Fake It Till You Make It: Why Artificial Flowers Deserve a Second Chance in Your Home

Why oh why do I always procrastinate taking out wilted or dead floral arrangements? But there we go again, 3 weeks later and dustings of pollen and dried up petals once again grace my table. Or whatever random corner I put a bouquet in and promptly forgot it.

I admit it, I started all in on “nothing beats real”, and I still think that’s true, but eventually I had to also consider whether my lifestyle (or budget) could support all real flowers and even houseplants.

If you are also in this quandary, let’s chat about it.

The Stigma -Let’s Just Be Honest

Back in the day, faux floral arrangements were SO fake they looked positively tacky. No one wants their decor to appear tacky to family and friends. And there is still the wide gambit of fake flowers and artificial stems, which means there is still the very real possibility.

Then, for those of us who have always been lifelong plant lovers, something about going faux feels like moving over to the dark side. We know full well that artificial plants don’t have all the same benefits as the real deal. Plus, we can usually spot the difference.

However, I would argue that you don’t have to choose one OR the other, and even the imitation of nature in our homes is better than none at all.

Artificial flowers have come a long way — and with the right approach, they can look stunning, last forever, and fit your lifestyle.

Exactly How Far Have Artificial Flowers & Stems Come?

Admittedly, it isn’t easy to find truly realistic artificial flower and stems. But they are out there! Consider the evolution of materials and what we can make now that wasn’t available just 10 years ago…we’re always improving wherever there is a market for something.

I attended the High Point Furniture Market, the largest interior design and furnishings trade show in the world. There I discovered the latest and greatest in faux plants and the lengths some companies have gone to achieve realism for their luxury clients.

Check out the base stems on this set of faux fall foliage I purchased on Amazon. They are incredibly realistic! The leaves are what gives it away, but only if you look at the back veins on the leaves.

Thankfully, as more companies compete to create better artificial options, and manufacturing these becomes easier, the prices become more competitive. That being said, you still get what you pay for.

Pros & Cons of Artificial Flowers & Foliage

There are still pros and cons to any choice, so it is worth weighing both when considering what you are trying to achieve.

Pros of Faux Florals & Greenery

• No maintenance required: No watering, feeding, disposal, or any care!
• Not allergy inducing: Enjoy it medication free.
• Cost effective in the long-term: Nicer ones are pricier up front, but buy it once and enjoy it forever.
• No placement restraints: No need to consider how much sun it will get, or whether kids or pets will get into it.
• Won’t attract insects: Real flowers can often attract ant colonies that want to get at the nectar. If you brought it fresh from outside, you may also discover spiders, mites, or aphids. Not a problem with artificial.

Cons of Faux Florals & Greenery

• Upfront costs higher for quality: You often get what you pay for, and you often need quite a few stems for the arrangement to look good.
• No fragrance (or artificial smell): You lose the benefits of the full sensory experience of the sweet smell from real flowers. Or worse, it may smell bad (or at least artificial) for several weeks out of the box.
• Still doesn’t look exactly real: It lacks the organic intricacies of the real thing.
• Dust accumulation: It may require dusting over time.
• No living energy: Some real plants contribute to air quality and mood in a way artificial can’t quite replicate.

Tips For Making Artificial Arrangements Look Stunning

If you decide it is worth it add some fake plants, fake floral arrangements, and stems to your home, employ some of these tips to make it impactful in the most positive way!

1. Bend & Shape The Stems

In nature, stems don’t grow straight. Make sure you choose options that have flexible stems, or are made to have the right amount of intentional droop.

2. Plan To Spend More Upfront

Yes there are budget-friendly options out there, but you usually get what you pay for.

It is very hard to find luxury quality faux flowers and stems on a budget.

3. Buy Several Stems

Most loose faux flowers and stems (meant to be in a vase) look sparse with just a few stems. They usually require a critical mass before they look good.

TIP: Buy one set to see how you like it, and get an estimate of how many you think you’ll need to create a nice full looking bouquet. Then place that second order right way…often good faux flowers go out of stock quickly.

4. Keep Scale In Mind

With faux houseplants it is usually a good idea to size up. Especially for ones with lots of little leaves. They tend to look a little sparse the smaller they are.

Height is important in floral arrangements as well. You can always trim it down to size, so taller faux stems are better. Also pay close attention to bud and flower size if you are shopping online. Sometimes photos are deceiving and the flowers are a bit dinky.

5. Add Moss, Soil, or Pebbles To Fake Houseplants

Put it in a great planter (don’t leave it in the one it came with), and cover the base with moss or organic items to make it look more realistic.

6. Mix Faux & Real

Keep people guessing by having a few real houseplants in addition to fake. I like to add faux orchids to the real orchid leaves after the flowers have died. Once it grows a new stem and flowers, I remove the faux flowers. My whole family was confused…they figured the flowers had to be real since the leaves looked so real!

How To Shop For Good Fakes

If you haven’t had the best luck, don’t be discouraged! Here’s what you need to consider:

• Avoid these: Ultra shiny leaves or petals, rigid plastic, unnatural green hues.
• Look for these: Bendable tall stems, natural color variations, matte finishes.
• Carefully examine the closeup photos: If they don’t have sharp in-focus photos and closeups, don’t buy it.
• Buy it in-person when possible: Craft stores and local home decor shops owned by designers are your best bet for realistic artificial florals.

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