Artificial plants are often a smarter choice for people who simply don't have the interest, knowledge or time to look after real plants. It's a fuss-free way to transform a bland corner (and brilliant for positioning in places where real plants just wouldn’t survive with too much or very little sunlight).
Artificial plants (also referred to as faux or fake plants) require absolutely zero care and they're an easy way to bring a sense of nature into your home and help to brighten your space.
Tracey Hague, director of Where Saints Go, agrees: ‘Artificial or faux plants can look fabulous if chosen wisely. In essence, anyone can look after an artificial plant as the care required is minimal.’
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Small Artificial Plant
Sammy-Faux Grass Planter in Cement
£8 at housebeautiful.co.uk
£8 at housebeautiful.co.uk
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Large Artificial Plant
Fiddle Tree Fig Tree Artificial Plant
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Artificial Trailing Plant
Artificial Mini String of Pearls in Pot
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Leafy Artificial Plant
Artificial Palm Tree in Woven Basket Plant Pot
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Flowering Artificial Houseplant
Anthurium Artificial Plant
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Potted Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Chinese Money Plant in Ceramic Pot
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Best Artificial Plants - Tall Artificial House Plants
Artificial Areca Palm Tree with Black Planter
£40 at housebeautiful.co.uk
£40 at housebeautiful.co.uk
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Artificial Cactus
Small Artificial Cactus in Terracotta Pot
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Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Fern Bush in Terracotta Pot
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How do you clean artificial plants?
Looking after and cleaning artificial plants couldn’t be simpler (or quicker). ‘A gentle wipe down with a damp cloth from time to time will do the trick,’ says Connor Prestwood, interior design specialist at home decor brand Dowsing & Reynolds. ‘They are also hypoallergenic and non-toxic to children and pets (unlike some real plants), so you and your whole family can enjoy them for years.’
‘For tough stains on artificial plant leaves, you can use a half-water, half-vinegar solution,’ says Tracey. ‘Simply spray the solution on the affected plant, leave it to soak for 5-10 minutes, then wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth.’
How do you choose artificial plants that look real?
The key is to opt for faux plants that avoid blocky colours or artificial-looking tones – this is vital to them looking realistic. Connor says: ‘Look for high-quality designs that include intricate detailing. This might be detailed leaf veins, realistic colours, even down to the detail on the stems, trunks and branches.’
Tracey adds: ‘It probably pays to spend a little more on an artificial plant, as not only will it look more realistic, it will probably be much better quality and last longer. Look for plants with different tones of greens and textures in the foliage. Blocks of solid green leaves on a faux plant tend to look very plastic and very unrealistic.’
How do you style artificial plants?
You can be much more flexible with styling artificial plants than with real plants. Tracey says: ‘You can make artificial plants look more realistic by styling them with an on-trend plant pot and by adding pebbles or something similar to the pot.
‘Some of the most realistic-looking faux plants on the market are monsteras and eucalyptus plants. So, if you are looking to buy now, maybe a coconut or exotic palm, bird of paradise, or an aloe vera or snake plant is the way to go.’
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Small Artificial Plant
Sammy-Faux Grass Planter in Cement
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Small Artificial Plant
Sammy-Faux Grass Planter in Cement
Now 15% Off
£8 at housebeautiful.co.uk
A petite faux plant to pop on your desk. Tufts of green artificial grass are set in a wavy concrete pot for a full, but compact look.
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Large Artificial Plant
Fiddle Tree Fig Tree Artificial Plant
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Large Artificial Plant
Fiddle Tree Fig Tree Artificial Plant
Tall and leafy, this faux plant is easily mistaken for the real deal. It's been potted with faux bedding, and can easily fit into a decorative planter.
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Artificial Trailing Plant
Artificial Mini String of Pearls in Pot
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Artificial Trailing Plant
Artificial Mini String of Pearls in Pot
This baby trailing plant is ideal for adding to your shelves for a pop of greenery. Better still, it comes in a curved pot for an understated look.
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Leafy Artificial Plant
Artificial Palm Tree in Woven Basket Plant Pot
4
Leafy Artificial Plant
Artificial Palm Tree in Woven Basket Plant Pot
Sat in a plastic woven pot, this artificial palm tree requires no maintenance and is ready to display as soon as it is bought. We love the addition of a woven basket.
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Flowering Artificial Houseplant
Anthurium Artificial Plant
5
Flowering Artificial Houseplant
Anthurium Artificial Plant
The orchid-like anthurium will elevate a bland corner in an instant. With slender dark green leaves and pink flowers, it's the perfect choice for adding some colour to your interiors.
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Potted Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Chinese Money Plant in Ceramic Pot
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Potted Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Chinese Money Plant in Ceramic Pot
Admittedly, we love the decorative glazed pot as much as the plant here but the combination makes for a lovely, maintenance-free display on your coffee table or sideboard,
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Best Artificial Plants - Tall Artificial House Plants
Artificial Areca Palm Tree with Black Planter
7
Best Artificial Plants - Tall Artificial House Plants
Artificial Areca Palm Tree with Black Planter
£40 at housebeautiful.co.uk
Plants and flowers never fail to brighten up a room, especially leafy varieties such as this. This artificial areca palm tree comes with a handy black planter and would look at home in any room corner, such as behind a sofa or in an alcove.
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Artificial Cactus
Small Artificial Cactus in Terracotta Pot
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Artificial Cactus
Small Artificial Cactus in Terracotta Pot
If you're a cactus fan, look no further. This petite plant will look good indefinitely and even features realistic, prickly spikes.
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Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Fern Bush in Terracotta Pot
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Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Fern Bush in Terracotta Pot
Presented in a charming terracotta pot, this petite artificial fern is an easy (and maintenance-free) way of dressing up a windowsill or desk.
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Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Dieffenbachia in White Pot
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Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Dieffenbachia in White Pot
This is so realistic you'll be tempted to reach out and touch – it's just the thing for brightening up empty corners and surfaces.
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Small Artificial Houseplant
Faux Potted Eucalyptus
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Small Artificial Houseplant
Faux Potted Eucalyptus
Here, grey-green foliage is arranged in a rustic textured pot which has a tactile weathered effect for additional detail. Add to a shelf, console table or mantelpiece.
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Leafy Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Variegated Fig in Basket
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Leafy Artificial Houseplant
Artificial Variegated Fig in Basket
A great, maintenance-free way to add some style to your home, this artificial variegated fig is presented in a charming basket pot. We love the two-toned leaves.
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Slim Artificial Houseplant
Faux Potted Rubber Plant
At 1.6m tall, this beautiful potted rubber tree adds an impressive focal point to any space in need of a touch of greenery. It's also realistic, with textured branches, deep green leaves and aerial roots.
