# PlantFiles Scraper - Dave's Garden Plant Database (`lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper`) Actor Scrape 200K+ plants from Dave's Garden PlantFiles. Search by name, genus, or family. Get USDA hardiness zones, sun/water needs, bloom info, and community growing notes. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## PlantFiles Scraper - Dave's Garden Plant Database Extract plant data from [Dave's Garden PlantFiles](https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/), one of the largest community-driven plant databases with 200,000+ plant entries. ### What data can you scrape? #### Basic mode (default) Search results include: - **Common names** and **scientific names** (genus + species) - **Image URL** (thumbnail) - **Community stats** (likes, reviews count) - **Plant URL** for reference #### Detail mode (`scrapeDetails: true`) Full plant profile data including: - **Taxonomy**: Family, genus, species, scientific name - **Growing conditions**: USDA hardiness zones (min-max), sun exposure, water requirements - **Physical characteristics**: Height, spread/spacing, foliage type and color - **Bloom info**: Color, bloom time, bloom size, bloom characteristics - **Soil**: pH requirements - **Other**: Category (perennial, annual, etc.), propagation methods, seed collecting, danger info - **Regional data**: Where the plant grows outdoors - **Community growing notes**: User reviews with location, date, sentiment (positive/neutral/negative), and full comment text - **Ratings summary**: Positive, neutral, and negative review counts ### Input parameters | Parameter | Type | Default | Description | |-----------|------|---------|-------------| | `searchQueries` | string[] | `[]` | Plant names, genus, family, or common names to search | | `maxListings` | integer | `100` | Maximum total plants to return (1-10,000) | | `scrapeDetails` | boolean | `false` | Visit detail pages for full data + growing notes | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | - | Optional Apify proxy settings | ### Example input ```json { "searchQueries": ["rose", "tomato", "lavender"], "maxListings": 50, "scrapeDetails": true } ```` ### Example output (detail mode) ```json { "commonName": "Purple Loosestrife, Wand Loosestrife", "genus": "Lythrum", "species": "virgatum", "family": "Lythraceae", "scientificName": "Lythrum virgatum", "category": "Perennials", "usdaZones": "3a-9b", "sunExposure": "Full Sun", "waterNeeds": "Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater", "height": "36-48 in. (90-120 cm)", "spread": "12-15 in. (30-38 cm)", "foliage": "Herbaceous", "foliageColor": null, "bloomColor": "Pink", "bloomTime": "Late Summer/Early Fall", "soilPh": "6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)", "ratings": { "positive": 0, "neutral": 0, "negative": 4 }, "growingNotes": [ { "username": "coriaceous", "location": "ROSLINDALE, MA", "date": "October 2015", "sentiment": "negative", "comment": "Those who wish to grow this handsome but ecologically damaging plant..." } ], "imageUrl": "https://www.davesgarden.com/guides/pf/thumbnail.php?image=...", "url": "https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/629/", "searchQuery": "lythrum", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-25T12:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### Use cases - **Gardening apps**: Build plant databases with growing conditions and community advice - **USDA zone planning**: Find plants suitable for specific hardiness zones - **Plant research**: Analyze plant characteristics, bloom timing, and growing requirements - **Community sentiment**: Aggregate gardener opinions and growing tips by region - **Nursery/retail**: Enrich product catalogs with detailed plant care information - **Landscaping tools**: Match plants to sun, water, and soil conditions ### Performance - **Basic mode**: ~40 plants per page, very fast (AJAX endpoint) - **Detail mode**: ~1-2 plants per second (respects server rate limits) - **Recommended**: Start with basic mode to explore, then use detail mode for specific plants of interest ### Tips - Search by **common name** ("rose", "tomato") for broad results - Search by **genus** ("Rosa", "Solanum") for taxonomically specific results - Search by **family** ("Rosaceae") for related plant groups - The database has 200K+ entries; use `maxListings` to control output size - Detail mode is significantly slower but provides much richer data including growing notes # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): Plant names, genus, family, or common names to search (e.g. "rose", "tomato", "Lythrum"). Each query searches the PlantFiles database. ## `maxListings` (type: `integer`): Maximum total number of plants to scrape across all queries (1-10000). ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): Visit each plant's detail page to get full data: USDA zones, sun exposure, water needs, bloom info, foliage, soil pH, and community growing notes. Slower but much richer data. ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Optional proxy configuration for requests. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "rose" ], "maxListings": 100, "scrapeDetails": false } ``` # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "rose" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["rose"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQueries": [ "rose" ] }' | apify call lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/plantfiles-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "PlantFiles Scraper - Dave's Garden Plant Database", "description": "Scrape 200K+ plants from Dave's Garden PlantFiles. Search by name, genus, or family. Get USDA hardiness zones, sun/water needs, bloom info, and community growing notes.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "VigA5XKKp2L4FjMdq" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~plantfiles-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-plantfiles-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~plantfiles-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-plantfiles-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~plantfiles-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-plantfiles-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Plant names, genus, family, or common names to search (e.g. \"rose\", \"tomato\", \"Lythrum\"). Each query searches the PlantFiles database.", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxListings": { "title": "Max Plants", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 10000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum total number of plants to scrape across all queries (1-10000).", "default": 100 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Full Details", "type": "boolean", "description": "Visit each plant's detail page to get full data: USDA zones, sun exposure, water needs, bloom info, foliage, soil pH, and community growing notes. Slower but much richer data.", "default": false }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Optional proxy configuration for requests." } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```