About PlantNative

PlantNative is a free tool that helps people in India answer one simple question: is this plant native, or is it invasive? For each plant we show its status, the benefits of native species, and better native alternatives to invasive ones.

Why this exists

A lot of trees planted in Indian cities and campuses are non-native, and some are actively harmful. Species like conocarpus, lantana and water hyacinth spread fast, use up water, and push out the local plants that our birds, bees and butterflies depend on. Most people simply do not have an easy way to check before they plant. PlantNative is that check.

What you can do here

• Search a plant by name and see whether it is native or invasive in India.
• Upload a photo and let the tool identify the plant for you.
• Read the real benefits of native species and what to plant instead of invasive ones.
• Browse the full list, filtered by status.

Where the information comes from

Plant details are compiled from published botanical references, forest department material and well-documented invasive-species records for India. Photo identification is powered by the free Pl@ntNet service. This is educational guidance, not a legal or scientific ruling. Native and invasive status can vary by region and can change over time, so please confirm with your State Forest Department or a qualified botanist before any large planting. See our Disclaimer for more.

Who runs it

PlantNative is built and maintained by Dr. Aran Castro A J, a GIS Manager and Research Consultant based in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. You can reach out through the Contact page or visit draran.online.