The best artificial plants should be nearly undetectable as a faux alternative to a living plant. With this in mind, we selected the Nearly Natural 6ft Ficus Artificial Plant as our Top Pick. We liked that this faux ficus gives you the lush presence of this popular tree without the headache and work. This is one of the best lawn and garden investments that you can make.
To create our guide of the best artificial plants, we focused on the following core features: material, detailing, flexibility, and durability. We know that while silk and plastic are the most common materials used, plastic artificial plants offer more durability and can be easier to maintain with a simple dusting now and then. Keep reading to learn more about other fantastic artificial plants available for purchase.
Top 7 Best Artificial Plants
#1 Nearly Natural 6ft Ficus Artificial Plant
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A luxury artificial plant ficus that’s made with over 1,008 leaves for a lush appearance without the fuss of caring for a real ficus tree.
Read Full Review: Nearly Natural 5209 Ficus Silk Tree
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- Over 1,008 leaves for a lush, full appearance
- Gives you the beauty of a ficus without the difficult upkeep
- Measures 6’ tall and 35” wide
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- Silk leaves may reduce overall longevity of this plant
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Ficus trees are notorious for being very hard to care for in your home. Even if you put them in the right location, with the perfect amount of light, and water them per their care instructions, it’s not uncommon to see a ficus missing leaves and looking sickly. If you’re tired of that frustration, then this artificial ficus tree from Nearly Natural is the perfect solution.
This luxury artificial plant stands six feet tall with a plumage of silk leaves that measures 35 inches wide and deep. We like that this brand promises that every ficus tree they create is made with no less than 1,008 leaves to help give the ficus that enviable lush look that everyone loves. However, keep in mind that the leaves are made from silk, so avoid leaving the plant in a location where it will frequently come into direct sunlight as that can cause premature fading. If you’re looking for a place to set your new plant, take a look at our guide to the best accent table.
#2 Butterfly Craze Artificial Lavender Artificial Plants
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A vibrant set of artificial lavender plants that come with adorable rustic planters for an instant boost to your home or tablescape decor.
Read Full Review: Butterfly Craze Artificial Lavender Centerpieces
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- No additional styling needed
- Beautiful flowering design
- Great for a rustic decor scheme
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- Made from silk so may not have as much longevity
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Lavender is beautiful, but not everyone likes the smell of this flowering plant. The solution is this cute set of lavender artificial plants from Butterfly Craze. The bold purple hue will look great against a range of decor schemes including shabby chic and country farmhouse themes or kitchen dining tables.
Most specifically, we like that this model comes as a two-piece set of lavender blooms, each with a rustic planter. Each artificial plant measures nine inches tall with the planters measuring five inches long and four inches wide. Note that these artificial flowers are made from silk so sunlight should be avoided. Our guide to the best window day/night film for privacy may help with this problem.
#3 LuckyGreenery Artificial Plant Succulents
Award: BEST FOR SMALL SPACES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A cute trio of succulents that are the perfect way to add a bit of green to your environment when space is limited, with a design that avoids toxic materials.
Read Full Review: Artificial Succulents Realistic Decoration
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- Made from non-toxic PE & EVA material
- 3-piece set of miniature succulents
- Low maintenance, only requires occasional dusting
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- Some people may not like that the planter is plastic
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Whether you’re working in a tight cubicle and need to spruce it up, or you lack a lot of counter space in your home to dedicate to plants, these miniature succulents are the perfect solution. We think they’re the best bet for small spaces because each one measures no more than 3.5 inches wide.
Specifically, you’ll receive a faux aloe, echeveria laui, and haworthia coarctata f. greenie plant. Each plant varies in height from four to 4.5 inches. And while the included planter is plastic, we do like that it’s made to mimic the look of pottery or marble for a touch of class. You may want to hang these plants on one of the best cabinet hangers.
#4 ElaDeco Artificial Plant Boxwood Stems
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: People who know how to make artificial plants look real know that opting for individual stems is better for creating more realistic arrangements, that is why this artificial plant is perfect for DIY arrangements indoors or outdoors.
Read Full Review: ElaDeco Artificial Farmhouse Decoration
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- Perfect for creating DIY arrangements
- Ideal for outdoor use
- 7-pack set of stems
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- Not ideal for someone seeking pre-arranged plants
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If this isn’t your first artificial plant rodeo, then you probably already know that opting for individual stems is usually a better bet — especially if you like making arrangements. This seven-piece set of Boxwood stems helps more experienced decorators to make artificial plants look real by giving them the freedom to create unique arrangements.
This option features a highly realistic design, making this one of the most realistic artificial outdoor plants on the market. It is one of the best fake plants for outdoors because it is rated for use in outdoor environments. Each stem measures 13.78 inches long and is flexible so that it won’t limit your creativity. If you’re looking to upgrade your furniture altogether, take a look at our guide to the best furniture repair markers.
#5 MyGift Set of 3 Artificial Plants
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: These are the best artificial plants in our research since they mimic the look of real plants but also come in beautiful decorative glass vases so no further arranging is necessary.
Read Full Review: MyGift Artificial Plants Tabletop Greenery
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- Includes a taro, lotus, and clover variety
- Comes with glass pots
- Comes with a microfiber polishing cloth
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- Silk leaves may not be ideal for placement in sunlight
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If you’re picking artificial plants, you might be short on time. So, that means not only do you not have time to water a plant, but you also might not have time to deal with things like arrangements and picking the perfect planters either. This is why we included this option from MyGift as our Best Quality recommendation because we feel they are the best artificial plants.
This three-piece set features three silk-based plants that are set in glass pots. And that takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect vase or pot for your plants. Another nice feature is that this set comes with a microfiber polishing cloth. So, you’ll never have an excuse not to keep your faux plants dusted! These plants would look perfect in your office next to your best floating bookshelves.
#6 Vickerman 4’ Capensia Bush Artificial Plant
Award: BEST FOR ENTRYWAYS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A beautiful shrub that is perfect for adding a pop of color to your entryway or as an accent for your indoor patio.
Read Full Review: Capensia Bush Square Willow Container
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- A colorful shrub that brightens any home
- 4’ tall bush that comes with a container
- Varying foliage to mimic the look of a living plant
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- Silk leaves means you should avoid placing this in direct sunlight
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Colorful shrubs are a great way to add a pop of color to your home decor scheme without relying on flowering plants. While this option only measures four feet tall, we like that if purchased in pairs, it creates the perfect greeting for an entryway or near indoor patio doorways.
The pretty green and magenta leaves help to create visual interest. And the square container features a woven pattern that also helps to create a more sophisticated look that feels properly put together. However, again these are a silk-based artificial plant option. So direct sunlight should be avoided. You may also want to get the best wheelbarrow for carrying the plants atound your lawn.
#7 Nearly Natural Green Sansevieria Artificial Plant
Award: BEST FOR LIVING AREAS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sleek striped plant that serves as a conversation piece and is meant to serve as a stand out item that helps to finish your decor scheme, with a design that maximizes longevity.
Read Full Review: Nearly Natural 4855 Sansevieria Plant
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- Long-lasting materials means it will be durable for years
- Stands almost 3’ tall
- Comes in a black planter for instant decor solution
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- Not ideal for outdoor use
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If you like all of your decor to serve as a conversation piece, then this recommendation from Nearly Natural is the perfect fit. The sansevieria artificial plant is a unique looking option that stands almost three feet tall and is only seven inches wide. That means it’s perfect for sliding next to a couch or in tight spaces where wider plants wouldn’t make sense.
Another nice feature is that this plant comes with a minimalist black planter, making it great for placement straight out of the box. While this plant can’t be used outside, the full set of 28 leaves helps to make this plant look healthy. And you’ll appreciate that it only requires an occasional dusting to stay fresh.
Related: Investing in the best backpack sprayer can be a great way to keep your plants healthy.
How We Decided
Artificial plants are a great option for people who don’t have the time, ability, or interest to care for living plants. To create our guide, we focused on the following features — material, detailing, flexibility, and durability. You’ll note that we have a nearly even split of silk and plastic-based artificial plants on our shortlist.
We did like that our recommendations all looked lifelike and often featured intricate detailing that helped to make them look more believable. Only one of our recommendations came as individual stems, so it was the only one that offered flexibility for creating individual arrangements. This was also the same option that was the only artificial plant that was officially rated for outdoor use.
And finally, we focused on general durability. While silk based artificial plants don’t have as much longevity as a plastic artificial plant, the options we highlighted are designed to last as long as you don’t place them in an area where they routinely receive direct sunlight, and you regularly dust them.
Best Artificial Plants Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Material
These days you can pick between silk and plastic. Silk often gets a bad rap because it’s more prone to show wear and tear such as frayed leaves or petals. In contrast, many experts recommend plastic because these options look more realistic, can achieve more vivid colors, and even better mimic the texture of real plants thanks to mold injection production processes. - Detailing
Most people are buying artificial plants because they want to mimic the beauty of having plants but maybe don’t have the time or interest to invest in caring for live plants. So, if your goal is to “sell” the idea that you have living plants in your home, avoid overly shiny finishes or artificial plants designed with water droplets on them. These look incredibly fake and will be an instant “tell” for anyone who enters your home that your plants aren’t real. Also avoid artificial plants that look too perfect, as they can look less natural depending on how they’re styled. - Flexibility
If you’re buying artificial plants as individual stems, you’ll want to look for options that include bendable wire stems so you can easily create your arrangements. - Durability
In general, artificial plants are extremely durable. But with silk plants, sunlight can prematurely fade the stems or petals. This is another reason why plastic artificial plants are often preferred — because aside from occasional dusting — they’re incredibly durable. If you’re looking for plants that can be used outside, look for key features such as UV resistance or weather resistance.
