How to Decorate with Fake Plants

Fake plants have had a bad reputation. For some people, they think artificials look “cheap” or look too fake, and perhaps tacky. This is because we grew up in the 1970s and ’80s with memories of seeing that old dusty fake vinyl Houseplant on the corner table at our grandma’s house. Or that $20.00 store bought thin fabric flower arrangement at the Doctor’s office. You know that one you’ve seen year after year, untouched, collecting dust, and missing another leaf or flower each time you visit? Yes, that one.

However, artificial plants have come a very, very long way.

We will let you in on a little secret. Even well-known expert Designer Joanna Gaines from “Fixer Upper” uses artificial plants! If you take a closer look at her designs on the show, you will see she ALWAYS uses faux flowers and plants. She is known for bringing the outdoors inside or the inside outdoors! When Joanna was asked why she told CountryLiving.com “Every space needs some movement. I think artificial plants and flowers offer whimsy to a space. If you look at the space without it, it looks like it’s missing something.” Even talented gardeners like Joanna use faux plants. That being said, Designers who choose to decorate or landscape your client’s homes or offices with artificial plants you should follow some simple advice.

You will need to commit to top-shelf materials. Only the very best quality artificial plants will make everyone think you have a green thumb. The best faux plants tend to be better quality than your go-to budget-friendly craft stores, therefore, you should be ready to spend a little more money. (Don’t worry, you won’t have to break the bank)! Keep in mind, this plant will look beautiful and last a very long time. Not to mention, you won’t have to do much to maintain it. (Nothing a little Silk Shampoo or light dusting can’t fix).

There are many types of faux plants, flowers, and trees. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:
Artificial Succulents

For Higher End, Long-Term Options for Exterior Landscapes, you will want to invest in Polyblend® Outdoor Artificials. Polyblend® is derived from a premium proprietary resin formula that is used to enhance the performance of outdoor artificial foliage by 100% year-round. Polyblend® UV artificial foliage, with its pliability and durability, and solid construction our material is weather-resistant and won't fade in harsh UV climates like Florida or Arizona. Additionally, as quality plastic material, Polyblend® uses toxic-free additives and environmentally safe! The main benefits of buying Polyblend® are:

  • FireSafe is available for High Profile / High Traffic areas
  • Environmentally Safe and Recyclable!
  • Best in Industry for Hard to Grow Areas
  • Blends beautifully with Live Foliage
  • Variety of Colorful Plant & Flower Options are Now Available
  • Low Maintenance: No Watering, Easy to Clean Requires
  • 5 Year Limited Fade Warranty
Additionally, we have many options in our Polyblend® category. Such as:

For customers with short term needs ourLimited UV selection is a perfect choice. We offer a “Limited UV” line of artificial foliage for clients in need of exterior artificial plants on a short term basis with minimal fading for about 6 months up to 2 years. It’s a perfect and budget-friendly option for designers who like to change designs annually or transform displays seasonally. Autograph’s Limited UV faux plant line includes:

  • Quality material fortified with standard UV Inhibitors
  • Natural-looking, colorful plants with added realism
  • Budget-friendly and minimal to no visible fading from 6 mos to 24 mos.
Artificial Succulents
Artificial Succulents

There are a few key elements to look for in plastic or silk faux plants or faux flowers. You will want to look for:

  • Real looking, synthetic trunk and branches. Most realistic looking trunks are hand-painted. No two trunks are alike
  • Imperfect synthetic leaves are silk-screened on high-quality fabric (polyester) material. Faux leaves are fabricated to mimic “real” or “living” leaves with imperfections but with natural lines or veins or textured leaves.
  • Overall construction - Well-made faux plants are mostly hand-made (not all done by machine). Construction is solid, leaf detents are thick and strong, branches are sturdy (no breakage).
  • Material & Color Technology: Advancements in molding fabrics and coloring have greatly improved fake flowers today. Overall appearances of artificial flower and their colors such as; blending of similar shades of color - blues, reds, pinks, or purples can now closely imitate that of a natural living flower.
By now hopefully, you understand why artificial plants are so popular right now. There are many advantages to buying them and absolutely no disadvantages. If they look real enough for celebrity designer Joanna Gaines to use in every house she designs, then surely the rest of us can benefit from using them.
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