How To Choose A Fake Plant That Looks Most Like The Real Thing

Houseplants are not for everyone. If greenery always tends to die on you, or if you have small fur babies that will immediately chomp down on anything living you bring into your home, you may be tempted to ditch the real things for fake plants. However, fake plants can look pretty bad if you don't pick them wisely. There are so many artificial plants out there, and to spot the fake plants that look more realistic, you need to watch out for a few things. Firstly, detail is super important here. In nature, plants don't really have a solid block color. Instead, they have different shades, patterns, and detailing within the leaves. Look for artificial plants that have this too for the best effect. When examining the details of the artificial plant, you should also consider the size and shape of the leaves. You rarely see houseplants with leaves all the same size and shape, so the fake plants should also have this diversity and irregularity within them. 

Moreover, the material the artificial plant is made of is incredibly important as well. Glossy leaves may look attractive in the shop, but as soon as you bring the plant into your home, they make the plant scream fake. That's why matte is the way to go. Avoid that hard plastic and go for silk, latex, or polyethylene instead. Shop around and try to visit stores to get a feel of the fake plants before buying. You may need to spend a little bit more cash to get the best artificial plants, but it will be worth it once your indoor jungle is looking amazing! Going cheap is a mistake everyone makes when buying fake plants, so it helps to think of them as investment pieces you will have forever. 

Buying the right product is just half the work when it comes to making fake plants look real. Where you place the plant in your home and how you style it can be the difference between tacky fakeness and elegance. You don't want to put your fake plant in the center of your living room, close to where people sit. Instead, look at what you can do to blend it into your surroundings. If you have some real houseplants, pop your fake ones in among them, layering them together to create a seamless display of rich greenery. If you don't, consider choosing some low-maintenance houseplants you can bring in. You should also place them in realistic spots. Where a fake plant is placed can be a huge giveaway. Most plants don't really thrive in gloomy corners, so avoid placing your fake ones in dark locations. Sunny bright spots and windowsills are great locations for fake plants. 

Pick simple pots and containers for your fake plants. Woven baskets or ceramics in earthy tones bring that natural feeling into your home, meaning that your fake plants won't stand out as much. Once you have your location and container for your artificial greenery, take your time positioning the leaves and stems. If there are wires within the plant, bend them in a way that looks natural. Having a photo of a real plant up can help guide you with this. Last but not least, clean your fake plants regularly to ensure that they are looking as good as they can be, using soft cloths, brushes, and soap.