Fake Plants That Look Real: Scrutinizing the Artificial Greenery

The web is full of choices, great or worse, but it is the buyer who either uses their faultfinding or arcane skills to buy new articles. Addressing this, I started my product review series, which, to be honest, is a little irregular, as I classify myself in the first category – making them smoochingly perfect. Today, as I recover from the coma of my society’s mess and clean it through the sophisticated greenery, I recognize the need for artificial plants. Don’t get me wrong; I love my parking and my exteriors that are flooded with areca, ficus, perfectly warming sunflowers, and more plants, but there are still corners you require to be fulfilled and pay little to no attention to them. Here’s where my plastic friends come to help – fake plants that look real. Without any further ado, let me begin with how I designed this list and why it is the only one on the web that is literally going to assist you with your next artificial plants purchase.

Before we start, here’s a word from the sponsor of this article, without whom this article wouldn’t have existed.

How I Chose Fake Plants That Look Real?

It is easy to say that artificial plants are commonly made of plastic. Yes, their chemical compositions may vary, but plastic is plastic, and what matters is whether or not they really are fake plants that look real. To establish this factor, I considered the following factors.

1. The Making.

I am a huge fan of details, and one of the things that should assess the quality and looks of any artificial plant should be their pigments, texture, and shape accuracy. Like most living things, plants have a unique composition and surface texture, and above all, the leaves, though similar in shape, show variance through withering or other factors.

To simplify, let me take two ficusses—Ficus benjamina and Ficus retusa—as an example. While these two may have a lot in common, their leaves have differences in texture, shape, and color. You can note these in the following picture.

Knowing the importance of these three, I used a comparison strategy to understand the quality and the company’s research toward making the best artificial plants. Each review will distinguish the fake plant from a real plant and evaluate its making through the three components.

2. Reviews.

Questioning a real review is almost overtrusting a brand, something I do not recommend for even the highest-rated company or product. At the same time, we have discussed in my previous product reviews that finding a real review is almost like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, after finding the right ones, I formulated a webwork that told me the pros and cons of the product.

3. Budget.

The most important one is budget because we do not want to spend too much on artificial plants when we can get innovative planters, UV light, and a beautiful tree. Keeping this in mind, let’s proceed with a handful of the best artificial plants on the web.

7 Best Artificial Plants That Will Trick Your Eyes.

1. Golden Pothos by The Sill.

Some of the favorite plants that thrive inside the home and require less maintenance are pothos, but it is also safe to say that these plants cannot be left without water or care for too long. Further, I have witnessed a certain attraction between spiders and the messy stems of pothos. To recover from these factors, I searched for numerous artificial pothos plants, and from all, The Sill stands apart with its higher score on the scale to look real.

When subjected to a comparison, the color of the artificial pothos and real pothos is uncannily similar. I do not see much difference in terms of color, and the surface replicates the spots too well.

Speaking of the texture, one thing that I don’t like about this plant is the appearance of microscopic texture, similar to that of any cotton or silk cloth. Though it must not be visible in real life from a certain distance, it is a feature that is completely contrary to the leaves of pothos, which are generally shiny and smooth. The plant further lacks details of veins, which again is not a dealbreaker as it compensates for it through its patterns and color.

In terms of shape, the leaves are rightly distinguishable and a few are bent to give the cluster a real look, helping to make the Golden Pothos by The Sill a fake plant that looks real.

I think it can make a really good artificial plant and with proper cleaning can trick most your visitors, at the same time add quite an elegance to the interiors.

2. Ficus Tree by The Plants Project.

If you have read my previous reviews, you know how much I prefer buying from industry experts and there are always benefits for that, such as their precision in design, the use of materials as per research and not just trend, as well as their customer support. When I started looking for my favorite tree, ficus, I found numerous on the web, among which this artificial tree by The Plants Project stood apart. Let’s learn how.

For starters, the color of this artificial tree is not that impressive, especially because it walks at a turtle’s speed to imitate the light green color of a real weeping fig or Ficus benjamina. At the same time, I feel it compensates for it through the varying color composition, doing a decent job of making them seem real. If I were to compare it with any other artificial Ficus tree, I would definitely pick the artificial Ficus tree by NDI. However, it is just too expensive to replace The Plants Project.

One of the things that I specifically admire about this artificial tree is the detailing of the veins, which is again not as real when observed from near, but should look magnificent when you cluster it with other artificial plants, hopefully from this list. At the same time, it should be noted that, like a real weeping fig, The Plants Project gave smoothness to the surface of the leaves, further enhancing their look.

Speaking of the shape, I think it showcases excellent details with the presence of real-looking foliage. One of the areas that I really like and is too rare to find for such a complex plant is obviously how the branches look – varying shades of brown and green as well as the changing width on both of the main stems.

3. Boston Fern by Pottery Barn 

Ferns utterly fascinate me as they make any place feel as if we are in the midst of forests or something. Having the potential to make any atmosphere serene and inviting; whenever I wonder about ferns, I always get absorbed by the exteriors of Judith’s house from the Two and Half Men series, which is filled with a perfect seating, petunias, ferns, and of course a tree by the door. Though they create a peculiarly beautiful and complete look, it is very strenuous to maintain them. That goes for ferns even more, which by the way isn’t easily manageable. I have brought Boston Fern several times by myself, and trust me, it needs a hell of care. This is when Pottery Barn’s Boston Fern steps in, which looks almost next to real.

Without any doubt, Pottery Barn does an impressive job reproducing the colors for this faux Boston fern. It compares too well with the real plant and though it is on a darker note, I think the right arrangement can improve your ploy of making it appear completely real. One of the points that I like about this fake plant is the presence of a brown shade on stems, showcasing the characteristic of a real plant, it is as if your artificial plant is asking for water.

In enhancing the texture of this artificial plant, Pottery Barn highlighted the details to the maximum, making the plant appear a little bit “more real,” if you understand what I am saying. Other than that, I feel it looks charming, though again, it doesn’t appear to be as smooth as a real Boston Fern.

In terms of shape, I see no deal-breakers. The leaves are perfectly curled and clustered. Further, they have the shape of the real Boston Fern. Even when I call this faux plant enhance it is definitely a pick over the other fake Boston Ferns.

4. Double Pink Edge Variegated Rubber Tree by House of Silk Flowers.

Replicating leafing is one of the details you should look for in an artificial plant. In fact, when searching for fake plants that look real, I keenly looked at leafing and while there are several makers who attempt adding this component to their artificial plants, they lag at doing it with perfection or crafting the foliage or leaves or any other detail with the right accuracy. Contrary to this, House of Silk Flowers’ Variegated rubber tree, does it right.

House of Silk Flowers does a pretty great job in producing the pigments of green and white, so much so that they look no less than a real variegated rubber tree. At the same time, what I found not accurate is the pink pigmentation on the leaves. It is as if the pink is restricted to the leafy borders and does not extend to the middle region of the leaves, similar to what you see in a real tree.

Coming to the texture of the leaves and stem, this artificial tree has least to no concern in both regions. However, I somehow found that the stem is a little too overdone, is that something you feel too?

Last but not least, the leaves are not curled for a completely real look, but I do not feel it is a dealbreaker they can act like perfectly trimmed and maintained variegated rubber trees. If styled rightly, this must be the best artificial plant you can invest in.

5. Snake by Threshold.

Getting artificial plants such as snake, figs, bamboo palms and other species that thrive indoors is one of the wisest choices you can make. Because, let’s be honest, who would believe that you are growing a rose plant in a room without any altered conditions? Knowing this, I was keenly looking for snake plants and when I came across Threshold, my search was over.

Indeed a positive factor – Snake are available in a variety of shades of green and using this opportunity, Threshold paid attention to the detailing alongside a darker color of green. When I first showed this plant to Mahima, she instantly replied, “It’s just like ours” and here’s a picture that will tell you what you should expect. One thing that I can guarantee is that with the right setting, these snakes are the best artificial plants that you are looking for.

Looking at the product pictures, I found that there is a presence of a certain texture, contrary to the flat nature of real Snake plants. However, a real-life picture of the same artificial plant shows a complete change of game and I strongly think this can make the perfect interior plant, one that you don’t need to take care of.

There are no features exhibiting the aging of the leaf, but seriously how much can I ask for this price? It is amusing to see other artificial snake plants fail spectacularly at imaging such patterns on the leaf, and even the colors look off. For instance, one by Artiplanto makes me think – there cannot be anything faker than this.

6. Flowers by Dex In Floral.

When talking about fake plants that look real, most people on the web forget about our floral buddies. Learning from this mistake, I took to the web to find the perfect fake flowers, and staging their work with such accuracy, Dex In Floral won the spot without any doubt. Before I begin their review though, you should read the flower arrangement guide by Mahima to create a fabulous look that is meant to last.

Let’s examine the color and you will see that these flowers come nearest to the colors of a real flower. When compared to even luxurious artificial plants like the ones from NDI, they really are the sweet spot. The designers have also worked on the detailing of the stems and their color of light green for some and a darker shade for others only adds up to the accuracy of these artificial plants, although there are still improvements that can be made on stems. At the same time, I feel that these colors are a little too pretty and need a careful arrangement with the right amount of greenery. This way they can make a delightful centerpiece.

Speaking of texture, most companies produce fake flowers with certain textures and forget how real flowers have smooth surfaces. This is something Dex In Floral keeps in mind and adore a flawless look on their fake flowers. However, one of the things that I don’t necessarily like about these flowers is their stems. For instance, the stems of roses have no texture and are almost too smooth. Further, the thorns clearly look plastic. The pictures will help you understand what I am trying to say.

Again, the shape of the petals is perfect and I will leave the leaves out for this review as the cluster of these stems looks decent.

Even if I ignore the attractive pricing of these fake flowers, Dex In Floral clearly has a spot on my best artificial plants list.

7. Palmmix by IKEA.

If you want to add volume through fake plants, I recommend getting an areca palm from Ikea. Hear me out, I came across multiple fake palms and one of the closest ones to the real areca would be Palmmix by Ikea. It doesn’t only offer the details that make it perfect but is also modestly priced.

I am completely satisfied with the color of this artificial plant and it is the variance of green, brown, and even the presence of white for stem shedding. The color is unlike Nearly Natural’s darker tone and reminds me of the areca I have.

When looked closely, this artificial plant has a smooth surface, similar to the real plant. The leaves are so detailed that you can see that like a real areca, it has spots and the veins complete its necessary look.

Last but not least, the shape of the leaves is perfectly commissioned fashioned and the foliage has a mixed and clustered look which is a characteristic of this plant.

Fake Plants That I Did Not Like.

To be honest, this section does not have an end. As much as I feel good that we have fake plants that look real, I am equally surprised by a few companies that do not keep up with their names. These are some of the largely known brands and a few of them have been reviewed positively but here’s where they lack.

1. Snake Sansevieria by Artiplanto.

With an unnatural look, Artiplanto fails with a plastic look, almost too cheap looking, and it is as if someone has freehanded a paintbrush on this snake plant, just to call it an artificial snake.

2. Golden Cane Palm by Nearly Natural.

Tingling my nerves, this artificial plant is no more than a plastic structure that has been molded to look like a palm. It has no detailing when it comes to the leaves, though anatomically its stem and foliage replicates that of the real palm.

3. Bird of Paradise by West Elm.

Unlike the cane palm by Nearly Natural, West Elm does a pretty decent job at adding details to the leaves of their artificial Bird of Paradise but fails spectacularly when a plant lover spots how the trunk of this artificial plant is not accurate.

Make Your Fake Plant Look Really Real.

Your plastic buddies are just to make your unbrightened place a little more sophisticated but adding them alone doesn’t fix everything. These plants require adjustments, so that they do not appear negative and look as real as it can get. Here are tips that can work as additional efforts and make your dream look come true.

1. First and foremost, make the soil in your pot appear more realistic by adding small stones. This gives the impression that the soil is supposed to hold moisture, but it is merely a trick.
2. Add a little light over it to create an accent in your surroundings. Moreover, these lights will enhance the ambiance of the area rather than directing all attention to the artificial plants. Note that these lights can appear as both grow light or ambient lights that reflect on surfaces such as the wall where you keep your artificial plants.
3. Next, always keep in mind that you pair the plants in the set of three- one shorter one like jade, one a little tall like Dracena, and the other with a volume like Boston fern. This creates a complete look. A similar thing can be done in arranging these artificial plants. However, ensure you include at least one real plant to convincingly imply that even artificial ones are real. This detail not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also sparks curiosity in the viewer. One of the great stores where you can buy fake plants that look real and purpose them to add volume by faux vertical gardens.

Final Words.

By now, you might have already picked the right fake plant for you or at least have an idea of what to expect, how to pick fake plants that look real, and how to style them for your desired outcome. It should also be noted that even these companies cannot fully be trusted for each of their collection. For instance, some of them might manufacture a great fiddle leaf fake plant but may go dull while making ferns. So you should note that it is necessary to conduct your own research and maybe follow three element steps – Color, Texture, and Shape.