WHO IT'S FOR
Plant Id for pet owners: is this plant toxic?
A bouquet arrives for a birthday. A new plant comes home from the grocery store with a tag that only says "tropical foliage". Or the cat has started chewing on the plant you have had for years and you realize you never knew what it was. You need the name first, then a plain answer about safety.
Plant Id names the plant from a photo and tells you whether it is toxic to cats, dogs and people.
Lilies are the one to know
For cats, some lilies are an emergency. True lilies (Lilium) and daylilies (Hemerocallis) are highly toxic to cats, and even a small exposure, like pollen licked off fur, can cause kidney failure or death. Easter, Asiatic, Stargazer and Tiger lilies are all in that group, and they show up in a lot of bouquets.
Not every "lily" is the same. Peace lilies are not true lilies. They cause mouth irritation and drooling, and are rarely serious. Lily of the valley is different again and can affect the heart. A common name alone does not tell you which one you have, which is why the photo ID comes first.
If your pet ate a plant
Move your pet away from the plant and keep a piece of it, or a clear photo.
Call your vet, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, open 24 hours. A consultation fee may apply.
Use Plant Id to put a name to the plant while you wait, and read what the profile says to watch for.
Plant Id is general information from published sources and a strong guess from a photo. Never treat a pet based on an app result alone.
Common plants pet owners ask about
Lilium species: Easter lily, Stargazer; Highly toxic to cats
Spathiphyllum: Peace lily; Mouth irritation, rarely serious
Sago palm: Sago palm; Toxic to cats and dogs
Aloe: Aloe vera; Check the profile before leaving it within reach
Check every plant you bring home. Save the ones you have to My Garden so you can look them up again.
Questions pet owners ask
How sure is the identification?
Plant Id shows a match score and the other possibilities. Treat it as a strong guess, and confirm with your vet if a pet has eaten something.
Does it work without signal?
The built-in encyclopedia of 549 plants works offline, including the toxicity notes.
Is Plant Id free?
Yes, to start: 5 photo scans a day, the full encyclopedia and reminders, with a small ad. Premium gives 100 scans a day and no ads.
Is it on iPhone?
Not yet. Plant Id is an Android app for now.