Plant Parent: Plant Care Guide 4+

Good! Even with free version

I’ve used this app for a few months, and apart from a subscription ad popping up every time you open the app, it is very good.

Usually with apps like this, it offers very limited features with free versions. However, this app tells characteristics of the plant, allows journal entries and gives alerts when you need to water/ fertilise plants. When selecting the plant you want to track, it has a very handy tool that allows you to take a picture of the plant and it will tell you the specific name and what the plant needs, even if you don’t know the name yourself.

It tells you where the plant does best in the house, if it will get enough sunlight etc.

The diagnostic tool is amazing, just take a picture and it will tell you what’s wrong with your plant or if it is healthy.

It’s great to see the process of the plants growing/ changing with the journal entries, as you can input 3 photos of the plants each entry.

(I only have 2 plants listed, so I’m not sure how many you can have with the free version.)

Overall, I love this app for my plants!

Don’t fall for the advertisement.

I bought the subscription on this app because the advertising showed they used natural supplements to treat sick plants. Like Lemmon and turmeric for example. However after using the app now for about 3 years. I’ve never experienced this app how it represents itself in the advertising videos. They are misleading and false.

The app actually gives you advice on how to care for the plant that you will find on the plant label, for example temperature to keep it, how after to water. Humidity the plant likes. But the app does not tell you to use lemons and herbs like it is advertised!

The app however is good for identifying plants you see on your travels if you need to find the name of something you’ve seen and like. I do this often when flying around the world and see something I’d like to buy. But the app itself on care is basic. You can find the care needs on Google if you know the name of your plant and save yourself money every month.

The app it’s more like a plant diary. Helps you keep track water schedules and care tips on tap as mentioned above & indenting other plants. But don’t fall for the advert.

Do I think it’s worth the money. No! I don’t. I think you can do everything this app offers in a book of your own & a little Google sketching on care tips.

However. I pay as I use it as a plan identifying app. But if you are not Interested in this. Then don’t buy the subscription. Buy a book & a pen instead.

Developer Response ,

Thank you for your honest review and for being a long-term user. We understand your disappointment regarding the discrepancy between our advertising and the actual app functionalities. Our intent was to highlight the natural aspects of plant care, and we apologize if this was misleading. We're glad to hear you find the plant identification feature useful during your travels, and we appreciate your insights on the plant care advice.

Your suggestion of a more comprehensive approach to natural plant care tips is valuable, and we'll certainly consider it for future updates. We aim to provide a service that not only identifies plants but also offers unique and helpful care advice.

Please remember, our team is always open to feedback and suggestions to improve. For any further concerns or specific feedback, do reach out to charlie@gloritysolutions.com for immediate assistance. We're here to listen and grow with you. Thank you for your support and for helping us improve.

Dodgy membership practices

So I got a new phone and realised I would have to sign up as a member to transfer all my plant data from my old one. No problem, 7 day free trial, all good. I hadn’t signed up yet because I was testing a couple of other apps out.

So everything goes fine, my plants come up on my phone but then I realise that on my new phone it’s telling me I should have watered some of my plants three days ago… bit odd, so I checked the care tab for the plants and the watering routine had changed from every 10 days to every 7 days.

I checked my other plants and it turned out all the succulents watering times had also changed to be further apart…

Given that these changes happened after I signed up for membership, can I assume that plant parent was giving me information that wasn’t giving the proper care to my plants?

Furthermore the first impulse point when you look at the membership sign up claims “Premium members are 2.6x more likely to keep their plants happy” given that the information I’m now getting is more likely to keep my plants happy, (possibly 2.6x) I do wonder where they got that figure from.

I’ve really enjoyed using the app and would love to be shown that it’s just a mistake. If it isn’t, I’m not sure how I feel about paying a company that gives misleading information to its customers in the hopes of making more money.

Developer Response ,

Hello. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We truly appreciate your insights, and we're sorry for the confusion and concerns you've faced regarding the watering routine changes after signing up for membership.
First and foremost, understanding and addressing your concerns is paramount to us. Every month, we will tailor a watering schedule for your plants based on your current location, season, weather, and growth conditions to promote their health. For instance, during winter, many succulent plants either enter a dormant phase or experience a slowed growth rate. At this time, their water requirements diminish. The roots of succulents are especially prone to rotting from over-watering, particularly in cold and humid conditions. As the weather cools, the evaporation rate of moisture in the soil becomes much slower than in summer, causing the soil to remain damp for extended periods. If over-watered, the roots of the succulents might stay in an overly moist state for too long, increasing the risk of rot. In summary, to protect your succulents from adverse effects during temperature drops and to ensure they are not threatened by root rot, we should gradually reduce the amount of water given and extend the intervals between watering sessions.
For any further concerns, queries, or to discuss this matter in detail, please don't hesitate to reach out to charlie@gloritysolutions.com. We value your trust and will strive to ensure you feel confident and happy with our service.
Thank you for being a part of our community, and we hope to continue serving you in the best possible way.