Plant Dictionary is a reference app for iOS that provides a catalog of 600 plants with botanical names and descriptions.
Product velocity
Dormant
Daily rank 🇺🇸
—
Reference
Sentiment
2.0
2 reviews
Nemesis
Fragmented field
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
It serves as a quick-reference alternative to physical books for gardeners needing to verify plant nomenclature.
For Gardeners and botany enthusiasts seeking a quick reference for plant identification and nomenclature.
What does it look like?
Key features
Catalog of 600 plants with common and botanical names, images, and descriptions.
Deep links to external Wiki pages for extended plant information.
User-curated list of liked plants for quick retrieval.
How much does it cost?
The app is free to download with no visible subscription or in-app purchase gates.
Velocity
Dormant developmentnew contentUX improvementsShow more...
Plant Dictionary has been inactive for 802 days, indicating a complete cessation of development. The latest release, which introduced an articles section, remains the only version in the observed window. There is no evidence of ongoing maintenance, feature updates, or live operations. The project appears to be in a zombie state.
Who built it?
Martin Ogg
3 apps tracked · Reference
House Plant Dictionary Pro
Plant Dictionary ProUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Recent user voice shows an upset sentiment.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The app fails to provide the core plant identification functionality after installation, preventing users from taking pictures
1 of 1 recent reviews analyzed · limited sample
Read the full review analysisCompetition
Competitive landscape for Plant Dictionary
How's the Reference market?
Plant Dictionary holds a 2.0-star rating across its limited user base. The lack of updates since June 2024 positions the app as a legacy reference tool rather than a competitive botanical utility.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
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Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Plant Dictionary
Where is it heading?
The botanical reference market has shifted toward AI-powered image recognition, leaving static dictionary apps like Plant Dictionary at a significant disadvantage. Without a major functional pivot, the app will continue to lose relevance as users migrate to tools that offer real-time identification.
- The two-year development hiatus prevents the app from adopting modern image-recognition standards, which accelerates user churn to more capable botanical rivals.
- User reports of broken identification controls in the current build directly cause the 2.0-star rating, creating a negative feedback loop for new downloads.
The SWOT
- Catalog of 600 plants provides a baseline for botanical nomenclature.
- Wiki integration enables quick access to extended plant information.
- Implementing camera-based identification would align the product with current market expectations for plant reference tools.
Next best moves
Sunset the app because the core identification feature is broken and development is dormant → stop brand erosion.
The counter-intuitive read
The app's static nature is not its primary failure…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The product strategy has shifted from a potential pivot to a recommended sunset due to the persistent, unresolved failure of the core identification feature. The analysis now explicitly frames the app's two-year dormancy as a terminal competitive disadvantage.
Bottom line
Plant Dictionary's failure to execute its core identification promise, coupled with a two-year development hiatus, signals a product that no longer meets user needs.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 1 market threat and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Plant Dictionary good for identifying plants from photos?
Does Plant Dictionary require an internet connection?
What is a better alternative to Plant Dictionary?
Sources
Report last updated