By Dariia Plaksina
If you encounter an unknown plant, you can identify it with a single tap using a dedicated identifier app. And it’s likely to be much more accurate than Apple Visual Look Up.
That’s exactly what Botan — an ID and care application from the App Store — is designed for. We decided to check and evaluate its effectiveness, features, and iPhone compatibility. In this Botan app review, we’ll share our findings, impressions, and recommendations based on the test results.
What Is Botan?
The Botan app is a multi-functional mobile plant assistant. It covers the full cycle of plant discovery and cultivation, from plant identification to care and disease treatment.
It’s simple, practical, and fully automated. No botanical knowledge is required. Botan is a good fit for beginner and casual gardeners, as well as those who’d like to learn more about the plants around them.
You can simply open the app, scan any plant, and get full information on the species and care tips. The same goes for disease ID. The tool is available on both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
Botan on iPhone: First Impressions
The Botan plant identifier app for iPhone requires 181 MB of free space and is free to download. It took us 1-2 seconds to install it.
The app greets you with a banner explaining what it is for, followed by a few slides on key features. Then it asks you to specify your goal, learn some statistics and facts, and create an account. Only a valid email address and password are required.
Unlike many iPhone apps, Botan doesn’t make you answer dozens of mandatory questions or skip them endlessly. The system is built to be intuitive, so the app gets you straight to the point — to key functions.
Key Features of the Botan App
Botan is the app to identify plants, but its functionality goes far beyond that, covering the full cycle of ongoing care.
| Feature | What It Does | Useful For |
| Care Plans & Plant Info | Covers basic & advanced care (personalized watering, fertilization, lighting, toxicity level, and more) | Easy and fully informed care management |
| Diagnosis | Identifies problems & diseases, from fungal infections to sun damage | Identifying the existing issue, getting a science-backed recovery plan |
| Tasks & Reminders | Reminds you of necessary actions, e.g., watering, checking soil moisture, pest inspection, fertilization, etc., all in one place | Sticking to the schedule & keeping plants healthy in the long term |
| Botanist Chat | Provides custom science-backed recommendations | Difficult cases, non-obvious issues, and advice beyond standard plant care |
Plant Identification
Once you open the app and register, the first thing you see is the green photo icon in the center of the screen. That’s the ID feature available with one tap.
You can take a photo or upload one from a gallery to learn the plant’s scientific and common name in 1-5 seconds, depending on the plant’s rarity and photo quality.
The Botan database includes all kinds of plants, from common houseplants to rare and exotic wild species. For example, you can identify a tree by picture, see its full profile, and check if it fits your garden.
Plant Problems ID
Botan is also a dedicated app to identify plant diseases. The feature works like Plant ID — you click the Diagnosis button and open a scanner. However, you’ll need to add at least 3 photos, not 1, to identify the issue.
The plant may be identified as healthy. In this case, you get only advanced care recommendations, common plant problem guides, and tips on how to avoid issues in the future.
For sick plants, you get the diagnosis, estimated recovery time (e.g., 5-7 weeks), and an action plan for this period.
Plant Care Plan
This feature becomes available after identification. Once you get information about the plant, you can press the Set a Care Plan button to get specific recommendations for every aspect of care.
At this stage, you also unlock care reminders such as watering, leaf cleaning, repotting, and fertilization (the selection and number depend on the species). The care tips can be found in the Plant Info section, where you can also see the toxicity status and additional tips, including DIY solutions for the species, light requirements, and more.
Light Meter
This feature also works as a scanner. You need to turn off artificial light sources, stand next to your plant, and point the camera towards the sun. The tool will identify the lighting level, so you can check whether it is appropriate for the species.
Botanist Chat
The next important feature we tested was the botanist chat. It has a typical messenger interface, so you need to open the chat window and ask any question. The feature adds the most value, as we received actual custom recommendations that went far beyond even a customized care plan.
It’s useful when you’re uncertain about ID results, have questions about adjusting your plant’s care or treatment, or want to pick new, suitable plants for your house or apartment.
Botan App Design and Usability
The app is highly intuitive. It has a dark theme with bright yellow and green elements, which, however, don’t look messy. On the Home screen, there’s a search bar and a bright green banner showing the current tasks and all the key features in the bottom menu.
The app supports the full iOS camera stack, requests only the necessary access (notifications for reminders, camera, and gallery), and works without camera permission (if you prefer to share selected files from your Gallery).
Botan Pricing on the App Store
Most core features are behind a paid plan, but the app offers a 3-day free trial. There are 3 premium plans: weekly, quarterly, and lifetime. Lifetime is definitely the best value. Exact costs vary widely by region, so if you’re getting a premium version, check the current terms before making a payment.
Botan vs. Apple Visual Look Up
Apple Visual Look Up can also handle basic plant ID, but it’s still not a dedicated app. Let’s see how standard iOS tools and Botan actually compare:
| Feature | Botan | Apple Visual Look Up |
| Identification algorithm | Specifically botanical, based on its own species database and specialized AI | On-device AI model object ID and web lookup |
| Identification process & result | Species-level ID with detailed information (facts & care) | You get the name and a link to Wikipedia |
| Care Guides | Yes, covering every aspect, coming with reminders | No |
| Interesting facts, tips, and related articles | Yes, full plant profile and blog articles | No, only 1 general source |
| Disease ID | Available | No |
| Environmental tools (e.g. Light Meter) | Available | No |
Apple Visual Look Up might be a useful tool. It’s convenient, pre-installed, free, and requires no subscription. It might work for those who only identify plants occasionally and don’t plan to care for them now or in the future. Botan is more accurate and effective for beginner, hobby, and amateur gardeners.
Should You Download Botan on Your iPhone?
Yes, if you’re looking for a universal plant care app. Botan works well for those who want to explore the world of flora, manage their gardens, and avoid common gardening mistakes.
It’s intuitive and fully practical. Every available feature actually solves a problem, whether it’s accurate identification, care customization, or disease treatment. There are no useless or overwhelming features. However, it’s not free, so we’d recommend it to users who are genuinely interested in gardening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Botan free on the App Store?
Yes, it’s completely free to download on the App Store. The app also offers a 3-day free trial.
Can Botan identify exotic plants?
Yes, Botan’s own database includes over 30,000 plant species, which allows the app to identify even the rarest plants.
Is Botan available in languages other than English?
Currently, the app is also available in Spanish and German.
