By PFC

Here at Rick’s Garden Center, we are unfortunately familiar with AI. From misidentifying plant species via plant identification apps to recommending “home remedies” to treat numerous plant diseases that cause more harm than good, we’re familiar with AI wreaking havoc for Colorado gardeners. In fact, it’s become such a nuisance that we’ve already written an article about it this year. If you’d like to check it out, it’s here: click here!

Because our perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, and houseplants are available for sale, our biggest issue with AI stems from requests for “non-existent” plants. Gardners bring in a picture of a plant that looks too good to be true and want it for their gardens. Examples include plants with unreal foliage, such as perfectly spiraled leaves, perfectly striped, or rainbow-colored flesh instead of the standard green. We hate to break it to you, but that plant you provided a picture of is a computer-generated image, an AI-created plant! And don’t trust purchasing seeds for these generated plants, despite major retail stores listing them for sale; these are typically invasive plant species seeds or duds. Thus, we’d like to provide some pictures of AI plants commonly requested in comparison to the real deal.

Rainbow Hosta

A very popular plant that does not exist! AI-generated pictures display several “types” of rainbow hosta, some quite literally rainbow, whilst others have black or red variegated leaves. A majority of these pictures are fake, all computer-generated. An actual hosta will never contain color multitudes, at best, classic white or dark green variegation. A good example of a real hosta considered to be “rainbow” is the “Rainbow’s End,” which we often don’t carry due to popularity. A beautiful and colorful hosta we carry (and one which likewise exists) would be hosta “Patriot.”

Dwarf Lotus

A bit of a trick question plant, as dwarf lotus does exist. The flowers are pale pink or white, and there are several different varieties. However, AI tends to replicate real pictures of dwarf lotus flowers and twist them into fantastical shapes or change colors beyond their usual range, like neon blue*, purple, orange, bright red, and other neon colors. The pink featured in the example image has been artificially saturated, giving the lotus a bright appearance. Plus, if you look closely, you can see “whisp” around the flowers and leaves of the AI lotus. Real lotus leaves and flowers lack such decorative anatomy. We don’t sell lotus rhizomes, but we do sell water hyacinth and other pond plants!

Butterfly Lily

You’ve never seen a lily like this, and that’s because it’s not real. Another common AI indicator is if a plant looks too similar to another animal, object, or other plant. In this case, it’s a butterfly, but things like serpents, elephants, and tigers are common victims of becoming AI plant chimeras. Begonia and orchids are the typical flower victims. Again, there are always weird exceptions, such as the Monkey-Face Orchid (click here to see). If you’re unsure whether a flower is real, we recommend reaching out to Colorado State University Extension for identification. We’ll provide a link to their Q&A page: click here!

In terms of real plants that are visually as stunning, we carry a variety of day lilies in various colors and sizes!

Black Rose

Roses, mentioned in the May 2026 newsletter, are a big focus for our nursery this year. We carry a variety of colors, from red to purple. Black roses, however, are something you’ll never see at Rick’s Garden Center. Black roses don’t naturally occur,as black rose plants are either deep red or purple, or, when sold in a grocery store setting, the flowers are dyed black. AI loves to promote real black rose shrubs as something that can be purchased. If the black appears too deep in tone, it’s probably not real. Likewise, be suspicious of variegated black roses, as those don’t exist either.

Our red roses aren’t dark enough to be considered “black,” but we carry two red rose varieties: “Ramblin’ Red” climbing rose and “Kashmir Red” shrub roses. A “purple” rose we carry is “Lotty’s Love.”

AI shouldn’t be trusted when it comes to gardening. Instead of relying on fantastically generated images for unique species, we recommend exploring plant-oriented locations like the Denver Botanical Garden or the local Xeric Garden! That way, you can identify which plant varieties you want, study their appearance in a garden setting, and then purchase your desired varieties through our nursery. And of course, we are always happy to help identify plants or refer you to Colorado State Extension for help. Don’t go to places like Etsy or Walmart for your exotic plants; rely on experts who are passionate about gardening and not just your wallet. Keep AI out of gardens!

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*There is a species of lotus called the Egyptian Blue lotus. Learn more about them here: click me!

Sources For Images:

• Amazon, and Wivolibe Store. AI Rainbow Hosta, www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Shaped-Planting-Colorful-Outdoor/dp/B0GC6R3HSJ. Accessed 31 May 2026.
• Etsy. Dwarf Water Lily. Accessed 4 June 2026.
• Aquatic Plants Nursery. Nelumbo – Lotus Flowers Selected by Us, www.aquaticplants.org/p/nelumbo-lotus-flowers-selected-by-us/. Accessed 31 May 2026.
• Etsy. Butterfly Lily Orchid. Accessed 4 June 2026.
• Etsy. Butterfly Begonia. Accessed 4 June 2026.
• Etsy. Luna Noire Black Rose. Accessed 4 June 2026.

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