Growth Charts - Visualize Progress
Explore interactive growth charts, compare time periods, understand growth rates, and export visualizations for your plant collection.
🎯 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:
- Plant Details → Growth Tracking tab
- Charts section appears (if you have 2+ records)
- View your plant's progress over time
- 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:
- Growth Tracking → Records Table
- Find record → "Edit" or "Delete"
- 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)