The Best Fake Plants | 2023

Why buy fake plants? Anyone who has ever owned real plants can tell you there’s a definite upside. Study after study has shown that houseplants can do wonders for your mood and concentration, but not everyone has the kind of lifestyle that allows them to care for all that greenery. Maybe you don’t spend a lot of time at home. Maybe you work in a home office without a lot of natural light. Maybe you just don’t have a green thumb, but here’s one thing real plants and fake ones have in common: They won’t judge you. Thanks to technology and decades of artisanal innovation, the right piece of faux foliage can be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

So what are fake plants made of? You can choose from several different materials, and there’s really no one substance that’s best for all situations. Historically, plant “makers” used silk to replicate the delicate leaves of most flowers, and it’s still in regular use today. Silk doesn’t guarantee quality, but in capable hands this material can be used to create some incredibly lifelike petals and leaves. For that reason, it’s a great choice for bouquets and other decorative plants. Many wedding planners use them strategically to create table centerpieces or allergen-free memento flowers that guests can take home. Take care, though: Silk flowers will look great outdoors for a short while, but they are not waterproof and can discolor quickly. You can find some artificial plants that have a protective wax coating, but that will add to the price tag — and good silk plants usually are not cheap.

Another common material is plastic. You can find plastic plants in waiting rooms and offices everywhere, and the quality can vary widely. Plastic is a great choice for leaves that already have a smooth sheen to them. Think snake plants, aloe or fig leaves. It’s tough to tell the difference between spiky succulents that are real or plastic, mostly because the real thing looks plastic to begin with!

If you’re decorating on a budget, foam or latex plants can be a solid choice if you pick the right type of plant. Spike bushes, cactus or berry plants are among those that can be convincingly replicated. Foam plants especially have a texture that mimics the rough feel of real leaves.

Whatever type you choose, placement is everything. If you have some plants that are less convincing than others, put them in hanging planters or on the top of shelves where they won’t be scrutinized. And remember, just because they’re artificial doesn’t mean they can’t be trimmed. Feel free to pare back stems that are too tall or leaves that are too full. Eye-catching pottery will only enhance the illusion, so put your faux bouquets into any configuration that makes them fit.

Obviously, you don’t have to water your fake plants, change their soil or repot them (unless you want to change the look). That doesn’t mean they’re completely care-free, though. Artificial greenery accumulates dust the same way real ones can, and in fact that dust will cling to silk more easily. Nothing that a good occasional cleaning won’t fix. For best results, use a microfiber cloth and remember to get in between the leaves. Every few months, you may want to do a deeper clean with vinegar and water, but make sure to use cool water and dab — too much moisture can make the colors run on some silk flowers.