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How to Use Frondly: A Simple Guide to Identifying Your Plants

October 22, 2024 0 min read

Frondly homepage showing the main scan button and navigation

Getting Started with Frondly

When you first visit Frondly, you'll see a big green button that says "Start Scanning." This is where your plant identification journey begins. Let's walk through each step of using Frondly to identify and learn about your plants.

Step 1: Creating Your Account

The sign-up page with simple form fields

The first thing you'll want to do is create your account. When you sign up, you'll get 30 free credits to start identifying plants right away. Here's what you need:

  • Your email address
  • A password you can remember
  • That's it! No complicated forms or personal information needed

Step 2: Taking Your First Plant Photo

Example of good and bad plant photos for identification

Getting a good photo of your plant makes a big difference in how well Frondly can identify it. Here's how to take the perfect plant photo:

  • Find a bright spot near a window where there's lots of natural light
  • Make sure you can see the whole plant, including its leaves and stems
  • Wipe any dust off the leaves so they're nice and clean
  • Take your photo straight on, not from above or below

Step 3: Uploading Your Photo

The upload interface showing where to click and how to select photos

Once you have your photo, uploading it to Frondly is easy:

  • Click the big "Upload" button in the middle of your screen
  • Choose your plant photo from your computer or phone
  • Wait a few seconds while Frondly looks at your plant
  • Each scan uses 10 credits from your account

Step 4: Understanding Your Results

A results page showing plant identification details

After Frondly looks at your plant photo, you'll see a page with lots of helpful information:

  • The name of your plant (both the common name and scientific name)
  • How sure Frondly is about the identification (we call this the confidence score)
  • Basic information about caring for your plant
  • Pictures of similar plants to help you confirm it's the right one

Step 5: Talking to the Plant Expert

The chat interface where you can ask questions

After Frondly identifies your plant, you can ask questions about how to take care of it. Each question costs 1 credit, but you get very helpful answers. Here's how to get the best advice:

  • Click the "Chat About This Plant" button
  • Ask specific questions like "How often should I water my peace lily in winter?"
  • Tell the expert about where you keep your plant
  • Ask about any problems you see, like yellow leaves or drooping stems

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Sometimes things don't work perfectly the first time. Here's how to fix common problems:

If Your Photo Isn't Clear Enough:

  • Move closer to a window for better light
  • Make sure your camera lens is clean
  • Hold your device very still when taking the photo
  • Try taking the picture from a different angle

If the Plant Name Seems Wrong:

  • Take another photo showing more of the plant
  • Include any flowers if your plant has them
  • Make sure the leaves are clearly visible
  • Use the "Not Correct?" button to let us know

Using Your Credits Wisely

Remember these important things about credits:

  • You get 30 free credits when you sign up
  • Each plant scan costs 10 credits
  • Each question you ask the expert costs 1 credit
  • You can buy more credits anytime you need them
  • Your previous scans are saved forever in your account

Pro Tips for Getting the Best Results

Visual examples of pro tips in action

Here are some secrets to getting the most out of Frondly:

  1. Morning light is the best time to take plant photos
  2. If your plant has spots or patterns, take a close-up photo of them
  3. Save credits by checking your past scans before scanning again
  4. Keep notes about your plants in your Frondly account

Ready to Start?

Head over to Frondly and start identifying your plants today. Remember, you get 30 free credits when you sign up, so you can try everything we talked about in this guide.

If you need help, you can always click the "Help" button in the top right corner of the website, or send an email to help@frondly.app.

Happy plant identifying! 🌿

Next week: Learn how to use Frondly's advanced features for tracking your plant's growth over time.

Adam@Frondly