For years, I didn’t want any fake plants in my house. Then, I finally cracked due to one really dark nook in our previous home. It was a total DEATH ZONE for plants.
Do you have a spot like that in your house? If you do, listen up.
So, I bought a few cheap fakies from IKEA for that stubborn hallway corner. And I was instantly converted. They never died, required no effort, and when I moved a couple years later, they moved with me. So I bought more … obviously.
Today, I still have a lot of real plants in my home, but there are plenty of fake ones too. You can’t really tell unless you look closely or touch them (which is the sign of a good one).
I use them to fill high shelves that are tricky to water, and, for the most part, to replace succulents and air plants.
Some are better than others (for sure), but a friend recently told me, “Don’t think of succulents as plants. Think of them as flowers that die slower.” Haha! So true.
Here’s a faux succulent next to a real one, for reference.
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Here’s a guide to some of the best we’ve found online! I generally like to pay around the same price as what I’d pay for a real one in that size, whatever that is.
A lot of the big box craft stores sell them, and you can use weekly coupons there. I’ve also found some pretty decent ones randomly at places like Home Goods. Just keep an eye out!
Here’s a fake one next to a real one, for reference.
What are the best places to display fake plants?
In my opinion, the best places for fake plants are on high shelves, in naturally dark rooms or rooms where you rarely open the windows (like a bathroom, for example), and anywhere in your home where you have to move a plant away because it starts to die.
I will probably always have at least 75% real plants in my home. I love them, for one, but I also think it helps the fake ones seem more real.
But if you live in a SUPER dark space or travel constantly, there’s no shame in faking it. I mean, it’s way better than letting them die over and over!
Love this post? Check out my favorite dried flowers and faux trees for my porch. xx- Elsie
I love fake plants and use them all the time in brand photo sessions with my clients. I love that they are lightweight, fairly realistic-looking and there are so many great color options to match any decor!
I have actually searched for the best looking fake plants and could not find anyone else who really talked about it. Thank you! The time you put in to making this post is truly appreciated!
I like artificial plants because they don’t need to be watered, pruned or worried about dying.
I love fake plants because they do not need any care and look like real plants.
This post is very perfect and useful information post. Thanks for sharing this post.
I think the trick here is to not make everything colourful. Although some of these get away with it.
Thank you!!!! My succulents AWAYS die eventually, and I’ve read blog post after blog post on how to water them and which light is best etc etc, but maybe my space isn’t conducive to their growth. I have purchased a great cluster of faux succulents I came across at Target on clearance once and everyone always compliments my terrarium – never knowing they were fake. Thanks for being honest! We aren’t all green thumbs, and sometimes plants just fail to thrive.
Hmmm….Im not so sure. It’s not that I’m unconvinced about fake plants, but succulents aren’t that difficult – it’s more of finding the right spot in the house and only watering when the soil is dry. I could tell right away that the string of pearls plant in the photo was fake, it just doesn’t look right. The pearls don’t look realistic…. I’m totally about fake plants, but they have to look legit.
My backyard is my garden paradise and I have automatic sprinklers that water them. I do spend lots of time caring for them….weeding, pruning, etc. But I don’t want to spend any more time inside the house doing chores than I have to. I’d rather be outside! So, fake plants are perfect for me. When I clean, I usually just shake the fake plants to knock the dust off of them but our house doesn’t get very dusty. I really don’t care what other people think. If they don’t like my fake plants, they don’t have to come over. But I don’t think any of the people I associate with really care one way or another.
Oh, goody! This is super cute. Even though I work at a florist, I can attest to the beauty and wonder of faux plants. Because, let’s be honest — not everyone is responsible enough to keep a plant alive, right?!
I ALWAYS kill succulents. I’ve had three of that long bobble-y one. My husband won’t let me buy more lol.
Amazing idea, I’m totally checking out Ikea!!! Thanks for this.
I have the laser lights of dawn for about an hour each day and then it’s dark as night. I have macular degeneration, so the uv screens are a must. Pothos and sanseveria are poisonous to my cats. Shoot, I have to get creative with the fakes cause the tabby will eat those, too. I’ve got a couple of succulents, some air plants, and one pothos hanging well out of cat range. Everything else is fake. And that’s fine with me.
I remember once watering fake plants when I was at primary school, maybe they looked really realistic or I was just too young to notice either way! There are some really good ones now that easily fool people and they’re easy to look after, we even have services to allow us to do that for you. They are very popular as they don’t take as much care as actual plants and are always looking great! They can add a bit of ambiance to your office or home.
Hello Elsie,
All of the staff here at Greens Galore in London, Ontario, Canada are a big fan of your blog and have been for years. We have excellent quality faux plants. Not only do we have plants in our store, but we also make house calls and going to commercial properties to help our clients find the perfect plant for their space.
We are so happy that you posted an article about artificial plants… we feel that artificial plants have a bad rep. We would love for you to check us out (greensgalore.ca)… we are still working on our website and updating our social media. We are planning to use our social media to help clients become inspired.
Thank you for inspiring us and addressing the weird subject.
Greens Galore
I agree. For me, the joy of house plants is watching them grow, sprout, flower, etc. I suppose if one doesn’t not find joy in the life of plants and only the look, then fakes are a-ok.
Elsie, the biggest mistake people make with succulents is putting them in pots without drainage. Drainage is ESSENTIAL to succulents. I don’t even trust a layer or pebbles, the pot HAS to have a hole in the bottom. (This is why I don’t get pots at IKEA – they almost never have holes) I get frustrated when bloggers make terrariums and stick succulents in them and expect them to live. Succulents do not do well in humid environments with standing water. Also, succulents have seasons when they should be watered more or less. Overwatering is another big problem. It helps to keep them on a very regular watering schedule. For example, I water my plants every Monday in the summer and every other Monday in the winter. I actually write it in my planner. Anyone can care for succulents, it just takes a little research! You can do it!
I love this post! I have such a hard time with plants. I have an ivy right now that’s been great for 6+ months and suddenly seems to be dying. 🙁 These links are much appreciated!
Oh my goodness, tell me the secrets for DUSTING those suckers!? I have fake ones from Ikea and Target that would look way more real…if I could keep them well dusted. Anyone have a magic trick?
I like this idea of mixing fake with real- it’s hard to tell the difference. My only problem with fake plants is the way they collect dust. Is there any particular way you like to deal with the dust, if at all?
Haha, a while back my family and I bought Ikea fake plants too. Their succulents look really convincing. Awesome post!
I think a lot of it depends on the climate and the light source (I’m talking about indoors, I know they can thrive outdoors in a good climate). I’m not saying it’s bad to buy real succulents, I have a bunch of them. I am just giving an alternative option for people with dimly lit rooms. I never said to get all fake plants, I obviously LOVE plants and take good care of them. 🙂
Thanks!
Elsie