Nothing adds more beauty and comfort to our homes and offices than the lush flowers and foliage of indoor houseplants.
However, in the hands of less green-fingered homeowners, the needs of real plants can easily be neglected, leading them to shrivel up and die.
Fortunately, fake plants offer a simple solution, as they will require no repotting, the leaves will never droop down and turn brown, and there is no need to remember watering or feeding them.
Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-CEO at home decor brand Dowsing & Reynolds, believes artificial plants bring life to a space without the worry of looking after the real thing.
She told Newsweek: "They require zero maintenance, just a little dust every now and then. They're suitable for most places so anywhere that might not be great for a real plant such as a dark corner, sunny window sill or humid bathroom, can benefit from a touch of greenery.
"Tall artificial houseplants, such as the aspidistra and the ficus elastica, look fabulous in spacious environments—be they high-ceilinged hallways or sunny bay windows. Alternatively, a smaller trailing ivy or faux fern will revitalize empty shelves."
Alex Hiatt, Head of Home & Garden at eBay UK, said the online auction site has witnessed an increase in demand for artificial plants, with the most popular types seeing an increase of up to 40 percent.
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He told Newsweek: "With people spending more time at home than ever, there has been a huge appetite to bring the outdoors, indoors and a leafier, fresher feel to their homes. They are easy to look after and great value for money as well which makes it an easy choice."
Newsweek presents a compendium of some of the very best artificial plants available online right now, for every budget.
1. Ficus Elastica Artificial Plant
Bring the bliss of balmy summer holidays home with this Ficus Elastica plant.
Dowsing & Reynolds state in the product description: "Paradise might seem a bit of a stretch at the moment, but creating it in your own home is absolutely within reach with some carefully placed faux foliage."
$240
2. Short Potted Unfurling Fern
This is a realistic artificial fern plant with unfurling fronds.
Heavenly Homes and Gardens notes this leafy plastic plant comes in the black pot, ready to be placed into a larger decorative pot cover.
$42
3. Artificial Trailing Fern Stem
This fake trailing fern stem is described as a "deliciously frothy and extravagant" addition to its artificial plant range.
Retailer Press Loft states: "Perfect for adding flamboyance to a large vase and creating a truly ambitious bouquet."
$23
4. Eucalyptus
Ikea's Fejka artificial potted plants are zero-maintenance as they do not require a green thumb.
The online store description states: "Perfect when you have better things to do than water plants and tidy up dead leaves. You'll have everyone fooled because they look so lifelike.
$6.6
5. Faux Prayer Plant
Those seeking a fake plant that ticks all the boxes, then this artificial prayer plant by Dowsing & Reynolds could be your saving grace.
The description states: "Perfect when you have better things to do than water plants and tidy up dead leaves. You'll have everyone fooled because they look so lifelike.
£24.99
6. Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant
This fake fiddle leaf fig plant means homeowners will not have to concern themselves over whether this splash of green is receiving too much or too little sunshine.
Dowsing & Reynolds states in the description: "When fake plants look this good it'd be rude not to have a few strategically placed around your home."
$24
7. Potted Mother In Law's Tongue
Heavenly Homes and Gardens notes how the speckled leaves of this substantial artificial snake plant creates a beautiful pattern and will add real interest to an interior space.
$30
8. Faux Eucalyptus in White Pot
This fake Eucalyptus could be a elegant addition to any home for fans of artifice plants.
Press Loft states: "This fake plant would look stunning sitting on a shelf console table mantelpiece or side table."
$32
9. Monstera
This plant with unusual patterns is ideal when owners have better things to do than water plants and tidy up dead leaves.
Idea's product description states: "You'll have everyone fooled because they look so lifelike."
£19
10. Ivy Artificial Trailing Plant
This hyperrealistic ivy requires just an occasional dusting to look its very best.
Dowsing & Reynolds states: "With tendrils up to 60cm in length, this trailing faux ivy plant will lend any room an air of botanical beauty."
$24
11. String of Pearl
Heavenly Homes and Gardens notes this extremely realistic potted faux senecio plant is perfect for trailing from shelves or mantels.
$29
12. Red Rushfoil Artificial Croton Plant
Bring some warmth to the interior with the Red 'Rushfoil' Artificial Croton Plant, ideal for injecting any home with a splash of color and a tropical influence.
Press Loft states: "T the Croton shrub, also known as a 'Rushfoil', features real a faux moss base for a true-to-life finish."
$27
13. String of Hearts
Ceropegia is a genus of plants within the family Apocynaceae, native to Africa, southern Asia, and Australia.
The real-life version was named by Carl Linnaeus, who first described this genus in his Genera plantarum, which appeared in 1737.
$12
14. Bergspalm Faux Indoor Plant
If you want to turn up the heat on your interior décor a notch or two, then this Bergspalm faux indoor plant by Dowsing & Reynolds is the one for you
The product description states: "This delicate yet striking fake plant looks so full of life, almost like it's bursting out of the pot."
$53
15. Peperomia
Peperomia is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae, known for their compact, small perennial epiphytes growing on rotten wood.
More than 1500 species of the real-life plants have been recorded, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
$4
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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