Gardening season is in full bloom, and whether you’re tending to your backyard or strolling through a park, you may find yourself wondering, What is that plant? Thankfully, artificial intelligence (AI) can help—and it’s easier to use than you might think.

You don’t need to be tech-savvy to identify plants these days. With just your smartphone and a free app or built-in feature, you can find out if that mysterious sprout is a weed, a wildflower, or a prized perennial.

A Garden Mystery Solved

A friend of mine recently moved into a new home and started weeding the garden. She paused over a plant she didn’t recognize and texted me a photo to ask if she should pull it. I used the LeafSnap app to identify it—and thank goodness I did. It turned out to be a daisy! Imagine accidentally yanking up your flower beds while thinking you’re on a weed-pulling mission. I told her she could use AI tools herself, right from her phone.

iPhone Users: Try Visual Look Up

If you have an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, you already have a built-in plant identifier called Visual Look Up. Here’s how it works:

• Open the Camera and take a photo of the plant.
• Go to the Photos app and tap on that image.
• Swipe up or tap the “info” (ℹ️) button.
• If you see a leaf icon, tap it—this will reveal the plant’s name and related information.

It’s simple, fast, and doesn’t cost a thing.

Android Users: You’ve Got Options Too

I also have an Android phone, and it has its own plant ID features built right in. Here’s what to do:

• Open your Camera, snap a photo of the plant.
• Go to your Gallery or Photos app and tap on the image.
• At the top of the screen, look for an icon that looks like an eye or a sparkly circle (depending on your phone model).
• Tap that icon. A menu will pop up—scroll down to “Discover”.
• Google will show you a list of potential matches based on the image.

Keep in mind, AI isn’t perfect—double-check your results before pulling anything. You wouldn’t want to toss out the daisies with the dandelions!

My Favorite App: LeafSnap

While built-in tools are great, I love using the free version of LeafSnap. It’s simple: you take a photo of a leaf, flower, bark, or plant, and the app tells you what it is. I use it often—on hikes, during visits to the New York Botanical Garden, Planting Fields in Long Island, or whenever I come across something beautiful and unfamiliar.

LeafSnap works on both iPhone and Android and is an excellent tool if you’re out exploring or just relaxing in your own yard.

Other Free Plant ID Apps to Try

If you’re curious to try more options, here are a few other highly rated plant identification apps:

• PictureThis – Clean interface, easy to use. (Free and premium options)
• PlantNet – Community-powered and focused on wild plants.
• iNaturalist – Great for plants and wildlife; run by scientists.
• Google Lens – Built into most Android phones and available on iOS too.

Everyday Tech for Everyday Curiosity

These tools are a fun way to learn more about the world around you, whether you’re gardening, hiking, or just taking a stroll through the neighborhood. AI doesn’t have to be intimidating—it can be your helpful sidekick for discovery and a second opinion when you’re unsure about that plant in your flowerbed.

So the next time you’re about to pull a weed, maybe snap a picture first—you just might save a daisy.