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Editorial Policy and Standards

Last updated: September 3, 2026

1. Our Mission and Editorial Purpose

Botan exists to make plant care accessible, accurate, and enjoyable for everyone, from first-time plant owners to experienced gardeners. Our mission is to provide species-specific, science-backed plant care information that helps people grow healthier plants and make confident decisions.

Every piece of content we publish is guided by one core principle: accuracy over engagement. We do not publish tips, hacks, or advice that sounds appealing but lacks botanical or horticultural evidence.

Our content covers:

  • Plant care guides (watering, light, soil, temperature, humidity, fertilization, pruning, propagation)
  • Plant identification guides
  • Pest and disease diagnostics
  • Seasonal care adjustments
  • Plant toxicity and safety information
  • Blog and news articles

2. Who Creates Our Content

Content Authors: Botanists and Biologists

We engage plant care experts, horticulturists, and botanists to guide, review, and verify our plant care content. Our contributors include:

  • Certified horticulturists and Master Gardeners
  • Botanists and plant biologists
  • Experienced plant care writers with verifiable subject-matter expertise
  • Landscape designers and nursery professionals

We only collaborate with authors who demonstrate strong knowledge of their subject area. 

Content Editor: Certified Linguist and Philologist

We review all content before publication. Our highly qualified specialist is responsible for:

  • Verifying that claims are supported by credible sources
  • Ensuring consistency with our species-level accuracy standards
  • Checking that safety-critical information (toxicity, pest treatments) is correct and clearly communicated
  • Reviewing content for accuracy, tone, and completeness
  • Checking the content for accuracy and grammar

Our editor has 10+ years of experience and high expertise in the plant niche.

3. AI-Assisted Content Policy

Our Approach to AI

We believe AI can be a powerful tool for organizing, drafting, and structuring horticultural information, but it cannot replace human expertise, editorial judgment, or botanical accuracy verification.

AI is used to:

  • Draft initial versions of plant care sections
  • Organize and format information consistently
  • Generate structured data fields based on species-level knowledge

AI is never used to:

  • Invent botanical facts, statistics, or scientific claims
  • Replace expert review of safety-critical content (toxicity, pest treatments, edibility)
  • Publish content without human editorial review

4. Botanical Accuracy Standards

Species-Level Specificity

All care information on Botan is written at the species level, not the genus level. We do not apply care guidelines from one species to another without verification. For example, care requirements for Monstera deliciosa are not assumed to apply to Monstera adansonii without independent confirmation.

Reliable Horticultural Data

Care parameters are based on established horticultural literature, university extension resources, and recognized botanical databases. We do not publish estimated or invented numerical ranges.

5. Source and Citation Standards

Primary Sources

Botan's content is informed by the following categories of authoritative sources:

Botanical and Horticultural Databases

University Extension Services

Toxicology and Safety

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Literature

Recognized Reference Works

  • Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs (Michael Dirr)
  • The Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
  • Hortus Third (Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium)

Citation Practice

Where specific claims are based on peer-reviewed research or authoritative databases, Botan includes source citations within the article. We link to primary sources wherever possible rather than secondary summaries.

We do not cite:

  • Anonymous blog posts or social media content as factual sources
  • Commercial product websites as evidence of plant care claims
  • AI-generated content from other platforms as a source

6. Toxicity and Safety Information Policy

Toxicity information is among the most safety-critical content we publish. Errors in this area can cause real harm to people, children, and pets. We apply enhanced editorial review and fact-checking procedures to all toxicity-related content.

Disclaimer: While we conduct additional editorial review of plant toxicity information for humans, cats, and dogs, we encourage you to independently verify whether a plant may be harmful to your specific pet before bringing it into your home. The term "Pet" includes a wide variety of species, from birds and reptiles to small mammals and other exotic animals, and toxicity information is not available for every species. Because individual animals may respond differently, you are ultimately responsible for determining whether a plant is safe for your particular pet.

Classification Standards

Botan uses the following toxicity classifications:

  • Toxic to pets — documented harmful effects in cats, dogs, or other companion animals
  • Toxic to humans — documented harmful effects upon ingestion or skin/eye contact
  • Toxic to pets and humans — documented harmful effects for both
  • Non-toxic — widely recognized as safe with no documented toxicity
  • Unknown — insufficient or conflicting reliable data

Rules for Toxicity Classification

  • Toxicity is determined at the species level only. We do not infer toxicity from genus or family membership.
  • If only certain plant parts are toxic (leaves, sap, seeds, berries, roots), the plant is still classified as toxic if contact or ingestion of those parts may cause harm.
  • We do not classify a plant as non-toxic unless there is positive evidence of safety, not merely an absence of documented cases.
  • When toxicity data is conflicting or unclear, we return the classification Unknown rather than guessing.
  • We do not provide treatment instructions for poisoning. If poisoning is suspected, contact your local poison control center, seek emergency medical care, or contact a licensed veterinarian immediately, depending on whether a person or an animal has been exposed.

Safety Disclaimer

Botan's toxicity information is provided for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice. In any case of suspected poisoning, users should contact:

  • US Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435
  • Emergency services: 911 or local equivalent

7. Expert Review Process

Plant Care Review Board

Botan's most important plant care content is reviewed by a group of horticulturists, botanists, and plant care professionals.

They review content for botanical accuracy, practical horticultural correctness, and alignment with current best practices. Articles reviewed by them display a review badge with the reviewer's name.

Fact-Checking Process

In addition to expert review, Botan does fact-checking for all published content. Before publishing, we are tasked with:

  • Verifying all specific claims (e.g., temperature ranges, pH values, USDA zones, toxicity status) against primary sources
  • Confirming that cited studies or databases support the stated information
  • Flagging any claims that cannot be verified for editorial review

Articles that have passed fact-checking display a fact-check badge.

8. Content Update and Maintenance Policy

Update Transparency

We periodically review our content library to ensure articles remain accurate, relevant, and aligned with the latest available information. When an article has been substantially updated, a "Last Updated" label is displayed to indicate that the content has been reviewed and refreshed. 

Outdated Information Policy

We do not allow outdated or superseded information to remain published without correction. If a piece of content cannot be updated to meet current accuracy standards, it is removed from publication.

9. Prohibited Content

The following types of content are never published on Botan, regardless of how widely they circulate online:

Fabricated or Estimated Data

  • Invented temperature ranges, pH values, or hardiness zones
  • Made-up statistics about plant growth rates or lifespan
  • Unverified claims about a plant's air-purifying capacity

Dangerous Advice

For example, we DO NOT:

  • Recommend ingestion or topical use of plants without clear safety evidence
  • Suggest home treatments for plant poisoning in humans or animals
  • Advise the use of pesticides or chemicals in ways that contradict label instructions or safety guidelines

Misleading Commercial Content

  • Care recommendations influenced by product sponsorships
  • Presenting sponsored product mentions as independent editorial recommendations without disclosure

10. Measurement and Regional Standards

Dual Measurement Format

Botan serves a global audience. All measurements are provided in both imperial and metric units:

  • Temperature: Fahrenheit first, Celsius in parentheses — e.g., 65-75°F (18-24°C)
  • Length/depth: inches first, centimeters in parentheses — e.g., 1-2 inches (3-5 cm)
  • Volume: fluid ounces / cups alongside milliliters / liters where relevant

USDA Hardiness Zones

Botan uses USDA Hardiness Zones as the primary zone reference for cold hardiness. Where relevant for international audiences, we note approximate equivalents in the RHS Hardiness Rating system (UK) or general climate descriptions.

Regional Growing Conditions

We recognize that plant care advice varies significantly by climate, geography, and season. Where advice differs meaningfully between indoor and outdoor cultivation, or between temperate and tropical climates, we address both contexts explicitly. We do not assume all readers grow plants in the same conditions.

11. Affiliate and Commercial Disclosure

Independence of Editorial Content

Botan's editorial content, including all plant care guides, identification articles, and care recommendations, is created independently of commercial relationships. Product recommendations, if any, are based on horticultural merit and practical usefulness, not commercial arrangements.

Any content that is sponsored by or created in partnership with a commercial entity is clearly labeled as "Sponsored" or "Partnered Content." Sponsored content is held to the same accuracy standards as editorial content and is never presented as independent editorial opinion without disclosure.

12. Corrections and Feedback Policy

How We Handle Errors

We take accuracy seriously. If you find an error in our content — whether a factual mistake, an outdated claim, or a misclassified toxicity status — we want to know.

To report an error, contact us:

Our editorial team reviews all correction requests within 5 business days. If a correction is warranted:

  • The article is updated promptly
  • A correction note is added to the article, indicating what was changed and when
  • For significant errors (especially toxicity or safety-related), the correction is prioritized for same-day review

What We Correct

We correct:

  • Factual inaccuracies (wrong temperature ranges, incorrect pH values, misidentified species)
  • Outdated information that has been superseded by new research
  • Toxicity misclassifications
  • Broken or incorrect source citations

We do not alter content based on personal preference, commercial pressure, or disagreement with accurate information.

What We Do Not Correct

We do not correct:

  • Personal preference or subjective disagreement with accurate, well-sourced information
  • Requests from commercial partners, advertisers, or sponsors to alter editorial content in their favor
  • Anecdotal experience that contradicts established horticultural or botanical evidence
  • Pressure to soften, remove, or reframe accurate toxicity classifications
  • Marketing requests that would compromise the factual integrity of an article
  • Stylistic preferences unrelated to accuracy, clarity, or reader safety

If you believe our content contains a genuine factual error, we encourage you to contact us with a specific correction and, where possible, a supporting source. We review every submission seriously and respond to all substantiated correction requests.

13. Inclusivity in Plant Content

Global Perspective

Plants are grown by people in every climate, culture, and living situation. Our content reflects this diversity:

  • We address both indoor and outdoor cultivation, where relevant, rather than assuming all readers grow plants in containers
  • We acknowledge that growing conditions vary by hemisphere, climate zone, and season
  • We do not assume a single "default" growing environment

Accessibility of Language

All Botan content is written in clear, plain English accessible to readers without a botanical background. We define technical terms when they are necessary and avoid jargon for its own sake. Our goal is to make expert-level plant knowledge understandable to everyone.

As Botan grows, we are committed to expanding our content into additional languages. Localized versions will follow the same editorial standards as the English originals: accuracy, source requirements, toxicity classifications, and expert review processes will apply equally across all languages. Translations will be reviewed by a qualified editor fluent in both the target language and the subject matter.

Representation in Plant Care

We recognize that gardening traditions, plant knowledge, and horticultural practices exist across many cultures. We are committed to representing diverse perspectives in plant care and to acknowledging the cultural significance of plants where relevant and appropriate.

14. Contact Us

Website: https://botanapp.com/contact-us

Email: support@botanapp.net