A Real Bird Of Paradise Will Cost You A Pretty Penny, But This Artificial Dupe Will Save You Tons
- 1/26
A Real Bird Of Paradise Will Cost You A Pretty Penny, But This Artificial Dupe Will Save You Tons
It's a debate as old as time: Fake plants vs. real plants? Those in the real-plants-only camp often say that pseudo shrubbery can't hold a candle to something that's alive, but what they fail to realize is that some
of uspeople don't really have a choice.Not everyone is blessed with a green thumb. And for others, the plants they love are toxic to their pets. (Or simply don't grow in their neck of the woods.) Designer and television host Mikel Welch has never shied away from mixing in fake plants as part of his designs, particularly for clients in tough climates. "This way you could transform a desolate desert" into whatever you want, he says.
Welch doesn’t recommend purchasing any old plastic plant, though. You have to consider where you’d be placing it and read up on the materials it’s made from first. Often, that might mean shelling out a few more bucks for the right faux plant, but Welch says the long-term savings make it worthwhile (e.g. no repotting materials, fertilizer, or plant sitters when you travel).
When shopping for a fake plant, Welch suggests opting for silk if the plant will be at eye level (think: tall corner plants or coffee table shrubs). But if it’ll be up on a bookshelf, you can probably get away with plastic. Welch also urges people to stay away from plants that have fake river rocks glued to the inside of the pot, stems covered in plastic dew, or anything that looks "too perfect"—they’re dead giveaways that your plant is, well, not alive.
You might also mix in a few real elements to trick the eye, says Welch. "You can sling some actual moss on top of the fake plant to give it the illusion that it’s real." Or, he recommends placing small, low-maintenance air plants near fake ones. No one will be the wiser, trust.
Ahead, you'll find the 25 best artificial plants that'll dupe anyone and everyone:
Christine Giordano - 2/26
Faux Pothos
thesill.com
$85.00
A few missing leaves help make this pothos plant look natural. Put it on your coffee table or bookshelf, and wait for the compliments to roll in.
The Sill - 3/26
Faux Philodendron
shopterrain.com
$338.00
Save yourself from all the pruning you'd be doing if you got the real thing.
Terrain 
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- 4/26
Artificial Pencil Succulent
crate and barrel
crateandbarrel.com
$44.95
Faux succulents are some of the best artificial plants you can get your hands on, says Welch, because their sturdy texture makes them look fake anyway.
Crate And Barrel - 5/26
Artificial Potted Yucca
crate and barrel
crateandbarrel.com
$149.00
Consider this the perfect plant to fill up that empty wall space in the corner. Take a tip from this reviewer who placed it near her real plants: "Using this palm in a large planter along with live plants. Looks real!!"
crateandbarrel.com - 6/26
Faux Olive Tree
shopterrain.com
$68.00
Sure, you won't get the real smell you get from a live olive tree, but this one still looks pretty convincing.
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- 7/26
Faux Tillandsia
shopterrain.com - 8/26
Faux Potted Queen Anne's Lace Plant
shopterrain.com
$198.00
This one comes in a weathered pot to give this plant that imperfect look you'd get from the real thing. To add to the illusion, place it near a window like you would with a real Queen Anne's Lace plant.
shopterrain.com - 9/26
Faux Succulents In Cement Pots
worldmarket.com
$29.98
Hang these cute faux plants in cement pots, and never worry about whether they're thriving.
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- 10/26
Faux Rubber Tree
thesill.com
$300.00
With leaves going this way and that, who wouldn't believe this rubber tree wasn't real? Sure, it's pricey, but the shading on the leaves gives it a more realistic look that you won't get from others.
thesill.com - 11/26
Evgenia Artificial Cedar Topiary in Pot
allmodern.com
$57.00
This plant can withstand wind and rain, which Welch recommends purchasing for outdoor decor if you live in areas where certain plants can't thrive.
allmodern.com - 12/26
Potted Faux Eucalyptus
cb
cb2.com
$59.95
Tbh, the real thing is pretty drought-resistant. But if you're furnishing a vacation home and aren't around for months at a time, a fake eucalyptus plant will keep your space looking pleasant all year long.
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- 13/26
Faux Outdoor Snake Plant in Pot
afloral.com
$98.00
Don't be shy—just shove this fake, weather-resistant snake plant right into the ground outside your home. Trust, you'll get away with it.
afloral.com - 14/26
Faux Potted Greater Burdock Houseplant
potterybarn.com
$69.00
Some realistic plants can cost a pretty penny, but for less than $100, you can get your hands on a lush mid-sized beauty like this burdock.
potterybarn.com - 15/26
Faux Potted Wild Grass
$79.00
Be on trend with this wild grass for a lot less money and maintenance. It's a different kind of comfort to know your plants can never die on you.
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- 16/26
Areca Potted Faux Plant
Urban Outfitters
urbanoutfitters.com
$60.00
Most floor plants will cost you a pretty penny—the fake ones, too. Save a little coin without sacrificing any of the more convincing elements with this potted areca palm. Spend what you save on an eye-catching planter to stick this in.
urbanoutfitters.com - 17/26
Golden Dieffenbachia with Decorative Planter
Nearly Natural
amazon.com
$64.77
This dieffenbachia comes with its own decorative planter. Take it out of the box, put it where you want, and go about your day.
amazon.com - 18/26
Faux Money Tree
cb
cb2.com
$199.00
Sure, sure, a real money tree promises to bring wealth to its owner. But with one that looks this legit, you'll probably get the same $$$ benefits.
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- 19/26
Faux Fishtail Palm Tree
cb
cb2.com
$249.00
This five-foot tree has wired branches you can bend any way you want. Give it the realistic shape of your choosing.
cb2.com - 20/26
Fake Potted Cordyline Palm
afloral.com
$68.00
If you're after a floor plant that isn't too tall, this cordyline fits the bill. And if you decide you want it to take up a bit more space, display it on a plant stand.
afloral.com - 21/26
Faux Potted Corn Stalk Dracaena Plant
potterybarn.com
$189.00
If the real dracaena doesn't get enough sunlight, owners will notice the growth of its trunk and stems stunt. But with an imitation, you're not obligated to place this tree near a window.
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- 22/26
Potted Artificial Maiden Hair Fern
Threshold
target.com
$24.99
Here's an idea: offer this artificial maiden hair plant to your friends as a housewarming gift. It says: "Hey, sit back, relax, and forget about watering."
target.com - 23/26
Artificial Outdoor Bamboo
IKEA
ikea.com
$49.99
Most bamboo thrives outdoors, but with a fake one, you can make up your own rules. Plant it outside or display it in the living room.
ikea.com - 24/26
Artificial Aralia Potted Plant
IKEA
ikea.com
$4.99
Dress up your desk with this aralia that's nearly identical to the real thing. Yeah, it won't transport you outdoors and out of your home office, but it's something.
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- 25/26
Artificial Bird Of Paradise Potted Plant
artiplanto.com
$166.00
Amp up your tropical vibes inside with this life-like bird of paradise that has flowers that grow all year round. Sure, it has that "too-perfect" look, but so does the real thing.
artiplanto.com - 26/26
Artificial Aloe Tree Potted Plant
artiplanto.com
$114.00
If you've already got a tube of the stuff in your medicine cabinet, opt for a fake aloe plant.
artiplanto.com
No one will know they're faux.
