Happy(?) April Fool’s Day! I've already seen some playful pranks, including my personal favourite, IKEA’s flatpacked Easter eggs! In my view, a good-natured joke is all in good fun, as long as it doesn't cause harm to anyone (plants included).
To mark this occasion, I’m reminiscing about some amusing plant-themed April Fool’s Day pranks – including a few of my own…
1. The famous spaghetti-tree hoax
If you can recall the iconic spaghetti-tree hoax, you might believe that no prank could surpass it! This elaborate ruse unfolded during a three-minute segment on the BBC's Panorama show in 1957. It depicted a Swiss family supposedly harvesting spaghetti from trees!
Given the relative scarcity of spaghetti at the time, the prank fooled quite a few unsuspecting viewers. Some even called in, seeking advice on growing their own spaghetti trees. The BBC's tongue-in-cheek response? ‘Place a sprig of spaghetti in a tin of tomato sauce and hope for the best’.
2. Powerflower – the USB sunflower
Collaborating with Thompson & Morgan, I released a press statement unveiling the remarkable PowerFlower, boasting a waterproof USB port in its stem capable of charging an iPad.
Unfortunately, to the chagrin of numerous tech-savvy plant enthusiasts, this turned out to be a prank. Nonetheless, one can't help but imagine the practicality had it been genuine!
3. Grow your own M&Ms
In 2014, GrowVeg shared a video detailing the process of cultivating chocolate M&Ms in your own backyard.
Regrettably, chocolate enthusiasts worldwide were let down upon realising it was merely a hoax. Nonetheless, they acknowledged the effort behind this intricate prank!
4. Pop tulips
Taking on the concept of growing flowers using the ‘popcorn method’, the pranksters at FunnyHowFlowersDoThat.co.uk released a video showing tulips being grown from a bag in the microwave. Definitely don’t try this one at home - it’s a sure-fire way to kill your bulbs!
They even released a behind-the-scenes video to show how they fooled everyone.
5. Doughnut seeds
Who would have thought that doughnuts could sprout from seeds? Sadly, that's not the case.
This image originates from the website Printables4Mom. You can download the packet as a printable, then fill it with Cheerios to humorously mimic 'doughnut seeds'!
6. Hosepipe amnesty
In 2012, The Independent ran an online news piece claiming that the Government was conducting a hosepipe amnesty, requiring British gardeners to surrender their hosepipe gear to combat a long drought.
Many believed that the story was true, given The Independent's reputable status. However, the outlet later appended the article with a straightforward 'Check the date!' disclaimer to dispel any confusion.
7. Egg and chips plant – this is real!
Indeed, the egg and chips plant does exist! However, it doesn't actually produce eggs; rather, it utilises the common name of the aubergine, known as 'eggplant', to describe the upper portion of the plant. As for the "chips," they refer to the potatoes that grow underground.
This plant is a practical space-saving option. It can thrive in containers, upturned grow bags, allotments, or vegetable patches, consistently bearing fruit even in the UK.
You can also find the Ketchup & Chips Plant at Thompson & Morgan here 🍅🥔
8. Growable t-shirt
For April Fool’s Day 2021, I created a t-shirt that you could wear, then grow! I demonstrated how the t-shirt worked through an Instagram Reels video, which you can watch here. I managed to catch a few ‘fools’ before posting the reveal.
9. Smell before you buy
A description doesn't always do justice to fragrance – sometimes you need to experience it firsthand! That's why I ‘created’ an app called Flori Opal in April 2023. It emits olfactory waves through your smartphone speaker, enabling you to smell flowers before buying the plants! Check out the ‘demo reel’ here.
10. The fabled ‘Welsh’ lily
I slipped into my lab coat to unveil a new lily discovered in the valley of Priol Afol in Wales! This unique flower boasts a blue bud that unfurls into a stunning blue-mauve lily. It would have been fast-tracked into production - had it not been an April Fool’s joke!
What has been your favourite hort April Fool’s prank?
This must surely be one of the best - all that detail (supplied by T&M)!
https://www.transatlanticplantsman.com/transatlantic_plantsman/2015/04/anniversary-pansies-bridge-thompson-morgan.html
I might try one of these out on my Dad today. I would love to have seen people attempting to smell a flower fragrance from their phone I can imagine myself falling for it too 😂 although you have to admit it’d be pretty handy!