Plants in an enclosed space like your home or office have been proven to enhance a person’s mood, inspire calm, and even give the sensation of additional life. The only problem, as it is with all life, is eventually these plants die.
It might take weeks, months, or even years, but their end is inevitable, in which case, they must be replaced. And just keeping them alive isn’t always easy.
Artificial plants, on the other hand, don’t have this inevitability. They require little upkeep, can be changed more easily with little to no mess, and have don’t play havoc with allergies.
If you happen to knock them over, they don’t make a mess. Best of all, artificial plants today are almost indistinguishable from their living counterparts. Don’t believe me? Check out these tips for choosing the most realistic artificial plants.
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Tips To Choose Artificial Flowers or Plants That Look Real
When selecting the right artificial plant to give your home some color or the illusion of new life, there are some details you must adhere to, lest your plants become more of a burden than a blessing. If you want to know how to pick fake flowers that look real, this is your checklist:
Quality Matters When Choosing Fake Plants
As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. If you buy a cheap artificial flower, it will not only be obvious that it is fake, but it will also negatively draw the eye.
The best policy when purchasing artificial plants is to get one that is well-made and is incredibly hard to differentiate from the living thing, one that is designed to not only look but feel like a real plant.
Keep It Realistic When Choosing Artificial Plants
Unless you’re trying to replace a wax plant with its fake double, it’s unlikely that a flower or plant with shiny leaves or petals will fool anyone. To sell the artificial plant as real, it must look the part.
High-quality options take this coloration and sheen into account. Shiny artificial plants not only look cheap but give away that they are fake to the keen observer.
Perfection is Actually A Bad Thing In Fake Plants
There are many lovely flowers in the world, but rarely do you see one that could fall under the definition of perfection. This is another giveaway that your home floral displays are artificial.
When buying fake plants and flowers, look for a lack of symmetry, missing buds, or the occasional poorly designed leaf. Imperfections will help you sell them as real to admirers.
Long-Term Gains To Your Budget of Fake Plants
The best artificial plants are indeed somewhat pricey but calculate how much you would spend over time with real flowers or plants. The upkeep, especially if you have to hire someone to do it and replace the plants when they die can be pricey.
Compared to an artificial plant that will never age and never need to be replaced unless you want to, and you will see it is a sound investment.
Keep An Open Mind About Fake Plants
Just because you think you know what should be in the home or office, doesn’t mean you can’t explore outside the box for more eclectic and vibrant options. Perhaps you want to change the décor.
There is a world of artificial options to choose from, and each has its place. Open your creative ideas to the possibilities and give your space a unique feel.
Other Tell-Tale Signs That A Plant Is Fake
Anything left in the sun will fade. You must rotate your plants from time to time to ensure their color remains even.
Also, use UV spray to keep the fabrics from decaying under the sun’s rays. It’s easy to identify an artificial plant when it is suddenly two-tone. Clean your artificial plants with a wet cloth for large leaves and a feather duster for small leaves and blooms.
Real plants do not attract dust.
Storage and Upkeep Of Your Fake Plants Is Important
If your plant is starting to look a little limp, it’s ok to use sheers or scissors to give it a trim. Over time, plastic and fabric can look a little slack.
Trimming it up is a great way to give it new life, so to speak. And if you rotate your flowers and plants seasonally, always store them in plastic bins with locking lids to keep dust and moths away.
You can cover larger plants with a sheet or plastic bag.
Artificial or Fake Plants and Flowers That Look Real
Of all the flowers and plants that are easy to fake and look amazing, there is a handful that float to the top of the pile. They have minimal distinctive features, and the features they do have do not warrant a closer look.
For instance, a fake rose might get a smell and be found to be artificial, but no one will dare touch the spines on a cactus. Here are a few great ideas if you’re in the market for artificial plants that will do the job without drawing too much attention:
Succulents
Succulents are plants that require little water to survive. No one will notice if you never water an artificial succulent.
Unlike many of the flowering options involving fabric, succulents have leaves that are thick and hard, often made out of plastic. They are small and have minimal growth, making them an amazing artificial option.
Cacti
Unless you enjoy pain, you probably know not to touch the areoles, or spines of a cactus, and that makes it a perfect choice for an artificial plant.
People will naturally keep their distance, and cacti show very little growth. Indoor cacti also show little decay, so if you keep them out of direct sunlight, it will be easy to sell them as real.
You’ll never get bored with cacti as there are dozens of options from small finger cacti to saguaro that grow many feet tall.
Olive Trees
Olive Trees are a beautiful addition to any room as they are tall and narrow and require very little light to grow. As an indoor artificial plant, they can stand sentry in the corner of a room and be basically ignored, save the routine cleaning, and look simple and clean for years.
All they require is an occasional rinse with water, and unless your guests know they are supposed to eventually sprout olives, no one will be the wiser.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are potted plants that grow vertically but rarely outward. They have patterns on the leaves that resemble the back of a snake. They only grow to a certain height and grow very slowly.
The leaves of an artificial snake plant are often made of a firm but malleable plastic that feels real to the touch. Put these anywhere in your home to give it the feel of an oasis.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees
Of all the fake flowers and plants we have discussed, the fiddle leaf fig tree will need the most upkeep as they can attract dust. The leaves are large and flat, an easy collecting point for dust, and they must be addressed more often than most other artificial plants.
Wiping the leaves with a wet cloth is the best course. Treat it as you would a living or artificial ficus. The leaves are thick and can take the pressure of a firm wiping.
Final Thoughts About Choosing Fake Plants
To recap, when choosing real-looking artificial flowers or plants, the best-looking artificial flowers must be viewed as an investment. The long-term residence of these fake plants in your world will more than offset the cost, and the higher the quality, the less likely anyone is to notice they’re not real.
Be picky, know the upkeep expectations, and keep your eyes open for ideas for future artificial plant options. Have you purchased any artificial flowers or plants that you would like to share in pictures or stories? Drop us a note in the comments.
