Growth Charts - Visualize Progress

🎯 What You'll Learn

• Chart types - Height, width, leaf count visualizations
• Growth tracking - Monitor your plant's development over time
• Growth rate - Automatic calculations and trends
• Data insights - Understand your plant's growth patterns

⚡ Quick Start

View your first growth chart in 30 seconds:

1. Plant Details → Growth Tracking tab
2. Charts section appears (if you have 2+ records)
3. View your plant's progress over time
4. Review growth trends and patterns

Result: Visual representation of your plant's growth journey!

📚 Complete Guide

Chart Types

4 Built-In Visualizations

Height Chart

Line Graph showing height over time

What It Shows

X-Axis (Horizontal): Timeline (dates of measurements)
Y-Axis (Vertical): Height (cm or inches)
Line: Connects measurement points chronologically
Trend Line (Optional): Shows overall growth trajectory

How to Read It

Upward Slope: Plant growing taller ✅

• Steep slope = Fast growth
• Gentle slope = Slow steady growth

Flat Line: No height change

• Normal for dormancy (winter)
• Concerning if prolonged during growth season

Downward Slope: Height decrease ⚠️

• Check notes: Pruned? Repotted?
• If unintentional: Plant health issue

Best For

• Upright plants (Monstera, Snake Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig)
• Tracking vertical development
• Identifying growth spurts vs dormancy

Width Chart

Line Graph showing spread over time

What It Shows

X-Axis: Timeline
Y-Axis: Width (cm or inches)
Line: Tracks how bushy plant becomes

How to Read It

Upward Slope: Plant spreading wider ✅

• Bushing out
• More foliage density
• Filling out space

Comparing Height vs Width:

• Both increasing = Balanced growth (ideal)
• Width >> Height = Bushy plant (compact growers)
• Height >> Width = Leggy plant (may need more light)

Best For

• Spreading plants (Pothos, Philodendron, Ferns)
• Bush-type plants (Prayer Plants, Calathea)
• Space planning (will it fit the spot?)

Leaf Count Chart

Line Graph showing leaf production

What It Shows

X-Axis: Timeline
Y-Axis: Number of leaves
Line: Tracks leaf gain/loss over time

How to Read It

Upward Slope: Producing new leaves ✅

• Healthy growth
• Photosynthesis capacity increasing

Flat Line: Stable leaf count

• Mature plant maintaining
• Dormancy period

Downward Slope: Losing leaves ⚠️

• Check notes: Did you prune?
• Natural leaf drop (lower old leaves)?
• Or health issue (overwatering, pests)?

Spikes Up Then Down:

• Natural cycle: New leaves grow, old leaves drop
• Net change matters (if stable, plant is healthy)

Best For

• Small-medium plants (10-100 leaves)
• Collectible varieties where leaf count matters
• Health indicator (consistent production = thriving)

Combined View

Multi-Metric Chart with all measurements

What It Shows

Multiple Metrics: View all growth data together

• Height (cm)
• Width (cm)
• Leaf count

Color-Coded Lines:

• 🟢 Green = Height
• 🔵 Blue = Width
• 🟠 Orange = Leaf count

How to Read It

Look for Correlations:

• Height + Leaf count both up = Healthy vertical growth
• Width + Leaf count up, height flat = Bushing out nicely
• Height up, leaf count down = Leggy growth (needs more light!)

Identify Patterns:

• Do all metrics spike together? (Growth spurt after fertilizing?)
• Does one metric lag? (Width slow but height fast = needs support)

Best For

• Comprehensive overview
• Identifying growth patterns
• Comparing multiple metrics at once
• Advanced analysis

Growth Rate Calculations

Automatic Metrics

Growth Per Month

Average Monthly Change:

• Calculated from all records
• Example: "Height: +4.2 cm/month"
• Displayed below chart

How It's Calculated:

Total Growth ÷ Total Months = Avg Growth/Month
(60cm - 30cm) ÷ 12 months = 2.5 cm/month

Benefit: Know your plant's typical growth speed

Growth Per Year

Annual Growth Rate:

• Example: "Height: +50 cm/year"
• Useful for long-term planning

Extrapolation:

• Based on current rate
• "At this rate, plant will reach 100cm in 2.3 years"

Caution: Assumes consistent conditions (care, season, health)

Seasonal Variations

Growth Rate by Season:

Chart can overlay seasonal data:

• Spring (Mar-May): +6 cm/month 🌱 (fastest!)
• Summer (Jun-Aug): +4 cm/month ☀️
• Fall (Sep-Nov): +1 cm/month 🍂
• Winter (Dec-Feb): +0.2 cm/month ❄️ (dormant)

Color-Coded Bands (optional overlay):

• Light green = Growing season (faster)
• Light blue = Dormancy (slower)

Insight: "Your plant grows 30x faster in spring than winter!"

Acceleration/Deceleration

Trend Line Curvature:

Accelerating Growth (Curve upward 📈):

• Growth rate increasing over time
• Example: Young plant maturing, care improvements

Decelerating Growth (Curve flattening 📉):

• Growth rate slowing
• Example: Approaching mature size, seasonal dormancy

Linear Growth (Straight line):

• Consistent growth rate (ideal for tracking!)

💡 Tips & Tricks

Track Consistently

Regular Measurements:

• Measure at same time (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly)
• Use same method each time
• Record even if no visible change

Benefit: More accurate charts and trends

Review Seasonal Patterns

Growth Varies by Season:

• Spring/Summer: Faster growth (active season)
• Fall/Winter: Slower or dormant

Tip: Don't worry if charts flatten in winter - it's natural!

Correlate with Diary

Link Growth to Care:

• Check diary entries around growth spurts
• Did you fertilize? Repot? Move location?
• Learn what works for your plants

Time: 5 minutes weekly
Benefit: Stay proactive, optimize care routine

❓ Common Questions

Q: Why is my chart empty or showing "Not enough data"?

A: Charts require 2+ measurements (need start and end point). Record at least twice to see chart.

Q: My chart shows a straight vertical line. What's wrong?

A: Both measurements recorded on same date (or very close). Charts work best with measurements spread over time (weeks/months apart).

Q: How do I remove incorrect measurements from the chart?

A: Edit or delete the incorrect record:

1. Growth Tracking → Records Table
2. Find record → "Edit" or "Delete"
3. Chart updates automatically

🔗 Related Topics

Essential Reading

• Recording Growth - How to measure accurately
• Growth Analysis - Interpret patterns and trends

Related Features

• Growth Tab - Access charts interface
• Diary Tab - Correlate care with growth
• Recording Growth - How to measure accurately

Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Document Version: 2.0 (Modular Structure)