“Perhaps you could arrange your plants like this,” my friend’s message read, accompanied by an image of white plant pots seemingly hovering in mid-air before a large, sunlit window. As someone new to plant collecting, I recognize the need to organize my expanding collection. However, the setup shown in the photo was not practical—those plants were generated by AI and were not real.
Even at an early stage in my plant journey, I could spot flaws in the image. For starters, plants cannot defy gravity, and more critically, positioning them in direct sunlight like that would scorch their leaves. This incident marked my initial encounter with AI-generated plant images shared by well-intentioned individuals who mistakenly believe they are authentic. However, this trend has become a significant concern in both online and offline plant enthusiast communities.
Online retailers have long misled unsuspecting consumers, but the emergence of stores employing AI-generated images of fictitious, often vivid plants to deceive buyers into purchasing non-existent seeds is alarmingly prevalent. This issue has been highlighted in various plant-focused blogs, podcasts, and social media communities over the past three years.
One notable example is the advertisement for pink pastel monstera seeds, which cannot exist due to the lack of pink pigmentation genes in that species. Such scams are not uncommon, with even Google’s AI assistant incorrectly affirming its existence. Similarly, AI-generated images of bright red and blue hostas are advertised as viable seeds, although the genetic traits required for those colors do not exist. Hostas cultivated from seeds tend to inherit unpredictable characteristics from their parent plants, further complicating the matter.
“During spring, we frequently receive inquiries about AI-generated plants,” states Casey Schmidt Ahl, engagement manager at Colonial Gardens in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She has authored a blog post to help plant owners identify AI plant scams online. Ahl remarks, “We always emphasize that these images are AI-generated—or at least significantly altered—and advise customers to exercise caution, as simply stating that we don’t carry the item usually leads them to seek it online.”
Ahl recounts a specific instance where a customer inquired about a black bleeding heart plant. While she offered bleeding hearts in white and pink, Ahl searched for the black version online. The indicators of a possible scam were evident—only one image existed across multiple websites, and there was scant information regarding the plant’s growth or variety.
In addition to misleading images, plant care misinformation perpetuated by AI chatbots and applications is prevalent, Ahl notes. Plant care has historically been influenced by folklore and pseudoscience, such as using honey on leaf cuttings to promote root growth. Now, AI contributes to a larger misinformation ecosystem that includes plant influencers who often fail to cite sources and plant identification apps. Ahl stresses that when she writes for the Colonial Gardens blog, she refers to scholarly articles and cultivation guides, in contrast to AI-based platforms like ChatGPT, which lack transparency about their sources.
“We always prioritize supporting our advice with scientific evidence,” Ahl explains, noting that garden centers are already at a disadvantage in engaging clients due to the rapid virality of plant influencers on social media, who seldom reference scientific studies. She views AI-generated misinformation as diminishing personal interactions in the plant community. “It’s further distancing us from reality, our connection to nature, and our local community.”
Ahl’s concerns are echoed by many within plant communities on Reddit, where AI-generated images are typically banned, and there is considerable backlash against AI-driven plant care advice. Community members argue that such advice often overlooks personal circumstances, such as the plant owner’s location, level of experience, and the specific gardening supplies available. More critically, AI-generated content undermines the communal aspect that enthusiasts seek in these forums.
“Most individuals desire to form connections based on shared experiences within a community; otherwise, they would simply search online for answers,” explains a Reddit user known as Caring_Cactus, who moderates multiple plant-related subreddits. Moderators face challenges with AI-generated content, which is often posted by bots in large quantities, resulting in generic and inaccurate responses. “Many perceive it as lazy and insincere, driven by ulterior motives.”
Such material is said to inhibit “meaningful engagement” since it lacks a basis in reality, Caring_Cactus continues. “They attempt to attract attention with low-quality content, ultimately reducing opportunities for genuine connection while wasting users’ time when they seek socialization online.”
Moreover, the issue extends beyond community engagement. The prevalence of AI-generated plant images and care tips may diminish the appreciation for the actual growth and development of real plants. Ahl notes, “People garden for various reasons, including supporting local wildlife and pollinators or growing their own produce. These AI creations do not aim to engage individuals with these broader objectives.” Instead, they often seek to stimulate curiosity in a superficial manner or trick users into purchasing seeds for fictional blue sunflowers.
Furthermore, the reliance on AI tools for identifying plant issues through images undermines the core principles of gardening. “If individuals always opt to snap a picture with an AI app instead of closely examining their plants and ensuring proper care or consulting an expert, they miss out on the mindfulness and deeper connection that comes with plant care,” Ahl remarks.
Furthermore, AI-generated creations might lead to a perception that extraordinary real plants seem inauthentic. For instance, Ahl highlights the introduction of the firefly petunia, a petunia that glows in the dark, noting it seems almost unreal. The surge of AI-generated images has sparked existential doubts about reality itself and is further distancing us from our connection to nature. “This definitely detracts from the awe that plants inspire, as there are numerous existing varieties that are remarkable without needing to feature cosmic designs on their petals.”
