Plants look beautiful in practically any environment. If you have a terrible thumb, you might be apprehensive about stocking up on them. Why invest money in an attractive plant if you’re only going to keep it alive for a few months? The black-thumbed among us, fortunately, have a backup strategy: we can stock up on fake plants. It’s essential to remember that artificial plants have a bad reputation.
False foliage, however, has advanced much from the apparent phony flowers that were common in our teens. You may now purchase artificial plants that look lush and lifelike. With so many choices, you can easily stock up on traditional ferns, recently fashionable fiddle leaf fig trees, and everything in between. Naturally, knowing where to look is essential. We’ve thus put up a list of the top retailers to check out the next time you’re searching for some genuinely lovely fake plants to get you started.
Top 10 Online Best Places to Buy Fake Plants of 2023
1. The Sill:
The Sill is a small business with just a few actual stores specializing primarily in live plants. On their website, you may still discover a small but adequate selection of artificial options. The Living Wall and the Fern Kokedama are artificial plants preserved naturally, giving them an incredibly authentic appearance. However, due to their unpredictable colour patterns and different leaf sizes, plastic artificial plants like the Maranta are just as lifelike.
We object to The Sill’s inclusion of tabletop plants’ diameters but not their heights. None of the plants have the components listed, despite the FAQ’s claim that they are made of a combination of foam, cloth, plastic, wire, and other materials. The Sill’s exquisite craftsmanship is also costly; the six-foot Fiddle Fig tree, which costs $300, was sold out at the time of writing. As a result, it works better for someone looking for a few statement pieces than attempting to fill every square inch of a new home.
Website : https://www.thesill.com/
Pros:
- The company arranges for the donation of unwanted artificial plants from customers.
- Price reductions are available within three days of the purchase.
Cons:
- Returns are only accepted for faulty items.
- narrow selection
- The descriptions might be more precise.
2. Amazon:
Similar to Wayfair, Amazon has a massive range of fake plants (20,000 as of press time!). The massive store makes shopping quite simple, and in addition to the standard criteria like Prime, price, and kind, you can get precise with filters, including looking for items by container material and unique features (eco-friendly, weather-resistant, washable).
Given the sheer number of alternatives, Amazon may be the most excellent option for those who know exactly what they want to buy. The variety is astounding and includes inexpensive plants like this straightforward Shlutesoy Artificial Arrangement with varied stems. The Augshy Store’s 16-Pack of Artificial Unpotted Succulents, which looks realistic and provides excellent value, was a favorite among our testers.
When shopping, we advise carefully reading user reviews; if you’re not purchasing from Amazon directly, check out the seller’s ratings and return policy. If your plants differ from what you expected, they’ll be simple to return thanks to Amazon’s super-simple return policy for orders sold directly by the retailer.
Website : https://www.amazon.com
Pros:
- huge selection
- typically simple returns
Cons:
- Diverse quality levels
3. Wayfair:
A recent search on the retailer for “fake plants” produced more than 5,500 results from more than 100 different companies, demonstrating the enormous variety of styles and prices Wayfair offers. This makes Wayfair the perfect place to shop if you know exactly what you want.
The website is simple to use and allows you to search by size, plant kind, price, and other factors. Patience will pay off and provide you with many possibilities. At the time of publication, 35 different species were available under the heading “fake plants,” including boxwood, onion grass, and dracaena, as well as broader classifications like “flowers.” Our tester praised the Pure Garden Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree as “one of the most realistic-looking around.” Among the numerous varieties of fake foliage available are spiky spider plants, ferns that look lush and lush, hanging branches of jasmine, and loose branches of jasmine.
You can get great bargains when you shop by filtering your search results by “closeout” or “sale.” Additionally, you can locate deals by selecting “Sales” and going to the Faux Plants category. After spending $35, shipping is free, although there are extra costs for orders delivered to Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories.
Website : https://www.wayfair.com/
Pros:
- huge selection
- Positive reviews
- outstanding client service
Cons:
- An overpowering website
4. Nearly Natural:
Nearly Natural has been a significant player in the artificial plant market since its founding in 2002. Hundreds of variations are available here, including an astounding number of artificial trees (1,500 at the time of posting!). Fortunately, the site is simple to search because you can narrow it down by criteria like height, width, color, and plant type. In addition to trees, Nearly Natural also sells plants, flowers, Christmas trees, and greenery and has a whole section of outdoor options.
Our home tester appreciated the Pothos Silk Plant, one of our favorites, for its diverse, realistic-looking leaves (no two are the same). We also adored the Golden Cane Palm Tree, which stands a striking 6.5 feet tall and has a rubbery trunk that could easily pass for the simple thing if you’re trying to make a statement in a space with high ceilings. Our tester remarks, “[It’s] strong enough to stay upright and maintain its alibi as a real tree, but not so cumbersome that it’s difficult to move about if needed.” Another option is to choose a portion of an artificial living wall, which would not only liven up a room while standing up to the elements outside (the gently browned leaf tips make it seem exceptionally lifelike).
Remember that they only ship to the 48 lower contiguous states if you decide your plants aren’t for you. Natural’s return policies are basic and easy to understand. Pre-paid mailing labels are offered, but your initial shipping costs won’t be reimbursed. If you sign up for the website’s email, you can receive a 25% discount, plus there is a VIP points loyalty program gives discounts once you spend a particular amount. In addition to regular sales like Christmas in July, Nearly Natural also features a modest sale section where customers can save up to 30% on seasonal goods. There is no minimum order requirement and free shipping.
Website : https://www.nearlynatural.com/
Pros:
- wide variety
- the large variety of prices
Cons:
- Customer service ratings could be more consistent.
- No shipments to Hawaii or Alaska
5. Afloral:
The manageable collection at Afloral, whose motto is “the delight of nature should never fade,” nonetheless feels substantial. The solely online business sells accessories like vases and flower arrangers in addition to artificial flowers, dried flowers, and artificial plants. High-quality wedding-appropriate silk blossoms are the sole subject of one section.
The website is simple to navigate, and customers can search by color, type, and height as well as filter their results by attributes like natural touch (meaning the plant will feel alive and likely be made of thin plastic instead of silk or even metal), outdoor and UV-protected, holiday, and fall. Want to create floral centerpieces or arrangements? More than 300 dried and fake flowers and stems are available, including four feet of fluffy Pampas Grass and dozens of rose replicas like the multi-layered English Cabbage Rose.
One area where Afloral falls short is the need for large, intrusive objects like trees. The largest one is a 45-inch-tall Monstera Plant in Cement Stand that costs $88. Although they are more expensive than big-box stores and commensurate with the quality (a luxuriant Hanging Pothos costs $58), they are reasonable and should only partially break the bank. The minimum amount for ground shipping is $5.
Website : https://www.afloral.com/
Pros:
- Easily navigable
- Midrange costs
- Good caliber
- Cleaning and styling advice that’s useful
Cons:
- Very few trees
6. Terrain:
Terrain has a few pop-up shops and outlets within its sibling, Anthropologie, but most of its products are offered online. The brand’s primary offerings are natural plants, fresh flowers, and garden accessories; however, there is a modest variety of artificial greenery, which includes exciting products like the stark, striking Iron Potted Houseplant and the pricey, beautifully constructed Gilded Botanicals Iron and Metal Wreath.
The stems and blooms are $26 for a single Faux Dahlia, making them relatively expensive. There aren’t many conventional faux houseplants, but the ones there are well-made and realistic. The 20-inch Faux Olive Tree costs $76, while the Faux Fish Hook Succulent in Hanging Pot is available for sale for $34. Items from Terrain work best as statement pieces due to the high costs and exquisite craftsmanship.
Regular sales are available (see the homepage or “Current Promotions + Offers” for current codes), and the “Sale” category also offers a good selection of reduced faux foliage items such as preserved floral bunches and faux sprays.
Website : https://www.terrain.org/
Pros:
- Aesthetic distinction
Cons:
- narrow selection
- High costs
7. Michael’s:
If you enjoy doing crafts, you’re probably familiar with Michael’s, the largest chain of its kind in North America. The business also has a website. However, it might be a little challenging to use, in addition to its several retail locations: Less than 500 results were returned when “artificial plants” was searched. Still, nearly 4,500 results were returned when “fake plants” was searched. Furthermore, finding fake foliage can be a little confusing because it can be located under “floral” or “home décor.”
Most of the 4,500 artificial plants come from Ashland and Nearly Natural; however, some also come from businesses like Minnesota-based distributor Vickerman. The Kiwi Vine Spray, one of Davis’s favorites, is no longer offered, but the Natural Ting Bunches with Sola Flowers have a similar airy, delicate feel. There is also a sizable selection of inexpensive artificial succulents, such as the Flora Bunda 8-Inch Succulent Mix, which is packaged in a lovely stand.
By selecting “floral” after scrolling to those areas under “Deals,” customers can find plants on sale or clearance. Recent discounts included a UV-Protected Maidenhair Fern Bush for 50% off and an Ashland Potted Dracaena discounted from $80 to $24.
Website : https://www.michaels.com/
Pros:
- inexpensive options
- Regular sales
Cons:
- a meagre selection of brands
- The website could be more user-friendly.
8. Rustic:
Small, California-based Rustic Reach sells both through its website and on Etsy, where they have received excellent reviews. All products are shipped from California, but the proprietors acquire some of their merchandise from suppliers in China and Southeast Asia, some of which are created especially for them.
Despite the website being challenging to use, they feature numerous artificial flowers, vines, plants, and trees (it would be helpful to see items grouped in more significant categories). Even so, it’s well to take the time since you’ll come across attractive options like the Olive Trees, which Davis suggests, as well as surprising products like Red Apple Stems, Cotton Bouquets, and Craspedia Globosa Bundles. Additionally, they offer accouterments like cloth, garden equipment, and containers.
Due to its modest size, Rustic Reach doesn’t offer many deals or a rewards program, but they post promotional coupons on its website and Etsy. They have also advertised discounts on Etsy, such as 50% off olive trees with broken pots.
Website :
Pros:
- Ships globally
- wide variety
- 90% of goods are created by hand
Cons:
- The website is challenging to navigate.
9. Overstock:
Overstock, a store worth $1 billion that only operates online, was established in Salt Lake City in 1999. Despite the website’s bewildering selection of products, it is simple to click straight to the section with artificial plants (the section is called “silk plants,” although the plants are made from various materials, including lightweight plastics). You may quickly apply the “clearance” and “on-sale” filters as well as explore by brand, plant kind, price, customer rating, and color.
The long-standing shop Sullivan’s, Nearly Natural, Christopher Knight, and many other names are among the featured brands. You may discover the majority of common fake plant species, such as monstera, ferns, olive trees, fiddle leaf fig trees, bonsai trees, shrubs, and a variety of hanging plants. Additionally, Overstock helpfully marks some plants as “high satisfaction,” such as this Studio 350 Croton Plant with multicolored leaves and a complete profile or this four-foot Christopher Knight Monstera Tree with a realistic-looking trunk and twisted branches.
Overstock offers sale and clearance filtering options and has a large Sales & Deals area. Most recently, a section named “Gifts for Plant Lovers” had various alternatives made of artificial plants. Like other significant stores, you should know what you want before visiting Overstock. Alternatively, give yourself time and patience to sort through the alternatives.
Website : https://www.overstock.com/
Pros:
- Low costs
- a vast selection
- Shipping is accessible to the lower 48 states.
Cons:
- Quality may differ.
10. World Market:
Around 250 World Market locations may be found in nearly 40 states. This company was founded in San Francisco in the 1950s. Additionally, they offer a comprehensive website that is simple to navigate. Their selection of artificial plants includes trees, succulents, strings of bananas, aloe, and more minor, specific things like wreaths and stems. Davis, who prefers the 72-inch tree because the mass is concentrated at the top, describes the entire fiddle fig selection at World Market as a “hidden weapon” used frequently. She explains that if your furniture is wall-to-wall, it will keep the lower area more open.
There is a small selection. However, the plants are unique and come in strange containers (like the Set of Faux Succulents in Geo Ceramic Pots or the Faux Philodendron Birkin Plant in White-Striped Pot). Repotting artificial plants is a typical trick to make them feel more unique, but you won’t necessarily find yourself doing it with your new purchase. You can receive promotions like a birthday discount, 15% off your first order, and 10% off curbside pickups if you sign up for World Market Rewards.
Website : https://www.worldmarket.com/
Pros:
- Realistic and superior options
- reasonable costs
- Regular sales
Cons:
- Minimal choice
- No shipments to Hawaii or Alaska
How do I decorate with fake plants?
Whether you choose classic décor or modern design, fake greenery may easily fit in with any home decor. For a natural appearance, Wayfair advises placing your plant in natural light, along with adding succulents, ivy, or branches to the bathroom or guest room as “effortless decor.” Think of combining real and fake flowers and stems, and consider adding dirt to the pot for a lifelike touch (especially when sprucing up your bar cart or shelves with fake plants).
What qualities should fake plants have?
Choose affordable purchases: If you want to save money on fake plants, choose a store that offers inexpensive pricing. Finding a website that focuses on inexpensive home decor will help narrow your options because fake plants come in various pricing ranges.
Go for a realistic appearance: Contemporary artificial plants frequently resemble real ones. Choose more organic elements, such as potted foliage with the earth around the base or more delicate textured alternatives, and avoid glossy leaves or synthetic raindrops.
Remember your pot: Changing the pot on your fake plant is complicated and occasionally impossible. Buy a product you’ll like in the long run.
Remember to take the dust. Since artificial plants don’t receive any water to renew their leaves, you must dust plants, especially fake ones. Avoid imitation plants with intricate decorations because they could be more challenging to maintain over time, making them appear false.
