In order to find the right artificial plant for your desired environment, it’s important to consider factors such as style and material. In this section, we will explain the different types of plants and the materials that most artificial ones are made from.
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Choose the Right Plant for Your Space
Depending on the space you’d like to decorate, you may require a certain type of plant. Here, we will explain the best plants for both indoors and outdoors, and how to style them to make the most of your environment.
Indoor Houseplants like Succulents Can Be Grouped Together to Create Displays
Houseplants are an easy way to bring nature into your home or office, because they’re small enough to place on your desk or dining table. Group several houseplants of different heights and species together to create an eye-catching botanical display.
As houseplants such as aloe vera and succulents often look fake even when they are real, they are actually a good type of artificial plant to choose – no-one will be able to tell the difference! Succulents in particular come in a range of colours and shapes, so you’ll have no trouble finding one to suit your décor.
Use Topiary Shrubs and Trees to Create Outdoor Style Without Any Stress
The art of topiary, in which trees and shrubs are clipped into shapes, is often used to create beautiful outdoor arrangements or to frame the entrance to a home. Popular shapes include spirals, cones, and pyramids, which can be alternated throughout your garden to form a charming and distinctive display.
Real topiary plants can be difficult to maintain because they require frequent pruning and shaping, which can require a certain level of skill. One snip too many and you could end up ruining all your hard work! So if you want stylish garden sculptures without the stress of clipping away, artificial topiary plants are the best option.
Faux Flowers Bring Colour into Your Home All Year Round
Flowers such as roses and peonies are timeless so they will add elegance to any room. Stick to one or two vibrant colours, such as pink or orange, and pair with a neutral coloured vase to create a simple display. To make your artificial flowers appear more authentic, opt for stems of different heights so that each flower looks unique.
Real flowers wilt very quickly and are seasonal, which means you can only find particular colours at certain times of year. Luckily, faux flowers last forever and are readily available, so you can have spring florals all year round!
Plastic or Fabric – Choose the Material Based on Maintenance and Preference for Life-like Accuracy
Once you’ve decided which style of plant will work best with your surroundings, the next factor to consider is the material it’s made from. Plastic and fabric have different qualities which will affect the look and lifespan of your chosen plant, so we’ll explore these in this section.
Opt for Flexible Plastic to Achieve Authenticity
Many artificial plants are plastic-based and are made using molds of real plants, in order to create a more realistic-looking product. As plastic is a very affordable option, it’s ideal if you have a smaller budget or want to test a style of plant out in your home before investing in something more expensive.
However, not all plastic plants are made equal. Some can be too glossy or have fake rain droplets, which makes them look cheap and means they are instantly recognisable as artificial. They can also be quite rigid if made from a low quality plastic. You should therefore opt for a plant made from flexible plastic, as it will be softer and will look more authentic as a result.
Fabric Flowers Are Better Quality, but Require Extra Care
Higher quality artificial plants, especially flowers, are typically made with fabrics such as silk or polyester. Polyester in particular is popular with manufacturers because it is highly receptive to dyes and glues. Fabric flowers tend to be more expensive, but are usually worth the price tag – each petal and leaf is individually crafted before being assembled onto the stem.
In addition to being more expensive, fabrics are less durable than plastic. Silk is delicate, so it can be prone to fraying or may lose some of its colour if left in direct sunlight. This means it’s important to think about the placement of fabric plants and how you handle them, to avoid causing any damage.
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Extra Features to Look Out for When Choosing Your Plant
Since artificial plants are designed specifically with you in mind, they often have extra features which add to their convenience. Such features include protection from UV rays and the incorporation of lighting into the design, which we will discuss below.
UV Protection Will Prevent Discolouration
Artificial plants which are placed outdoors are at an increased risk of fading or becoming discoloured due to UV rays. It’s therefore a good idea to choose plants which have UV protection guaranteed, so they can withstand the sun’s rays and stay looking fresh whatever the weather.
Add an Extra Twinkle to Your Space With LED Lights
Some artificial plants are enhanced by LED or solar-powered lighting. LED lights are often integrated into the design of floral arrangements to add a soft glow. This makes them ideal for creating a romantic or relaxing atmosphere in your bedroom. In contrast, solar-powered plants are intended to provide bright lighting for your outdoor patio or garden.
