Does it smell pleasant? Also, best house plants is positioned on the stem is also important. Are the leaves laid out in an arc or do they come out of the base?
After you've compiled your list of physical characteristics and then add them to an online database or encyclopedia of plants to discover what the plant that is mysterious. However, it is important to remember that internet search engines are not completely reliable and could give you a result that's not what you're looking for. It is therefore important to take a clear photograph of your plant and upload it to the Internet. You can also employ field guides, but they are more likely to be specific to your local area.
Internet Search Engines
There are many free and easy ways on the internet to identify houseplants from your couch. You can use keywords like 'flower leaves', and the like to find an appropriate match. You can also examine photos of your elusive plant with others. It's also worth determining if your houseplant shares common characteristics with other species. For instance, if your latest plant has leaves that are similar to aloe vera, searching for aloe varieties with different colours and textures may help identify the possible options.
Candide is a basic online tool that lets you upload your plant's photo and then utilizes a database to try to find it. It's free to use and doesn't come with numerous distracting advertisements. Its success depends on the quality and quantity of the photo. You won't be allowed to upload multiple images to increase the chances of getting a good result.
PlantSnap is another useful online resource. It offers a vast database that covers everything from flowers and trees to succulents, cacti and more. It's completely free to use, and you can save and categorize your findings into categories, making it easier to review them in the future. The only drawback is that it's not always able to identify plants accurately and you'll have to access the internet to use it.
Greenery in your home not just benefits the environment, but also lowers stress and serotonin levels. Despite their popularity it is important to buy plants you can realistically take care of. If you don't have enough sunlight in your home, for instance, it could be better to select an easy-care, durable shrub instead of a fiddle-leaf.
Apps
There are a number of plant identification apps that you can download for your tablet or smartphone. They function by comparing photos of a leaf or plant to a database. The results are then displayed to you along with information about the species and suggestions on how to care for it. These apps can save you a lot of time and effort when trying to identify the species of a plant.
LeafSnap is a well-known application that can be used with iPhones and iPads. The application is free to download however, it isn't able to receive regular updates. This could cause glitches and bugs to show up in the interface. It also might not have the best search capabilities, as some users have reported that it doesn't find many of the plants they're searching for.
Another highly rated plant identification app is PictureThis, which has over 27 million plants in its database and claims 99percent accuracy. You can upload a picture of an unknown plant, and it will provide an inventory of possible matches as well as the care instructions. You can also get information regarding the taxonomy for the plant as well as its botanical name.
iNaturalist offers an alternative method of identification of plants. It's a community-based application where you can submit pictures of unknown plants and have them identified by other users. Users then "vote" on the most suitable match and the app then combines the results to come to the final decision. It's an easy method to meet other gardeners and share gardening tips and tricks.
The apps are great at identifying plants, but they're not very good in providing tips on how to cultivate them. It's important to remember that these apps aren't designed to replace a botanist or gardener they're just a handy tool for identifying your home plants.
Before downloading any plant identification application It is advisable to do some research. Read the app store reviews and privacy policies to find out what it will do with your personal data. It's recommended to visit the website of the company to see if they have any information about the way their software functions and if it's safe to use.