Unfamiliar plants pop up everywhere: in cafes, at friends’ houses, or in the park. To figure out what these plants are and what they need, you usually have to guess. In this Botan App review, we’ll take a look at a tool designed to put an end to all that guesswork. We’ll explain what the app does, how each function works, and who should download it.
What Is Botan?
Botan is a plant identification app that runs right on your phone. It works on both iOS and Android. Point your camera at a plant — and you will see its name, along with care tips for that species. It’s equally suitable for complete beginners and hobbyist gardeners. In addition to the Botan plant App, there’s also a connected website. It features a complete catalog of species, as well as care guides.
Botan Tested: How Each Feature Performs
Since Botan is more than just a scanner, we tested every tool separately. The goal was to see how it handles typical everyday use in real situations with real plants. What follows is what any houseplant owner encounters every week.
Plant Identification and Accuracy
First of all, people want to find an app to identify plants, so we started with testing this function. To do this, we gathered 10 species and scanned each one using the app. The selection included both low-maintenance houseplants and rarer species, as well as several exotic specimens.
After each scan, Botan provided the name, origin, a brief description of its characteristics, and basic care recommendations. The cards remained neat and easy to read. Here are the results of our testing.
| Plant | Result |
| Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) | ✅ |
| Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) | ✅ |
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | ✅ |
| Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) | ✅ |
| ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) | ✅ |
| Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) | ✅ |
| String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus) | ✅ |
| Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) | ✅ |
| Green Lavender (Lavandula viridis) | 🟠 correct genus, wrong species |
| Living Stone (Lithops) | ❌ no confident match |
Common houseplants were always identified correctly. Some issues arose with more complex species — when scanning Green Lavender, the app identified only the genus, but not the species. And when we tried to identify Lithops, the app didn’t provide a confident match. Overall, the accuracy is about 8.5 out of 10, which is a good result for everyday use.
Plant Care Plan and Reminders
Naming a plant is only half the job — keeping it alive is much harder. Botan creates a custom care plan for each species. Each plan is tailored to the specific plant and outlines the key points:
- Watering — how much and how often the plant needs water;
- Lighting — the optimal light level;
- Soil pH and Type — what pH level and type of soil the species requires;
- Fertilizer — a feeding schedule tailored to the species;
- Temperature — the most suitable range to maintain;
- Humidity — the optimal level for the plant.
The app also features reminders that notify you when it’s time to water, fertilize, or repot. Notifications appear as regular text messages, which is very convenient if you tend to forget. For busy houseplant lovers, this safety net is a real advantage.
Pest and Disease Detection
A sick plant is stressful, whether it’s yellowing leaves, brown spots, or insects you can’t identify. In addition to being an identification tool, Botan also functions as a plant disease identifier app. Once you take a photo of the problem area, the app will scan it for probable causes, such as root rot, spider mites, or nutrient deficiencies.
During testing, we took several photos of obvious damage on a Monstera deliciosa. The app suggested that the damage could have been caused by sun stress due to direct rays. However, the results work best as a hint rather than a diagnosis. It points you in the right direction, not as a substitute for a full inspection.
Botanist Chat
There’s also a built-in chat feature with an AI plant expert. During testing, we asked a question about watering via chat, along with a photo of a Philodendron. The app responded with a convenient and easy-to-use instruction. This is where it really comes into its own, especially when the scan results are unclear or require more detailed analysis.
Plant Database
The scanner has an incredibly extensive library. Botan stores records of over 30,000 species, which covers a very wide range. Houseplants make up a significant portion of this database. It includes flowers, succulents, and cacti, as well as trees and herbs you might find on your kitchen windowsill. Each entry includes basic care information and a few defining characteristics. You can browse the entire database without scanning anything, which is very convenient when planning your next plant purchase.
Light Meter
Light levels can make or break a houseplant. That’s why the light meter built into the Botan app is so handy — it helps you find the perfect spot for your plant. Point your phone’s camera at the spot you plan to place your plant to see if the light level is suitable there. This small but important function makes care much easier.
How Botan Identifies Plants
Scan starts as soon as you press the button. Follow the steps below to learn how Botan can identify plants by photo:
1) You take a photo or upload a photo of a plant from your phone’s gallery.
2) Botan compares your image with all plant names in its library.
3) If there’s a clear match, the name, origin, characteristics, and care tips appear in seconds.
4) If there’s no clear match, the AI examines the photo and suggests the most likely species.
Botan: Pros and Cons
After all the practical testing, Botan proved to be a reliable tool for everyday use by any plant owner. It handles basic tasks well, although there are a few caveats you should be aware of before using it.
Pros:
- Quick and reliable identification of common houseplants
- Care plans tailored to each saved species
- Watering and fertilizing reminders
- Check for diseases and pests with a single photo
- Extensive database containing over 30,000 species for browsing
- Convenient additional features, such as a light meter and chat with an AI plant expert
Cons:
- All features are only available with a paid subscription
- The app requires an internet connection to work
- Image accuracy decreases with blurry images
Who Is Botan Best For?
Botan is a useful tool for more than just gardeners, and that’s where its appeal lies. Several groups will benefit from it.
Beginner Plant Owners
If you’re completely new to the world of plants, Botan is a great starting point. You don’t need prior knowledge to use it — scan all your plants to identify them and see care instructions. Watering, lighting, and fertilizing are all clearly explained. If you want to delve deeper, the Botan blog publishes helpful articles on plant care for beginners and experienced gardeners.
Houseplant Collectors
Managing an entire indoor jungle is another task Botan can help with. Once you save each plant to your collection, the app will track them all simultaneously. Reminders come individually for each plant, which means your fern and cactus will never share the same schedule. For a dedicated collector, this kind of organization is worth a lot.
Pet Owners and Parents
Many common plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and curious children, and you can easily overlook this. Botan automatically checks the toxicity of every species detected. Scan a new plant before it enters your home. If there’s a risk, the app will immediately alert you. For pet owners and parents, this single scan can prevent a dreaded trip to the vet.
Botan Review Verdict
So, should you install Botan? If you’re a plant enthusiast, then the answer is yes. The identification process is fast and generally successful, plus the care plans and reminders are extremely useful. The advantages are even more obvious with a disease scanner and light meter. The only real limitation is the cost; the more powerful features are only available to users with a subscription. The app is best used if you have multiple plants, not just one Pothos. Both amateurs and professional gardeners will benefit from the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Botan accurate enough for outdoor plants?
Botan performs well on common outdoor plants. Results can be unpredictable with rarer wild species, so you should always double-check.
Does Botan have a plant collection feature?
Yes, it does. You can save each plant to your own collection and track each one with your own set of reminders.
Does Botan work without an internet connection?
No. An internet connection is required for the scanner and AI features.
