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Including tiny succulents and large monsteras that are impossible to kill. artificial trees
If you don’t want to dedicate time to watering and caring for your greenery, opt for fake plants instead. With bright colors, delicate leaves, and elegant planters, the best fake plants look authentic but don’t require any maintenance.
When shopping for artificial plants, keep your eyes peeled for ones that have “wired stems and leaves, and realistic-looking coloring (not too perfect, with variation in color and dimension),” recommends Meg Callahan, brand manager at Afloral. “Anything wired can be bent and manipulated, which allows you to create the look you want.”
To come up with this list, we researched various types of faux plants (including small fake plants, hanging flowers, succulents, and trees) and considered factors like size, material, and planter type. We also spoke to Callahan for expert tips on how to choose the most realistic-looking fake plants.
This 13-inch plant’s bright green leaves will stand out in any setting, and its life-like design successfully mimics the real thing. The leaves don’t trail as much as they would on a traditional pothos plant, but it’s still a great way to add greenery to your space. You can also choose from a black or white pot.
We love the colorful collection of intricate thistle and multi-sized green leaves in this tiny, 9-inch potted plant from Target. This plant will look beautiful whether on a tabletop, desk, bookshelf, or countertop. Plus, the price is way lower than similar options.
This adorable faux boxwood ball plant from Wayfair is small but mighty, with its lush, symmetrical assortment of realistic green leaves and elegant black pot. It’s UV-resistant, so you can place the plant indoors or outdoors without worrying about the colors fading, and its 23-inch height is just the right size to create a subtle but noticeable difference in your home decor.
Your mood will soar when looking at this vibrant and fun artificial bromeliad plant from Nearly Natural, which features a mix of long green leaves and flowers in purple, red, or yellow. The plant stands at just 11 inches and sits in a bed of natural moss within a sophisticated black-and-gold stoneware planter.
This unique 46-inch artificial plant has tall pampas grass and three white reed flowers that have a feather-like appearance. It comes in a simple black pot, but you can shop around other plant colors and pot styles, too. No matter which color you choose, this faux plant will add tranquil, spa-like vibes to your bathroom, bedroom, or home office.
At over 70 inches tall, this Kentia palm plant makes a sizable, eye-catching addition to any living space. It can be displayed indoors or outdoors, and since it’s made from several small parts, transporting and rearranging it is easy. It comes in a simple black pot, but you could always switch it out for a different option if you prefer more color.
This tall, 60-inch faux dracaena tree stands out for its plentiful leaves, which come in multiple shades of green and adorn the plant’s five wood branches. Even though the bush is full, it’s easy to move around each branch so you can shape it as needed, and the tree sits in an attractive square brown wicker pot that can coordinate with many decor styles.
While the beautiful 66-inch eucalyptus plant (created with realistic-looking silk and polyester) may be where your eyes go first, you won't want to miss the elegant and unique planter, too. This stylish option from Wayfair truly has it all—it even comes with fake moss for the plant to rest in, adding to its natural look and feel.
If you want to add Mediterranean flair to your home decor, opt for this elegant 47-inch artificial olive tree from Afloral. The muted tones, asymmetrical shape, and impressive height make it an attractive focal point in any room. While the included black plastic vessel might appeal to minimalists, you can also purchase a stylish pot from the site.
The low price tag of this 26-inch artificial olive tree from Walmart isn’t the only great thing about it. We also love the Mediterranean-inspired branches, tall green-hued leaves, rattan basket, and sophisticated, lifelike look.
Bring the whimsical outdoors into your home with this faux eucalyptus tree from Pottery Barn. At 84 or 108 inches tall, this is the largest fake plant on our list. The plant is made of recycled plastic and polyester and has a hefty sand and cement base for stability.
From the hundreds of deep green silk leaves to the layer of moss covering the sturdy cement pot, this 6-foot-tall artificial ficus tree is a true stunner that adds life and greenery to any space. We also appreciate that you can adjust the shape of the leaves however you like, thanks to the metal wires placed inside the tree.
Feast your eyes on this pretty 8-inch concrete planter, which houses a gorgeous faux succulent perfect size for a shelf, desk, or windowsill. It goes with any rustic or contemporary home decor, and the plant itself is very life-like, so other people won’t even be able to tell that it’s not a real succulent.
This tiny potted succulent from West Elm has a steep price tag, but its gorgeously arranged design and white display bowl make it worth the cost. The 10-inch-tall plant has a healthy assortment of leaves in a pretty mix of greens, reds, oranges, and yellows, giving it a more realistic (not to mention stylish) feel than many other succulents.
This pint-sized succulent from Target makes an adorable addition to a desk or floating shelves. The geometric glass planter is filled with multicolored pebbles, which makes it more appealing than a traditional opaque pot. The plant itself (which stands at just five inches tall) might not be the most realistic-looking option, but its modern style makes it stand out.
Standing 14 inches high, this faux agave succulent from Pottery Barn stands out for its plentiful assortment of thick, green leaves and stone-colored ceramic pot held up by metal rods and topped with a bed of natural moss. Altogether, this beautiful fake plant is well worth its higher price tag.
Hanging plants can be hard to take care of, so a faux version eliminates the need to water them. At 24 inches, this hanging basket plant from Nearly Natural adds a colorful pop to your home without taking up any floor space. With bright pink flowers and cascading vines that hang around the wicker planter, it looks and feels surprisingly real.
This artificial philodendron bush is impressively lush, with dangling leaves that add a jungle-like feel to your space. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a pot, but you can easily arrange it in any hanging planter or basket to enjoy its flowing, 32-inch-long leaves cascading over your home.
This Alcott Hill wicker hanging basket is filled with artificial greenery and tons of deep red geranium blooms. The lush 28-inch-tall fake plant is also helpfully UV-resistant, so you can place it outdoors or indoors without any pesky fading.
For a truly unique hanging artificial plant, opt for this set of string of pearl succulents, which hang from delicate white circle frames. These plants are only 12 inches tall, but they make a beautiful and intriguing addition to your office, bedroom, or bathroom.
Liven up an entire room with this set of three artificial succulents from Seeko, which range in size (3 to 6.5 inches tall) to provide an eye-catching variety of greenery. You can choose from four color options for the planters and set them up in an office, bathroom, or library—or, you can even opt to spread them out across your home or apartment.
For a realistic set of fake plants, consider these two artificial fiddle leaf fig trees from West Elm. Each beautiful plant features hand-cut polyester petals and bendable branches, and they both rest in elegant white pots. We like that they come in two sizes to add visual interest to your space.
Each of the three artificial ferns in this set stands 12 inches tall in a striking black-and-white striped ceramic pot. Unlike many fake plants, these have a realistic look and perfectly fit their pots, too, with the green leaves making an eye-catching contrast to the planters.
This set of mixed green and fern bush plants has an ultra-realistic and lush design. Whether you place the plants together or separate them throughout your home, they undoubtedly add color and verdancy to your space.
Fake plants come in various sizes, from as small as just a few inches tall to as large as 7 feet. When deciding what size plant is right for you, first consider the size and layout of your space. Do you want the plant to blend in subtly with its surroundings or be the room's central focus? Will it be placed on a table or bookshelf amongst other decor, or do you plan to put it on the floor?
If you opt for a larger plant, you may see “the undersides of the leaves,” according to Callahan. This isn’t always ideal—so check detailed product pictures before placing your order to ensure you know how it looks from every angle. If you prefer smaller plants but are worried they look sparse or unnatural, you can always combine a few for a fuller look. Callahan notes that this will add “more depth and dimension to a planter.”
High-quality fake plants are typically made from silk or polyester, although you can get some well-made plastic options. When choosing an artificial plant, look for a “Real Touch” marker, advises Callahan. That “typically means the plastic or fabric leaves are coated in either latex or a foam blend that makes them appear damp or soft to the touch.”
If you want to place your faux plants outdoors, look for plastic plants with UV protection, as foam and latex don’t handle weather as well and might fade from sun exposure.
Your planter can add even more style and sophistication to your faux plant setup. Many fake plants come with simple black or white pots, while others offer striking, colorful decorative planters, or wicker baskets that hang from the wall or ceiling. If you aren’t thrilled with the pot that comes with your fake plant, you can always re-pot it in a new planter that better meshes with your decor style.
Look for fake plants that have various colors, leaf shapes, and quality materials. Faux plants that are perfectly symmetrical, have unnatural colors, or are overall homogenous branch by branch, are more likely to appear fraudulent.
If you want your fake plants to mimic real greenery, place them where they would get adequate sunlight—after all, actual plants wouldn’t grow in a dark corner or dimly lit room. We also recommend cleaning the leaves regularly, as dusty faux plants are one of the quickest ways to blow their cover. For faux plants with less-than-convincing soil, also add some of your own to the base.
Fake plants eliminate the stress of keeping your greenery alive, so you can have luscious plants that last year after year. Most faux plants can last years with a little maintenance and care, especially those that are UV-treated.
There are several ways to improve the realism of artificial plants. We recommend first fluffing and rearranging the branches and leaves so they are spread out. You can also add moss or dirt to a planter to make it seem more real, and if the plant came in a simple plastic planter, you can consider replacing it with a more striking option to give the plant an elevated look.
faux olive tree indoor This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and The New York Times. We did significant research on fake plants to create this list, including speaking with Meg Callahan, brand manager at Afloral, for expert advice on how to choose the best faux plants for your needs.