
Buying Guide for Artificial Plants

Why buy artificial plants?
If you don’t have time to take care of houseplants or live in an unforgiving climate, you may want to consider sprucing up your indoor or outdoor space with some lovely artificial plants. Also, if you have allergies or pets, artificial plants are a great alternative so you won’t get puffy and your animals won’t have the potential to get poisoned. They look just like the real thing but require little to no care. The best part is that they stay green and fully bloomed without worry that they won’t last through inclement weather.
What should you consider in artificial plants?
- Size: Which space in your home are you trying to dress up? If you’re decorating your porch, you may enjoy a larger artificial plant, like a tree. If you’re dressing up a tighter space, you may consider a cute potted plant of a smaller size.
- Likeness: If you have a particular favorite plant but can’t take care of it, you may want to consider finding a faux version of that same plant. From ficus trees to succulents and even flowery bushes for the yard, you can find just about any genus of plant in an artificial form to spruce up your home or yard.
- Indoor or Outdoor Use: While most artificial plants work well in both indoor and outdoor spaces, some are not made to withstand the weather. Read the product descriptions carefully, especially if you want your artificial plants to live outdoors.
What are some tips to make your artificial plant look real?
When choosing your artificial plant, your goal should be to buy ones that look like the real plant you want, just without the upkeep of it. However, you’ll run into some that are easy to tell that are fake and made of out plastic. So one tip is to look at the plant’s shape and shade. Look at the leaves and stem and ensure they have a natural shape and color. You typically want to steer from those that have straight stems without any wires since you won’t have any way to bend it into a more natural shape—no real plant has a perfectly straight stem. Also, go for plants that have different colored leaves since this is another sign of a normal-looking plant. Once you make your choice, you can put them in fake dirt or moss and even combine them with real plants if you want to make that further commitment.
Our Picks for the Best Artificial Plants
ArtBloom Outdoor Artificial Boxwood Plants
These lifelike boxwood plants look beautiful surrounding turf or in a lovely window box.
Pros: Great for a DIY project or a simple planter, these mini bushes look like the real thing. The stems are flexible, so they’re great for wreaths, too. They are available with several different colored flowers or plain green foliage, so you can decorate any way you’d like. You get a full eight bundles in this pack which can fill a large planter or several smaller planters. They’re water-resistant because they’re made mostly of plastic.
Cons: The artificial flowers may fade if exposed to too much sunlight.
Bottom Line: Perfect for planter boxes and decorative projects, these faux boxwood plants are realistic and weather-resistant. They come in several colors, making them versatile for your outdoor garden.
Der Rose Mini Potted Fake Plants
Great for surfaces all over your home or office, these lovely leafy greens come in beautiful little pots.
Pros: For a realistic look, there’s a bit of white flocking on these plants. It offers them a lovely texture as well. The pots are a lovely, soft gray color and have a rustic-themed look, so they will match most decor. The plants are water-resistant, so they can also work well in a bathroom, as long as the pots aren’t splashed or submerged. With just a few swipes of a damp cloth, the leaves are easy to clean should they get dirty or dusty.
Cons: It can be difficult to fluff the leaves out when you first pull them from the packaging.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking to decorate a tabletop, a window will, or any other surface with some lovely potted plants, these faux eucalyptus plants are a great pick. The color is soft and inviting, with little to no maintenance.
Nearly Natural Ficus Artificial Tree
If you love a ficus tree and hate the fuss, this lifelike and full-sized faux ficus can fill your indoor or outdoor space with its worry-free beauty.
Pros: To make it look completely realistic, this artificial tree is made with a real cattle wood trunk and over 700 soft and silky leaves. The larger tree measures five feet in height, making it a perfect addition to any front porch, office corner, or foyer. When it arrives, you’ll notice that it’s packed with care. It’s also easy to assemble and fluff out, making it look natural.
Cons: The included pot is an unrealistic size for a tree and is not weighted down to properly support it. You’ll most likely have to repot it into a larger pot.
Bottom Line: Tree lovers, this is an excellent selection for you. It stays green all year long without any fuss and looks like the real thing.
Ageomet Artificial Hanging Plants
These hanging plants have lovely silk leaves that won't fade and require no maintenance other than a light dusting.
Pros: These bright green hanging plants come in a money-saving three-pack. They’re made with high-quality fabric leaves that hang beautifully from each plant. The leaves are full and thick, so you don’t have to worry about your plants looking sparse. They look even more real from a distance, and they’re perfect for an outdoor planter box, too. Because they can be separated into single vines, they are great for DIY projects such as wreaths.
Cons: These do not come with any baskets or pots.
Bottom Line: Bring your outside fence or indoor mantle to life with these lovely hanging plants. With a basket or pot, these long, vine-like plants will flourish.
Seeko Artificial Succulents
For DIY projects that may otherwise kill your plants, these artificial succulents may be the perfect fit.
Pros: Each plant in this pack ranges from 2 to 7 inches in height, giving your decor some range. They’re incredibly realistic looking, so people won’t be able to guess they’re artificial, even up close. The stems are bendable, so you can decorate home projects, including wreaths and terrariums, any way you’d like. Overall, they work well in places where real plants would likely not survive, including outdoors in high sun, wind, and rain. The range in colors and variety makes this set visually stunning.
Cons: These succulents are pretty small.
Bottom Line: Succulent lovers with no green thumb will love this multipack of real-looking succulents. They’re perfect for several craft projects and home decor DIYs whether outside or inside.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing an artificial plant is a no-brainer with convenience, little thought, and zero worries of harming a real one. Liven up your backyard or the inside of your home with your choice of any plant without the continuing cost and upkeep. It’ll be an excellent investment that makes your space effortlessly beautiful.