How To Choose and Display Artificial Plants

Artificial plants are a great alternative for those of us who have less than green thumbs.  They give us the opportunity to enjoy the look of nature without having to worry about care and maintenance (save for a good dusting now and then).  In this post, let's explore some options, and learn how to choose and display, artificial plants.

How To Choose and Display Artificial Plants

​How To Choose Artificial Plants

There are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing faux greenery for your home.  Instead, you have loads of freedom, choosing from a myriad of plants, succulents and flowers, especially if you decide to shop online.  When browsing, be sure to consider the following:

• What are the dimensions?
• What material is it made of?

• Is the plant shipping in a decorative pot, or will you have to "replant" it?

Additionally, you'll want to check online reviews to be sure you're getting the best value for your money.

If you choose to shop for artificial plants at brick and mortar stores, start with craft stores, and work your way to garden centers and other big name retailers.  Shopping in person ensures you can get your eyes (and hands) on the plants before you get them in your home, making it easier to decide if they are the right choice for you and your aesthetic.

​Speaking of aesthetics, what kind of plants are you looking for?  Here's a few examples of just what's out there:

• Tabletop Plants: As the smallest and least expensive option, tabletop plants can include cacti, potted flowers, and other small-ish flora, like lavender and rosemary.  Look for little details in the plants, such as veining and color gradation, that would occur naturally to avoid fake looking, well, fakes.

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• Houseplants:  Houseplants run the gamut from large, hanging Boston Ferns and ivy to potted Eucalyptus, Pothos and Golden Dieffenbachia.  Try and steer clear of shiny, obvious plastic material and opt for silk or plastic that looks and feels realistic.

 

• Trees and Shrubs:  Some of the most popular faux trees include Ficus and Palm trees; both are hearty and look great as part of any home design (these trees work great in office environments, too).  Since trees are such showstoppers, be sure to place them in decorative pots that match your color scheme.  Another decor favorite is a topiary:  faux Boxwood or Arborvitae topiaries look great on front porches and in entryways, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

 

• Seasonal Plants: When the holidays roll around, most homes will be filled with a variety of flowers and plants which you don't typically see throughout the rest of the year. Poinsettias, holly berry and Christmas cactus are just a few of the attractive, seasonal plants that you'll find adorning homes at holiday time.  

3' Artificial Ficus Silk Tree in Plastic Nursery Pot, amazon.com

Set of 3 Faux Tabletop Greenery w/Clear Glass Pots, amazon.com

Set of 2 Potted 4' Spiral Boxwood Artificial Topiary Trees, amazon.com

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You May Also Like:

• Improve Your Outdoor Landscaping With Artificial Plants, Flowers and Shrubs
• How To Create An Open Air Terrarium

How To Display Artificial Plants

Displaying artificial plants is much like displaying the real thing:  place them in decorative pots and other containers and set along window sills, shelves, bookcases and other sunny areas.  Avoid overly dark spaces; afterall, you're trying to mimic the look of the real thing, and most plants don't thrive without sunlight.  Another great idea is to display the fakes among a few easy-to-care-for real plants, or vice versa.  This is especially easy with cacti, since it's so hard to tell the fakes from the real thing anyway.  Speaking of the real thing, here's a few more ways to display your plants, real or otherwise:

• Hang using good old fashion textured macrame
• ​Use the Ikea Kitchen Organizer Set with the Fintorp Utensil Holders
• Upcycled baskets from thrift stores always work well
• Matte, ceramic pots set off greenery quite nicely, and fit any aesthetic
• Create a (not so) living wall:

Set of 2 5.9" & 4.7" Matte Ceramic Planters, amazon.com

Set of 2 6.5" Indoor Plant Containers, amazon.com

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We love decorating with artificial plants, and as far as we can tell, nobody's the wiser.

If you're on the fence about fakes, check out this infographic outlining some of the benefits and advantages of artificial plants:

From Visually.

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