PlantPlanner

Written by Alessio on 1/20/2025

Minimalist Plant Care

PlantPlanner is an iOS application developed during the Apple Foundation Program to optimize indoor gardening. Unlike conventional apps that generate excessive notifications, PlantPlanner employs a minimalist approach, alerting users only when biologically necessary. The core system relies on a custom algorithm calibrated with agricultural data to calculate accurate evaporation rates for specific plant and pot combinations.

Algorithmic Foundation

The application shifts the focus from task-based checklists to predictive, science-backed scheduling.

Evapotranspiration Engine

Developed in collaboration with botany researchers, the scheduling engine calculates water requirements based on evapotranspiration principles. The algorithm processes multiple variables, including plant species, pot volume, and seasonal dormancy cycles. This dynamic approach ensures that watering schedules respect both the biological needs of the plant and the user's attention.

iOS Implementation and UX

The interface, built entirely with SwiftUI, adheres strictly to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. To enhance user engagement, the application utilizes the Taptic Engine to provide haptic feedback during interactions. Furthermore, all calculations and data storage occur locally on the device, ensuring high performance and uncompromising privacy without the need for external servers.

References

Here is the source code for the project:

https://github.com/kairosci/plant-planner