Planting F/X
Planting F/X is landscape design software for landscape architects and other design professionals, with tools for planting plans and terrain modeling across …
What Planting F/X is
Planting F/X is landscape design software for landscape architects and other design professionals, with tools for planting plans and terrain modeling across CAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Rhino. Its plant database contains more than 55,000 entries, with photos, descriptions, and customizable tags. Placement tools calculate spacing according to the chosen layout method, and the software automates plant labels, schedules, and error checks. The 3D Connection transfers designs between CAD and SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit; importing and exporting through it require Cloud Data. Cloud Data stores project information, templates, and preference sets, while digital design files stay in the user's chosen storage. A Planting F/X license includes the plugins and all Design F/X and Detail F/X tools, plus a floating license. The plan costs $695 a year, billed annually, and a free 15-day trial is available. Windows is required for CAD, Revit, or Rhino; Mac users can run Windows through software such as Parallels. It is not compatible with AutoCAD LT or AutoCAD for Mac.
Good
- Database includes more than 55,000 plants.
- Placement tools calculate spacing by layout method.
- Automates labels, schedules, and error checking.
- Subscription includes phone and email support.
Watch out
- Costs $695 a year, billed annually.
- No free plan; trial lasts 15 days.
- Does not support AutoCAD LT or AutoCAD for Mac.
- Import and export through 3D Connection require Cloud Data.
Who it suits
It suits landscape architects and design professionals who create planting plans and work with CAD, Revit, SketchUp, or Rhino. Mac users need virtual Windows software for supported workflows.
Verdict
Planting F/X combines plant data, placement, and plan documentation tools for landscape workflows. Check its Windows and AutoCAD requirements, and the annual price, before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From Planting F/X's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Planting F/X | $695 a year | Planting F/X for CAD, Revit, Rhino, and SketchUp · All Design F/X tools · Detail F/X tools · Floating license · Billed annually |
The facts
Each one read from Planting F/X's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 3D connection
- The 3D Connection transfers designs between CAD and SketchUp, Rhino, or Revit; import and export require Cloud Data.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Audience and scale
- Land F/X describes its software as serving landscape architects and other design professionals and says it is used by more than 2,000 firms worldwide.checked 30 Sep 2026
- CAD compatibility
- Land F/X requires a supported AutoCAD-based platform and is not compatible with AutoCAD LT or AutoCAD for Mac.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Cloud data
- Cloud Data stores Land F/X project data, templates, and preference sets; users’ digital design files remain in their chosen storage location.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Cloud security
- Land F/X says Cloud Data traffic uses SSL and that it does not receive users’ DWG files or visual representations.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Local data limit
- Land F/X deprecated multi-user Local Data (MySQL) installations as of May 2026.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Operating system
- Planting F/X requires Windows versions of CAD, Revit, or Rhino; Mac users can use virtual Windows software such as Parallels.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Planting F/X is a landscape design plugin for landscape architects that provides tools for CAD, SketchUp, and Revit.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Schedules and checking
- The product automates plant labeling, schedules, and error checking.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The subscription includes technical support by phone and email, with phone hours listed as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Updates and training
- The subscription includes weekly updates, training resources, live webinars, short Power Tip videos, and getting-started guides.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- 3D platforms
- A Planting F/X license includes access to plugins for CAD, Revit, SketchUp, and Rhino.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2004checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- San Luis Obispo, California, United Stateschecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Plant library
- The product page says users can choose from a database of more than 55,000 plants, with photos, descriptions, and customizable tags.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Plant placement
- Its placement tools calculate spacing based on the selected layout method.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Trial
- Land F/X offers a free 15-day Planting F/X trial.checked 30 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Planting F/X
- 1

Planner 5D
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.4From $4.99 a month - 2
iScape
Free planAndroidiOSWebmacOS8.2Free plan - 3
Terragen
Free planAPILinuxmacOSWindows7.6From $96 a year - 4

World Machine
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows7.6$119 one-time - 5
Garden Sketchbook
Free planWeb7.4From $39 a year - 6

AIGardenPlanner
Free planWeb7.3Free plan
