Need the realistic fake outdoor plants for decoration?

I clearly remember how the other day my best friend and I judged a colleague of ours for being a little too fake, which, if I am not wrong, is sinful. But consider plants. No one ever judges them for being fake, do they? So one might as well become a plant if they’re faking it. Why? Because that’s the only fake I can accept. And you will too.

If you are an ardent lover of nature, especially this universally accepted epitome of selfless giving that we call plants, but have caused the death of unknown few (or many, Lord bless you) because you forgot to water the succulents on time; or have forgotten the last time you had trimmed your favorite Ponytail Palm; or have been throwing used tissue paper, foil wrappers and pigeon litter in the plant pot right next to your overflowing dustbin only to realize it later (sorry, mum), artificial plants is what you need. Fancy trees but not sure how to take care of them? Yep, pretty sure it’s artificial plants you need.

A Guide To The Realistic Fake Outdoor Plants

Artificial plants are the imitations of naturally growing plants used for either commercial purposes or for the necessity of residential decoration. However, they are also made for scientific study and research. For example, the museums use glass flowers or preserve plants made with similar or different material to give students and general people an idea of the flora of a certain geographical region, the characteristics of those plants etc.

A variety of materials are used in the manufacturing process of artificial plants. Previously the Egyptians used painted linen, the Romans preferred gold and silver,  the Chinese chose rice-paper, the Italians worked with silkworm cocoons, South Americans used colored feathers etc. Modern techniques involve carvings made on the soap, ground clay, and readily available plastic molding. Glass is also used to make these artificial beauties but working with glass at high temperatures is pretty difficult, which makes them more expensive than the go-to artificial plants. The flowers of these plants have been particularly made using Polyester since the 1970s.

Now whatever the raw material, this industry has been a flourishing one. Because it requires specialized skill to make them look as realistic as possible, being artistic here is the true catch. This is because not every company has the knack of making artificial plants that can fool. But due to the support of millions of homes and commercial buildings in the U.S. around the world, this industry has now become a multi-million dollar industry. To mention, Permasilk and Permastem technologies continue to contribute to the advancement of the type of artificial plants. Among the wide variety, houseplants namely, Boxwood, Cedar, Cypress, English Ivy, Floor Juniper, Floor Moss, Cypress, Eyre are the most common artificial plants that are used.

Besides this, the realism of these artificial plants hits so hard that it has fueled the trend of using artificial flowers and leaves in bouquets, as embroidery in dresses and veils, and even in wedding cakes!

But here we will be focusing only on artificial outdoor plants.

Why You Need  The Best Artificial Outdoor Plants

Even months before, I couldn’t be convinced into buying artificial outdoor plants. I have always been buying plants and saplings since ages. Mainly because they’re a fresh source of oxygen, or because they bear a lovely flower or a basic yet delectable fruit. But then after having visited a friend’s house, my views changed.

Susan has a cat that would savagely eat and destroy the plants that she keeps on the floor. Miss Ginger, the cat, frequently breaks the urns in the living room trying to reach for the Devil’s Ivy, or snatch the Tillandsia sitting on the center table. Susan couldn’t keep them alive so replaced the old ones with new fake ones. The fake ones look so real and hassle-free, I was convinced I needed those artificial beauties for my top shelves. The places I couldn’t reach for watering, but still wanted to adorn. That way, I wouldn’t even have to clean them very often. There’s one more thing I realized, I’m moving out this December, so it will be very much safe to say, they’ll come with me, alive. I mean, fake.

And just so you know I still own real plants and fake ones too. And the difference sent quite visible unless you try to touch, or like my cousins do, squish them.

Still not sure if you should be spending on realistic fake outdoor plants just like I did?

Here are some (more) realistic reasons for you to buy them:

Variety of Options

Having a lot of options is always a good thing. Not only is there just the regular Boxwood, English Ivy or Cypress, but also artificial flowering plants like  Baby’s Breath, Lavender, Oleander, Gypsophila that can be customized to different size, shape, but can be planted in different base materials. One type doesn’t suit your taste, fine. There’s always a chance there’s another charmer right next to it, waiting for you to discover!

Upgrade the Blank-space

Empty places outdoors or indoors, pool area, porch, balcony, staring blankly at you can be accentuated with the vibrant colors of different hanging plants, floor plants or desktop plants ( hello, study table! ). For that matter, the corner of your room, which due to lack of proper ventilation has turned into the corner of death and misery for innocent plants, can happily be revitalized with quality artificial plants.

No Cleaning Hassle

The ancestors of the artificial outdoor trees weren’t much of a survivor when it came to bad weather. They collected dust much easier and would soon lose their color as they fade due to washing or continual use. The modern artificial outdoor plants and trees are UV-protected. This means that however bad the weather or climate that you are living in, these are more durable when it comes to color and texture. About the dust, luckily the protective sheen that some of them have let’s a little less dirt sit on the leaves, but either way, you will have to clean or wipe it with a linen or flannel cloth just enough that suits you, which means less often than the real ones.

Get the Upgrades

Plastic plants are better than the silk plants which were at grandma’s and are lesser subject to wear and tear.

One Time Investment

Another very obvious advantage of picking up fake plants is that they can essentially last forever if they are taken good cared of. What’s more, you will probably never have to worry about it overgrowing the space it was bought in for. However, if you want to avoid the suspicious eyes of friend, family or neighbors catching onto the fact you’ve had the exact same floral arrangement sitting on your desk for five years, you can always change the container or move it to a new spot.

Make Your Bathroom Green

Great if you want plants inside your bathroom where there is no natural light. But get one of these artificial bad boys in, and forget to water them. Even if you check months later, they would be in the right color and sit exactly as you brought them, given that you buy quality ones.

Top 10 Realistic Fake Outdoor Plants

01. Luxury Japanese Fruticosa Tree

This handmade artificial plant replica of a twisting Japanese tree made with real bark and synthetic leaves is 160-165 CM tall and is planted in a nondecorative 7-inch brown plastic pot.

The attention to detail is striking, the use of real bark, also the fact that it is handmade gives it its uniqueness. It comes in half and has to be clipped together to form the whole.

Wherever placed, it adds an instant sophisticated “zing” to your house or workplace. However, the purchase of a larger pot is necessary for convenient holding and extra decor.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

Nearly Natural 5043 Sago Silk Palm Tree

Nearly Natural claims that they’re plants are really lifelike and detailed so it is actually pretty hard to distinguish them with the real ones and less they are touched.

This particular Sago Silk Palm Tree is a fabulous tropical accent for your living room for office cabin. This is supposed not to have any problem with rain or sun. As for wind, it can be saved from tripling over by anchoring down with small and large, heavy decorative stones as the plants are seemingly lightweight.

Ideally, they could have been a little less green or come with some variations in the green color. It has also been sometimes seen to lose it’s green coloring when kept under direct sunlight for really long.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

03. Nearly Natural 5289 Golden Cane Palm Silk Tree

Again another one from Nearly Naturals.

This Golden Cane Palm Tree is a 6.5 feet artificial plant that makes a statement in your living space office or anywhere else, to jazz up the place. It can easily add gorgeous tropical style featuring over 333 palm leaves and a nondecorative plant pot.

This is recommended for use in the indoors or covered outdoors. This also comes in a disassembled two piece which needs to be brought together to form the whole. It has a pretty natural color and has the realistic stem that can add a tropical vibe.

Also planting it in a fiberglass vase ups the game for this Golden Cane Palm Tree.

What’s more is that it isn’t very sparse but actually very leafy which distracts from its falseness a bit.

A very good advice on this that I can give is to plant it to a bigger pot to counter the large leafy plant for visual appeal.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

04. Nearly Natural 5259 Paradise Artificial Palm Trees

Nearly Natural claims to be the first artificial floral company to hire head designers with experience and are always on the search of the best products available on the market.

This Palm Tree mentioned here is a 5-foot tall one and comes in two other variations of dimensions. Now, this vibrant green Paradise Palm Tree is tall enough to be bold yet compact enough to fit in small spaces or cozy apartments.

A dozen sprawling fronds extend outward in every direction, each covered with a mix of lush feathery pinnate styled leaves is its unique feature. It jumps to life even when it is hit with a gentle breeze, and keeping it under artificial yellow light makes it look even better.

However, this doesn’t do so well under direct sunlight and is seen to turn blue.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

05. Lightshare LED Lighted Maple Tree

This maple tree comes with 120L LED lights and stands 5.5 Ft height, and you just have to plug-in to use it. With yellow maple leaves, it brings you a nice fall/autumn vibe to your home.

The warm white LED light and brown stems to combine together for the perfect accentuation in your yard, or living room for the perfect decor.

Each branch is embellished with realistic LED lights which save energy with their long lifespan of 30000 working hours.

The dismantled leaves due to mishandling can be reinstalled again, making it a great aesthetic as well as resourceful, energy saving plant.

The extra leaves can also be let to lay down on the floor for a more autumnal look.

Whatever the case, placing them on the door entrance would make them more dramatic.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

06. Nearly Natural 5209 Ficus Silk Tree

Unlike the real Focus tree which is leafless in almost any home light conditions, this Focus tree is eternally verdant and deep green with 1008 individual leaves on several sturdy branches.

It measures six feet in height and would look lovely in a picture window, home entranceway, or even the office.

The only bad thing about it is the flimsy pot that comes with it.

This can be easily changed so no worries here. Also given the looks, it is a good one for the price you’ll pay.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

07. Nearly Natural 6584 Corn Stalk Dracaena Decorative Artificial Silk Plant

The simple elegance of our Corn Stalk Dracaena silk plant comes with tall, thick, long that stalks overlap each other to create multiple levels of beauty.

This sub-Saharan plant can spice up anywhere it’s put without needing to worry about the upkeep.

The setting of leaves is actually a bit of a  hard work while assembling but it is safe to say it is worth the work. Because the end results are stunning.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

08. Nearly Natural 5346 Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Rising a good six feet’s height and finishing in an explosion of leaves, this fiddle leaf fig tree can bring the forest indoors, without worrying about the insects.

It’s ideal for the library or near the study table, or in the office. It has a total of 70 leaves, several trunks and comes with a planter pot.

My advice would be to prune out the leaves which would give it a more realistic look.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

09. Vickerman Artificial Ficus Bush set in Black Pot

This plant is available in two other styles as well but this appeals to me more.

And this four feet artificial Ficus bush comes fixed in a 6-inch black plastic pot and is perfect for placing in the decorative container of your choice.

Actually, this has a very real look and is free from the often seen fake plastic sheen on artificial plants. Adding a fairy light to it can make it more visually appealing.

However, it’s one bad thing is that the plant is glued to the pot so there’s no removing it. The plant has to be planted with its small pot will be stuck to it.

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews.

10. Costa Farms Majesty Palm Tree

This Ravenea rivularis has a classic, elegant look. Its sturdy trunk and spray of leaves add tropical flair into any room it is kept in.

The lush, dark green foliage adds a green architectural element to any room.

It measures 3-4 feet tall and the best thing about it is that you can choose your type of pot from them.

So happy shopping!

Click here to see the latest price on Amazon and read customer reviews. 

How to Buy Fake Outdoor Plants

So how to buy the best realistic fake plants you ask? Here’s how:

Determine the Area

Start off by planning the landscape of your living room/room corner/porch/ yard. Now draw an aerial map with the dimensions and features of what height and size you would prefer for yourself. Even if you have a small space, this helps in the placement of your artificial plants.

Consider the Height of the Plants

The heights of fake plants usually range from 10- 61 inches or so. Choose the height according to the place you’re planning to put the plant on. If it’s the corners, prefer taller, tapered ones. Remember to mark areas that would be perfect to place large fake plants to serve as focal points to outline the different areas of your space. Examples of artificial plants that will work here include Yucca, Palms, Weeping Fig, Dracaena etc in a heavy pot.

If it’s for your staircase or right outside your door, short ones would be better. Decorate the entrance of your home with fake topiaries. Symmetrically place a plant on either side of the doorway or steps down the stairs. Fake topiaries are available in a myriad of shapes, and spirals. They do not look out of place, credits to most of them being evergreen plants.

Artificial Plants for Your Window

If you are planning to purchase for places around or on windows you can use window boxes of fake vines.  You can try and place a trellis underneath the window box to give the illusion of a climbing vine. You can also fill the boxes with artificial flowers that you prefer. Windows boxes with colorful flowers can heavily complement the exterior design of your house.

Artificial Plants for your Walkway

Place artificial bougainvillea, rhododendrons or other shrub species along walkways. Surrounding them with mulch will keep them neat and shaped and give a natural look.

Artificial Plants for the Pool Area

For pool area select artificial banana plants, yucca, palms, and bamboo to give the striking with a soothing aura of a tropical paradise. Artificial plants for poolside locations are pretty decent because of not being susceptible to the chemicals in the water of the pool areas.

What to Look For in The Plant

Now that you which know which type goes where do remember that you shouldn’t opt for plants that look too made up. For example, plants that have dew drops on them, or a glossy finish. They’ll always make you look tackier and less savvy.

Compare to a Real Plant

Bring a real image of the plant along so you’re sure what you’re buying is actually what you had expected. Focus on the thoughtful details that give an organic feel, like delicate or real root sheaths at the bottom of the plant and “dirt” around its base. This will give you a proper understanding if this plant is a good, fake one.

Choose the Base

Choose the base type of your plant according to your taste. You can choose from planters, pots, urns, and vases. Right outside your door, urns would give an ethnic feel; a vase for your living room and planters for your kitchen would be more aesthetically pleasing.

Cleaning and Maintaining

After getting them home and after a few weeks remember to spray your artificial plants with water to clean the dust. It will take pretty long, sometimes as long as a decade or such, before artificial plants begin to get damaged, faded or lose their aesthetic appeal.

Conclusion

So to sum up, you should be buying the artificial fake plants as a one-time investment and to rule out your grief of the black thumb and you could choose from the best options according to your choice.

For places to look to buy artificial plants, you can reach out to Amazon or local artificial plant stores.

What’s the next?

Need artificial topiary trees instead of fake plants?

This big article can help you to choose the best one for home decoration.