HortusFox

HortusFox is an open-source, self-hosted plant management system designed to organize plant collections and care schedules. The application employs a per-location approach, which means every plant is assigned to a specific location to ensure organized tracking across different rooms, gardens, or greenhouses. It functions as a digital workspace where users can maintain detailed records of their botanical assets and coordinate maintenance activities.

Users deploy the software as a web application on their own server, with installation options including Docker Compose, a manual PHP setup, or an integrated installer. The system is designed for both individual use and collaborative environments, allowing multiple people to manage a shared collection. It provides a centralized interface for tracking plant growth, managing care routines, and journaling horticultural observations over time.

Key features

• Plant management with attributes, photos, and notes
• Custom location tracking for plant organization
• Task system for care schedules and reminders
• Inventory system for tracking supplies
• Integrated calendar and history tracking
• Collaborative group chat for multiple users
• REST API for third-party software integration
• QR code generation and plant identification
• Customizable themes for workspace personalization

The software architecture includes an admin dashboard for managing environment settings, users, and locations. It integrates a weather feature to assist with plant care decisions and a profile management system for individual user preferences. For developers, the integrated REST API provides a way to build third-party custom software or automate data entry for various horticultural scenarios. The system also supports database backups to ensure the safety of plant journals and inventory logs.

HortusFox is a comprehensive tool for individuals and teams seeking a self-hosted solution for horticulture tracking and asset inventory.