Artificial intelligence applications and challenges

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become prevalent across numerous sectors, including finance and retail. In contrast, many nurseries in Britain have adopted only basic AI functionalities, and have been slow to realise its full potential. Given the emerging challenges within the industry, incorporating advanced AI technologies is increasingly essential rather than merely optional.

In the wider horticultural world, many organisations are using AI in a variety of ways, and this should, given time, trickle down to provide benefits to nursery owners. For example, the Royal Horticultural Society has started a project with the University of Nottingham, to create a deep learning tool that will help build a knowledge bank of cultivated plants for specific purposes. The goal is to make a significant impact on U.K. biodiversity. Meanwhile, Croptimus uses advanced AI and computer vision to detect pests and diseases early, allowing growers to start mitigation before problems worsen. Developed by Tel Aviv-based data science firm Fermata Tech, this technology analyses digital camera data to scout for potential threats. Such solutions are expected to be quickly adopted by edible crop producers, and there are hopes they can be adapted for use in the nursery stock sector too. AI will provide nursery owners with an enhanced technical capability, creating an opportunity to improve quality and yield with less inputs, and there will also be applications for the keen gardener. Generative AI could actually open gardening up to those who don’t have the time — or knowledge — to learn how to maintain their garden or care for plants, hence creating a whole new customer base.

The future of AI in a garden setting was modelled at this year’s Chelsea Garden, where designer Tom Massey created ‘The Avanade Intelligent Garden’, which was equipped with sensors monitoring tree health, including growth, sap flow, soil conditions, air quality and weather patterns. AI analyses this data, spotting trends and predicting future conditions to provide simple, actionable advice. Whilst at an early stage and seemingly futuristic, it is good news for nursery owners as it will make gardening easier, which in turn should increase demand for plants.

Of course, the challenge with using AI to manage crop production in the U.K. nursery stock sector revolves around the nature of the typical nursery: many species are produced in small volumes. AI is much easier to adopt if a nursery is monocropping large volumes of plants. Therefore, AI may have more immediate applications in supply chain and business operations. Automated replenishment systems are crucial for nurseries because they help eliminate the guesswork in restocking, reduce waste that comes from overordering and ensure that fresh products such as live plants are always available without risking spoilage.

By analysing sales trends and inventory levels, automated systems can quickly identify when stock needs to be replenished, and in what quantities, enabling nurseries to forecast demand and keep their customers’ shelves stocked with the right products in the right quantities. The adoption of AI within the office functions of a nursery also enables nursery owners to compare offers from suppliers, develop quotes for customers, analyse databases and prepare price lists, speeding up what could be a laborious and time-consuming process. Nursery owners are also using AI to improve communication with customers. For example, AI can create an excellent virtual assistant on WhatsApp, and make plant catalogues easily accessible to customers.

In an increasingly competitive nursery stock sector that is facing rising costs and labour shortages, embracing technology is crucial for both product quality and service. Artificial intelligence is becoming easier and easier to use, and proving to be more than a trend. It is vital for reducing operational expenses, and may offer additional benefits as its capabilities become clearer. It is also reassuringly user-friendly, both for a business to set up and for staff or customers to use. I really do urge nurseries to explore AI in 2026. Artificial intelligence partnered with our knowledge, experience and natural intelligence can really power our sector and growth in the year ahead.