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Planted vs Botany (2026): plant lovers have two very different board games to choose from. Planted, from Buffalo Games and designer Phil Walker-Harding, is a quick card-drafting game about raising houseplants. Botany is a longer Victorian adventure where you travel the world as a plant hunter chasing the Queen’s Prize. Both are beautiful. Here is which belongs in your collection.
Our pick for most plant lovers: Planted
Planted plays 2 to 5 in 20 to 30 minutes with 42 real houseplant varieties, from fiddle leaf figs to monsteras. It costs about $30.
Price band: $20–$30 (about $30) · Check today’s price on Amazon
Both plant games in brief
One quick and cozy, one a longer expedition.
Planted vs Botany at a glance
| Planted | Botany | |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 2 to 5 | 1 to 5 |
| Length | 20 to 30 minutes | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Ages | 10 and up | 8 and up |
| Theme | Your own houseplant collection | Plant hunting around the globe |
| Core idea | Draft cards and care for plants | Travel, collect specimens and win prestige |
| Solo mode | No | Yes |
How Planted plays
In Planted, players pick cards each round to build up a home full of houseplants. Each plant needs resources such as water and plant food before it grows, and every species has its own needs. Fully grown plants score, and some reward combinations with other plants or items in your home.
It is fast and friendly, much like Phil Walker-Harding’s other hits. If you love quick card picking, see our best games like Sushi Go.
How Botany plays
In Botany you play a plant hunter in the Victorian era, traveling the world in search of fame, fortune and the Queen’s Prize. Characters and events are based on real historical occurrences, and the components are designed to feel like old books and maps. Rules are streamlined, so a group can start quickly even though games run longer.
It suits players who want a theme to sink into and a game that feels like a journey rather than a quick puzzle.
Components and table presence
Both games lean hard into their art. Planted fills the table with bright illustrations of real houseplants, from a fiddle leaf fig to a monstera, which makes it fun for plant owners to spot their own favorites. Botany aims for an antique look, with components and illustrations designed to feel like Victorian books and maps. If the gift is partly about the look on a shelf, Botany is the showpiece; if it is about a cheerful game night, Planted wins.
Planted or Botany for two players?
Planted plays two to five and stays quick with two, which makes it an easy weeknight game for couples. Botany also works with two and adds a solo option, but a two-player game is still a longer sit-down session, so it suits a weekend afternoon.
Who will love each one
| If they love… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Houseplants and cozy games | Planted | Real plant varieties and a short, bright game |
| History and exploration | Botany | Victorian plant hunting based on real events |
| Playing alone | Botany | It includes solo play |
| Big family gatherings | Planted | Up to five players in about half an hour |
Planted or Botany: which is easier to learn?
Planted. Drafting is intuitive, turns are simultaneous and a first game wraps up in half an hour. Botany is still simple for its length, but there is more to track over a longer session.
Which is better as a gift?
Planted for a houseplant owner who loves cozy games, and Botany for someone who enjoys history, maps and exploration. Botany is also the better choice for a solo player.
Is either good for kids?
Botany is rated for ages 8 and up but runs long; Planted is rated 10 and up but is quick. For a family with kids around ten, Planted is the easier sell.
Planted and Botany price and value
Planted (about $30) is the more affordable game and a natural stocking stuffer for a plant lover. Botany (about $60) costs more but gives a longer experience and solo play. Both make thoughtful gifts when paired with a small potted plant or a botanical print.
Planted vs Botany: our verdict
- Buy Planted for a quick, colorful game that works for families and casual groups.
- Buy Botany for a longer, story-rich adventure with a solo option.
- Gift tip: pair Planted with a small real houseplant for a memorable present.
For more nature-themed ideas, see the best game gifts for nature lovers and our Cascadia rules guide.
Planted vs Botany FAQ
Who designed Planted?
Phil Walker-Harding, who also designed Sushi Go!, Imhotep and Bärenpark.
Can you play Botany solo?
Yes. Botany supports one to five players.
Is Planted good for kids?
It is rated for ages 10 and up and is a great family pick for that age.
