PictureThis

PictureThis is a plant identifier app that names plants from a photo and helps gardeners and houseplant owners care for them. It is one of the most popular apps in its category, with more than a million App Store ratings, and goes beyond naming a species to cover care, toxicity and plant health diagnosis. A companion website adds a large encyclopedia and care guides you can read without the app.

What is PictureThis used for?

People use PictureThis to identify unknown plants and keep the ones they own healthy.

• Identifying flowers, trees, weeds, succulents and houseplants from a photo
• Diagnosing yellowing leaves, spots and pests, with suggested treatments
• Checking whether a plant is toxic to children, cats or dogs
• Reading care guides for light, watering and soil for houseplants and garden plants
• Browsing lists of weeds and toxic plants by region
• Learning plant uses and symbolism, and joining a community that shares snaps

Who PictureThis is best for

PictureThis suits new plant parents, gardeners, hikers curious about wildflowers, and pet owners who want to check whether a plant is safe. Teachers and students can also use it on nature walks. Botanists and foragers should treat identifications as a starting point, never as confirmation that a wild plant or mushroom is safe to eat.

PictureThis pricing

PictureThis is free to download and includes a limited number of free identifications, with frequent prompts to upgrade. A paid Pro subscription unlocks unlimited identifications and more detailed information. The website does not publish a price list. As of October 2026 the App Store lists PictureThis Pro at several price points, most often $39.99, plus lower-priced options and a Family Plan at $49.99. New subscriptions are often offered with a free trial that renews automatically, so set a reminder if you only want to test it. There is no business plan for consumers.

Limitations to keep in mind

• The free tier is limited, and upgrade screens appear often
• Trials can roll into an annual charge if you forget to cancel
• Identification accuracy drops with blurry photos, seedlings or unusual cultivars
• Never rely on any app alone to decide whether a plant is edible

PictureThis vs alternatives

Google Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude can all identify a plant from an uploaded photo and answer follow-up questions about care in plain language, which is enough for occasional use at no extra cost. They do not provide a dedicated plant library, toxicity lists by region or a saved collection of your own plants. PictureThis is the better choice for frequent identification, regular care guidance and diagnosis in an app built specifically for plants.

Tips for getting started with PictureThis

Photograph a single leaf, flower or the whole plant in good light, filling the frame, and take more than one shot if the first result looks uncertain. For diagnosis, include both healthy and damaged leaves so the comparison is clear. Check the toxicity section before bringing a new plant home if you have pets or toddlers. If you start a Pro trial, cancel in your app store settings before it renews unless you plan to keep it.

PictureThis FAQ

Is PictureThis free?

Partly. PictureThis is free to download with limited free identifications, and a Pro subscription, most often listed at $39.99 in the App Store, unlocks unlimited use.

How accurate is PictureThis?

PictureThis is accurate for most common plants in clear photos, but results can be wrong for blurry images, young seedlings or rare varieties.

Can PictureThis tell if a plant is toxic to pets?

Yes. PictureThis shows toxicity information for many plants, including whether they are harmful to cats, dogs or children.

What is the best alternative to PictureThis?

Google Gemini is a good free alternative for occasional plant identification from a photo, while ChatGPT can also answer care questions about a plant you upload.