rated – or at least heavily photoshopped – image, and that they need to be really careful because we no that if we just say we don’t have it, they are more likely to just go online and buy it.”
Ahl recounted a recent incident where a customer inquired about a black bleeding heart plant. Unable to find the variety in stock, she searched online and immediately recognized the red flags: a single image across multiple websites and a lack of detailed information about the plant’s growth habits.
Misinformation Blooms in the Digital Garden
The problem extends beyond fraudulent seed sales. AI chatbots and apps are also spreading inaccurate plant care information, compounding the issue.While plant care has historically been influenced by folklore and unverified practices – like using honey to promote root growth or cinnamon to heal wounds – AI introduces a new layer of uncertainty. Ahl notes that it’s ofen unclear where these AI-powered bots are sourcing their advice.
“It’s always important for us to be able to ground our advice in science,” Ahl emphasizes,adding that garden centers are struggling to compete with the rapid spread of information from social media plant influencers who often lack scientific backing. This misinformation ecosystem discourages plant owners from seeking expert advice. “It’s disconnecting us further from reality, relationships with nature, and also our community.”
Community Backlash and the Fight for Authenticity
The sentiment is shared within online plant communities. Many Reddit forums have banned AI-generated images, and there’s widespread skepticism towards AI-generated care advice, which is frequently enough deemed inaccurate and lacking nuance. Plant care is inherently variable, dependent on factors like geographic location, experience level, and available resources.
“Most people are looking to socially connect based on real lived experiences, in a community with others like you, otherwise it would be easier to simply Google a question for answers,” explains Caring_Cactus, a moderator of four plant-related subreddits, in a written interview. Moderators also battle a flood of automated, low-quality content generated by bots, which often spreads false information and prioritizes attention-seeking over genuine engagement. “They’re trying to farm attention with low quality content, and it creates less opportunities for real connection by wasting people’s precious time when they want to socialize online.”
The Existential Threat to the Joy of Gardening
The implications of AI-generated plants extend beyond financial scams and inaccurate advice. There’s a concern that these fabricated images and shortcuts diminish the wonder and fulfillment of nurturing real plants. “There’s a lot of different reasons that people garden, including supporting wildlife and pollinators with native plants or growing their own food, and these AI images and scams are not really interested in connecting you with a broader goal,” Ahl says. Instead, they offer a fleeting “curiosity dopamine sort of response,” or attempt to sell seeds for impossible varieties like blue sunflowers.
Even the use of AI-powered plant identification apps can be detrimental, offering a shortcut that bypasses the mindful observation and learning that are central to the hobby. “If rather of looking at your plants and making sure that they’re watered correctly or reaching out to an expert, you always just take a picture with your AI app and have it tell you what’s wrong, you are letting AI do the thinking for you and you’re not doing the full connection and the mindfulness of having plants,” Ahl adds.
The proliferation of AI-generated imagery even risks devaluing the beauty of real plants. With the debut of varieties like the firefly petunia – a glow-in-the-dark flower that seems almost too good to be true – the line between reality and fabrication is becoming increasingly blurred. “It definitely draws away from the majesty of plants because there are certainly lots of existing varieties that are amazing without having a galaxy pattern on their petals.”
Beyond the Bloom: The Broader Impact of AI Misinformation
The rise of AI-generated content presents a complex challenge. It’s not just the financial scams or the inaccurate plant care advice that are concerning; it’s the erosion of trust and the potential to disconnect people from the genuine joys of gardening and the natural world. As we’ve seen, the ease with which AI can create compelling but false information is a significant threat [[1]]. This threat extends beyond the immediate realm of plant sales.
The core of the problem lies in the capacity of AI to generate convincing but fabricated content. AI can produce realistic images, videos, audio, and text, making it hard to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not [[3]]. AI-generated misinformation is quickly becoming ubiquitous.
Consider the implications for the future of gardening and how people learn about plants. The emphasis on the visual, and the ease of generating images, may lead to a devaluation of verifiable knowledge.If people are constantly bombarded with images of “perfect” plants that don’t exist, alongside information that is unscientific and/or plainly untrue, the standard of plant knowledge may fall dramatically.
The Ripple Effect: Impacts on Plant Communities
The impact of this trend extends beyond individual gardeners. Reliable information is critical for supporting authentic plant communities. Misinformation can undermine these networks. As Caring_Cactus from the reddit plant communities observed, AI-generated content can also detract from the sense of community. The spread of low-quality content can impede the meaningful discussions that connect individuals with shared passions, and instead waste their time [[3]].
Spotting the Fakes: Practical Tips
Fortunately, ther are ways to protect yourself and your garden from misinformation. Here are some practical steps:
- Question the Source: Always consider the source of any information. Is it from a reputable website, a known expert, or a credible organization?
- Look Beyond the Image: Do a reverse image search to see if the image appears on multiple websites. If so, be cautious.
- Be Skeptical of “Too Good to Be True”: If a plant variety seems exceptionally rare or offers impossible features (like a glow-in-the-dark flower), it might be a fabrication.
- Cross-Reference Information: Compare the advice or description with information from multiple trusted sources before making any decisions.
- Trust Your intuition: If something feels off,it probably is.
Is it possible to know if a plant image is AI-generated? Yes, by paying close attention to visual cues. Look for unrealistic colors, impossible growth patterns, and dramatic lighting.
How can you protect yourself from fake plant care advice? Always cross-reference information to verify the advice before applying it to your plants.Seek advice from garden centers or plant experts.
The Future of Truth in the Garden
As AI technology advances, the challenge of distinguishing between real and fake will only intensify. The ongoing battle for authenticity requires vigilance, skepticism, and a commitment to reliable information sources. By staying informed and making informed decisions,gardeners can ensure that their connection to the natural world remains rooted in reality and nurtured by real experiences. The fight for authenticity is not merely about plants; it’s about protecting the joy of gardening and the bonds cultivated within the community.
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