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After watching too many family Reno shows during the pandemic, I began to believe that the living room is not worth living unless there is a large leafy plant next to the sofa. Absurd, I know, especially considering that my apartment is far from the grandiose "open concept" and "lots of light". At that time I became obsessed with the world of artificial plants. Lush violin leaf figs. Beach palm trees. In the artificial forest, everything is possible, or so it seems. Facts have proved that even the most beautiful choices on the Internet are often not satisfactory in real life. Nevertheless, if you are willing to control expectations, we have found some good options such as artificial money trees, violin-leaf figs, bird of paradise, palm trees and monstera.
I searched retail sites and carefully reviewed the reviews. I ordered promising samples from Amazon and popular artificial plant sites. I have visited the windows of home furnishing stores, including IKEA, CB2, Pottery Barn, Target and West Elm.
I entered this project with high expectations-the experts I interviewed and all the blogs I read convinced me that fake plants have made great progress in recent years. However, so far, I have not been shocked by my choice.
The prices of real trees and artificial trees vary widely (depending on the type and size of the tree, its quality, and where you shop), so it is difficult to make direct comparisons. A live 3-gallon violin-leaf fig tree (2 to 3 feet tall) from Home Depot sells for about $90, and it may grow to about 7 feet. At Bloomscape, a live 3 to 4 foot violin leaf fig is $250 (including a $45 pot). Home Depot’s 2¼-foot Real Touch artificial violin-leaf fig tree (we didn’t test it) costs about $55. In West Elm, fake varieties of similar size usually sell for around US$80.
Generally speaking, higher-priced artificial trees look more realistic than cheaper ones. But even if a $200 fake tree looks more convincing than a $100 fake tree, I wouldn't say that the more expensive tree is twice as good. Due to the extraordinary frugality, I started looking for some reasonably priced artificial trees (less than $200, if possible, less than $100), which I would proudly display at home. Everything else seems too steep, especially for things that are painful to return. This list is not comprehensive, but I will add it as I continue shopping.
Because large plants, whether real or fake, can be expensive, it is important to be honest with yourself. Are you a serial killer? Are you full of needs for a certain Instagram darling that you and your family climate cannot satisfy? Only real things can look and feel absolutely real. Can you accept this unpleasant fact? If you answered yes to one or more of them, then you might consider growing artificial plants. In addition, if you are allergic or have the potential to endanger real plant children or pets (and vice versa), then inorganic natural alternatives may be worth considering.
But maybe you will get fun and satisfaction from cultivating green plants-just water the plants like this, stick to the rough patches of dead leaves, and place it in a place where the light is right (even if it’s not a dead corner in a corner or on a bookshelf) ) Try to fill) and let your home environment (not the shelter blog) determine the type of plants you buy. If that is you, then you must buy a real plant.
CB2 Artificial Money Tree ($200 for a 5-foot-tall tree at the time of publication)
What we like: Fake trees with smaller leaves are easier to pass like real trees. "The bigger the leaf, the more obvious the error. In addition, our eyes are trained to recognize the difference between fiber material and plastic," Marc Hachadourian, director of greenhouse gardening at the New York Botanic Garden, told me. The large number of leaves on the 5-foot artificial money tree (Pachira Aquatica) of CB2 has some nice details and slight sheen, similar to what you find in the live version. Although it is not 100% lifelike, this tree does bring to life the otherwise boring showroom.
What we don’t like: The feel of the leaves reminds me of the texture of those tear-resistant packaging envelopes. Moreover, like the leaves of most fake plants, the leaves are not as curved as real plants. After careful inspection, the suitcase also looks very plastic. The price of this plant is also on the verge of the highest price I paid for artificial trees. (On Bloomscape, a beautiful small live version sells for about $170.) Just as you would use other whole leafy trees, expect to spend some time dusting this tree. Legend has it that planting a money tree at home will bring you good luck-but there is no news about the effects of artificial varieties. We also don’t like shipping costs as high as $90, but CB2 does offer the option of free pick-up from one of the stores.
Bottom line: If you have a budget, we think the appearance of this cash cow trumps its plastic texture. Fortunately, if you have a CB2 near you, you can view this tree in the store before you shell out all the cash. However, this tree is indeed packed in a cheap plastic jar-it is a dead gift without life. So it is best to put it in a woven basket or ceramic pot.
Material: plastic and iron Size: 60 x 26 x 26 inches Return policy: within 90 days after the customer receives the shipping: basic shipping is $89, free in-store pickup
Near-natural real-touch violin-leaf artificial tree (a 54-inch tree at the time of publication is about $85)
What we like: The popularity of this Instagram favorite variety may have reached its peak, but I still like the fussy violin-leaf fig (Ficus lyrata), which comes from the rainforests of West Africa. In my opinion, this special fake option is enough, and the lovely thing is that it looks directly from Lorax. From a foot away, the tops of the leaves look very vivid—especially when the light passes through them. When I showed Plantshed's senior design manager Ralph Portillano and project manager Rebekah Gross the "trees" on Zoom, they noticed enough detail and shiny finishes that resembled the waxy appearance of real figs.
What we don’t like: As we found in most of the large leaf plants we’ve checked (including the $200 5-foot artificial potted violin-leaf fig from West Elm and the $50 IKEA version under 5 feet), when When there is no sunlight, the almost natural leaves look completely flat and artificial.
The "real touch" claims of Nearly Natural trees seem to refer to the "real" feeling of children's inflatable rafts, not the feeling of tropical leaves. Annoyingly, the manufacturer's website calls its factory "silk". However, its FAQ-quite vaguely-admits that although today's artificial plants have evolved from real silk plants, most of them are composed of "high-quality plastics and other man-made materials."
The leaf we received directly from Nearly Natural had small holes in several leaves. Not sure if these holes resemble leaves eaten by bugs, we contacted Nearly Natural; two months have passed and we still haven't received an explanation. We also want to ask why the veins of a few leaves peel off easily at the tips-did we get a useless specimen? There is no seamless visual transition between leaves and branches. Small plastic pots are also a sure sign of fakes, so you may want to find a better one to put your tree in. Due to our poor experience with the Nearly Natural website, we recommend ordering products from this company on Amazon, so you have better customer service and replacement options.
Bottom line: If you spend a lot of close time on this plant, it may frustrate you, just like the leaves on a real plant brown. But we haven't found a large size violin leaf that really makes us look and feel real. At least the nearly natural version costs less than half of the 5-foot-long price of West Elm or Artiplanto (the latter keeps tipping over and has a strong chemical smell right out of the box).
Material: may be plastic and polyester (the website lacks exact description and did not return to Nearly Natural's phone and email) Dimensions: 54 x 19 x 19 inches Return Policy: Full refund within 30 days after receipt (from Amazon) Shipping: Free Prime membership; about $25 without membership
Target's Threshold Artificial Violin Leaf Plant ($40 for 32-inch plants at the time of publication)
What we like: If you don't mind the smaller violin leaf figs, you can consider the 2ft 8in threshold artificial violin leaf plant from Target. It has details similar to those of almost natural plants, and it costs only $40, with a stronger structure (plus an elegant ceramic pot). Compared with Nearly Natural's inflatable toy-like texture, I prefer its harder feel. Target's return policy (you have one year to get a refund) is more customer friendly. Of all the trees I tested and ordered, this is the one I really bought for myself.
What we don't like: This plant can be said to look more like plastic. Some people might say that Target’s plants are shaky due to kitsch. But I find it very cute, especially when it sits behind me during a Zoom call.
Material: Polyester Size: 32 x 17 x 20 inches Return Policy: Full refund within 365 days after purchase Shipping: Free
Artiplanto Zapo artificial bird of paradise potted plant ($165 for a 3-foot plant at the time of publication)
What we like: The leaf detail of this sun-loving bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) we ordered looks almost painted, even under the leaf-so you might think it is a work of art. In addition, “leaf cracks, an evolutionary feature that allows wind to pass through, make plants look more like real plants,” Léon & George’s master gardener Vickie Christensen told me. The real bark is contained on the stem to get a real appearance. The texture, that feels like corn husks, is less objectionable than most.
What we don’t like: Like many trees we’ve examined, the middle ribs (veins protruding in the center of the leaves) look very elastic. Although the texture of the leaves feels a bit organic at least, they lack luster, and they are almost too stiff to arch gracefully. (I stuffed a soccer ball between the stems overnight to separate them.) "The leaves of this plant are large and heavy. Once this size is reached, it is very unrealistic to keep them upright." Ristenson said. Goods purchased from the United States and (due to epidemic-related restrictions on the Canadian border) are currently only eligible for exchange. But even under normal circumstances, the return policy is not very good (you must do this within 14 days to get a full refund).
Bottom line: There is nothing scary about this plant, especially if you like its appearance. However, if you prefer elegantly arched stems and leaves, you may be disappointed.
Material: plastic, polyester, real bark Size: 38.4 x 24.4 inches (pot height: 5.9 inches) Return policy: merchandise sold to the United States and (until the border restrictions related to the pandemic change) orders are only applicable for exchange goods. free shipping
West Elm Artificial Potted Bird of Paradise ($130 at the time of publication)
What we like: I am personally attracted by the graceful lines and graceful arches of the West Elm Bird of Paradise. In my opinion, from a distance, it looks lush and organic.
What we don't like: The experts we consulted found that its appearance is not as good as Artiplanto (pictured above). It doesn't have a real trunk, and the back of the leaves looks more fake than Artiplanto's, and the texture reminds me of vinyl stickers.
Bottom line: If you prefer a clone of a real transaction, don't even consider it. Try to check it yourself: if you like its look and feel, then it might be worth it.
Material: Polyester Size: 42 x 23 inches (pot height: 7 inches) Return policy: Full refund within 30 days after purchase Shipping: Free
Nearly natural golden sugarcane palm tree (a 4-foot tree sold for $75 at the time of publication)
What we like: There are plenty of fronds on the top. This presentation of the golden palm (Dypsis lutescens) takes me to a bohemian tropical paradise better than its sparse, junior competitors. Double trunks also look less than most trunks.
What we don’t like: some of the leaf tips in the box are crumpled and need to be stretched slightly to straighten them. The texture of the leaves reminds me of fabric ribbons, and (depending on the light) they can also look like one. "They are crumpled, and the real leaves are smooth," Christensen said, checking the photos I sent via email. I also hope that the veins look more refined. The hollow opening visible from the top clearly shows that the plant is fake-if you don't find it, the small plastic flowerpot will prompt you. Whole leaf palm trees are also a kind of dust. "The larger the surface area, the more places the dust settles," said Miriam Diamond, a professor of earth sciences at the University of Toronto, who has published numerous papers on dust. Just like Nearly Natural's violin leaf figs, we recommend ordering this from Amazon to avoid the lack of customer service from Nearly Natural. At least on Amazon, if you need to process an exchange or return, you will be better protected.
Bottom line: If you like to look wild and unruly from a distance, this tree is "very realistic," says Christensen of Léon & George. But if you spend time touching it up close, the crumpled leaves may make you nervous, especially on a clean day. West Elm offers neater, more docile palm trees, but the price is more than twice that ($150), and its leaf texture reminds me of grosgrain ribbons. To be fair, this is still cheaper than Pottery Barn's slender artificial potted palm trees (we did not order or view the latter in person, as it was available at the time of writing).
Material: It may be plastic and polyester (Amazon or Near-Natural customers have not received Amazon or Near-Natural response to this inquiry; we have not received multiple requests for Near-Natural.) Dimensions: 48 x 40 x 40 inches Return Policy: Full refund within 30 days of receipt (from Amazon) Shipping: Free for Prime members; about $25 without membership
IKEA Fejka Artificial Potted Monstera ($40 at the time of publication)
What we like: Monsters that look and feel real are hard to come by. At least Ikea’s 35.5-inch "Monstera deliciosa" (Monstera deliciosa), which I found in the Red Hook district of Brooklyn, is a relatively affordable price of $40. There are some nice details on the top of the leaf, and overall, it feels very solid. In contrast, the 45-inch West Elm version—recognized as having a better shape and more leaves, but resembling a plastic toy—priced at $250. The small Pottery Barn Monstera is 26 inches long and has a fake feel. It costs $90.
What we don't like: Like almost all large-leaf plants we see when we shop in the window, the texture of this plant reminds me of rubber ducks. In low light conditions, it may also look like plastic. When our team of experts ran the pictures, they were not impressed. Moreover, it is undeniable that compared with the leaves on real plants, the leaves do look a bit the same, and they have quite a few variations.
Bottom line: We have yet to find a monstera (or any large-leaf plant, for that matter) whose leaves have the exquisite look, feel, and details of real leaves. If you don't mind treating this purchase as a lovely ornament (look at those holes!), rather than you desperately wanting to treat it as the real thing, then you might be satisfied with it.
Material: Polyethylene, 100% PEVA, Steel, Paint Size: 35½ inches (pan diameter: 7½ inches) Return policy: Full refund within 180 days Shipping fee: varies by location
There is very little scientific research on how buying fake trees and buying live trees affect the environment. As we briefly discussed in our guide to artificial Christmas trees, a report we found tends to be more environmentally friendly in the short term, and the longer the fake Christmas tree is used, the less harmful it will be to the environment. There may be a break-even point at which one artificial tree is equivalent to a certain number of natural trees. But Travis Wagner, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Southern Maine, said that it is not yet clear where this point is for Christmas or other Christmases. However, he pointed out that given that many man-made trees end up in landfills and natural trees can be composted, this may be significant.
There are reasons to think that for non-Christmas trees, it is more ecologically meaningful to buy live plants rather than fake plants. For example, real violin-leaf figs can be displayed indefinitely throughout the year, rather than thrown away after a month, or they can be replanted or composted. Because it doesn't spend most of the year in the box, the fake violin leaf fig will wear out every day, so it may not be as long as a fake Christmas tree. But all this assumes that real trees remain healthy and thrive-we know this is not always guaranteed.
In fact, the true ecological quotient of fake plants may depend on the characteristics of their counterparts in real life. Hachadourian of the New York Botanical Garden says that many popular species, such as the violin leaf fig, can be "picky." "They may need more light and humidity than ordinary apartments. When they are unhappy, they will exit dramatically. Their leaves fall quickly." If you constantly kill and replace them, buy a good quality man-made May be more sustainable, let alone more economical.
As a recent Vox article pointed out, given the large amount of energy required to operate facilities and the destruction of the land’s original and diverse habitat, the living plant industry is not completely carbon neutral. Perhaps a more environmentally friendly way to bring green into your home is to draw inspiration from Diamond at the University of Toronto, whose series was originally cut from a friend's plant. Of course, compared with big trees, small plants are easier to do this.
As with most things in life, all concepts of moderation may be most effective here. Hachadourian said that whenever possible, “the right (real) plants” can be grown in the right places. When it comes to live plants, consider hardy varieties that are more likely to forgive you when you leave them in a dark corner or forget to water them, such as snake plants, cast iron plants, or peace lilies.
For a plant that may not thrive, but you want to put a space there anyway, find a man-made version that you think is equally lovely, despite its flaws. Handle with care and remove dust frequently. If it is not suitable for outdoor use, please do not leave it in the yard or on the porch. "Mix and match," said Plantshed designer Portillano, who is also a gardener. "Don't try to fight evolution."
Unfortunately, fake plants made of plastic mixed with other materials cannot be recycled unless you manage to take the whole thing apart. Even so, depending on the quality of the material, they may not always be recyclable. So in ten years, if you are ready to move on, you can simply donate your fake tree and let it bring happiness to others.
With soft lighting and perfect angles, retailers can make any sad artificial tree look like a beautiful person. But fake plants require strict reality checks. Whether you are buying in a physical store or shopping online, please keep the following points in mind.
In order to evaluate our favorite plants, we took photos of plants we collected and asked Léon & George gardener Vickie Christensen to review them. We also asked Plantshed horticulturist Ralph Portillano and designer Rebekah Gross to evaluate the appearance of the plants through Zoom. You can also search for images of real things on Google and compare them with the things you are considering buying to get a good idea of the credibility of plants. Pay special attention to:
Under the leaf: Make sure it is the correct color and the manufacturer is not stingy with details. "This is a very persuasive field," Callahan said. (Her company, Afloral, sells small artificial plants, but not trees.)
Trunk: Does it have nicks and textures, or is it smooth, just like real? Also make sure that the colors match more or less. "High-end options usually have real bark at the bottom to make it look realistic," Portillano said.
Branches and stems: Pay attention to how the color of real plants transitions from branches to stems. On some plants that look fake, instead of gradually changing from brown to green between the branches and stems, they simply stick to the branches like a pen cap.
It is easy to evaluate the texture in the store. For online purchases, please read the reviews for any recurring issues and choose only those plants that offer a generous return policy.
Interesting texture: Don't be fooled by plants described as "silk". Confusingly, the term has been used by the industry to refer to any artificial plant, and most are made of polyester or plastic (or some combination of the two). We have encountered textures that remind us of hard plastic toys and rubber rafts, even though they look very realistic. Sadly, your only options (at least between $50 and $200) are "Not very good, but I can trade" and "I just can't". Of course, we don't want the texture of artificial plants to look like real ones. However, if they are particularly scary, it is difficult to ignore them even if you do not plan to touch them often.
Reading the reviews again and checking the useful return policy is the key. The following are some common problems we noticed when we combed the comments online or when we gently pulled the leaves in person:
Falling leaves: The shedding of leaves from the stem is a common complaint on retailer websites. This is especially problematic if you have children or pets, but it can also be annoying when you are dusting.
Removable leaf veins: We have encountered improperly embedded leaf veins, which can be easily pulled out of the leaf like peeling stickers.
Fading: If you plan to place plants outdoors or in direct sunlight, this will be a bigger problem. Plants designed for the outdoors say this, and are often treated with special coatings. We will pay close attention to the trees we buy and report whether they will remain vigorous over time.
Fake plants have made great strides in the past few years, but even the best plants can benefit from some out-of-the-box improvements.
Pay attention to proportions: whether it is fake or real, plants will look more attractive if they are proportional to the room. For example, a 7-foot-tall person may look too high in a room with a low ceiling. "You don't want plants to eat this space," Portillano said.
Complements the exterior: Melissa Welsh, an interior designer in the San Francisco Bay Area, says that when she designs a house, she first considers the style of the room. "If it is bohemian and laid-back, then palm or violin leaf figs may work, but if it is a more traditional look, I might choose a more classic banyan or fern," she explained.
Place plants near natural light: not only does light flow make fake plants emit beautiful light, but the placement shows that your specimen is real and needs sunlight to look as good as it. "The lights let you see the details of the leaves," Gross said.
Fluffy as you mean it: many plants become very flat during transportation, and I found that they need some almost radical twists and turns to look full. I even put a football between the branches overnight to open them. "Bend down and let it breathe," Callahan told me.
"Plant" into a new pot: Unless you pay for the beautiful container that comes with the plant, you will usually stick hard artificial soil in the fragile container. Gross said: "That little plastic pot is an obvious sign that the plant is fake." So upgrade the pot and use real soil, and you might see a big difference. Put the cheap container in a stronger container and stuff both sides with old newspaper. Create a cardboard, doughnut-shaped platform (as described in this blog post), place it around the tree, and add a neat pile of potting soil.
Diligent in dust removal: When you have artificial plants, this is a job you need to complete. Regular dust removal-starting from the top and working all the way down-will help the leaves to shine and look more real.
These plants look great online, but when I see them with my own eyes, I can't imagine their future.
Artiplanto's FAFA artificial violin leaf potted plant (5 feet) keeps tipping over and has a strong chemical smell right out of the box.
Artiplanto’s Oli artificial olive tree potted plant (2.6 feet) looks lovely from a distance, but there is no color under the leaves. The leaves are also constantly falling off.
The Philo artificial vine potted plant (39 inches) from Artiplanto has almost too many leaf details, feels very stiff, and the stems are difficult to separate. This makes me think that if Flat Stanley is a plant, this is what he looks like.
Pottery Barn Faux Potted Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree (5.4 feet) lacks fullness, and the leaves remind me of ripstop nylon. The suitcase also looks very plastic. For the price, I look forward to more.
The artificial rubber plant in the Target ceramic pot-Project 62 (32 inches) is full of dark leaves and handsome in a white ceramic pot, but the falling leaves make me crazy.
West Elm's imitation potted violin leaf fig plant (5 feet) looks attractive from a distance, but the leaves feel rough, just like Pottery Barn's violin leaf fig tree. Again, I expect more prices.
West Elm's artificial potted monstera (41 inches), I have seen it in the store, its leaves seem to be more delicate and changeable than IKEA Fejka leaves, but they still feel like plastic sheets. Even with its selling price ($100 at the time of writing, which is less than the usual $200), I am almost certain that I will be shocked by the buyer's regret.
The artificial potted palm tree (4 feet) of West Elm I saw in the store was very attractive, but it seemed too sparse, and given the higher price, the texture of the leaves was too ribbon-like. But some people may like this for the same reason that I like the bird of paradise plant in West Elm.
Meg Callahan, Afloral brand manager, telephone interview, March 9, 2021
Vickie Christensen, Certified Master Gardener, Leon and George, email interview, July 20, 2021
Miriam Diamond, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, School of Environment, University of Toronto, telephone interview, September 1, 2021
Rebekah Gross, Senior Account and Project Manager, Plantshed, Zoom interview, July 21, 2021
Marc Hachadourian, Director of Greenhouse Horticulture and Senior Curator of Orchid, New York Botanic Garden, telephone interview, July 24, 2021
Ralph Portillano, Plantshed Senior Design Manager, Zoom interview, July 21, 2021
Travis Wagner, Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Southern Maine, telephone interview, August 27, 2021
Melissa Welsh, owner of Welsh Design Studio, telephone interview, March 31, 2021
Joanne Chen is a senior writer at Wirecutter, covering sleep and other lifestyle topics. Previously, she reported on health and wellness as a magazine editor. After a task forced her to sleep 8 hours a day for a month, she realized that, in fact, when she was not sleep deprived, she was a smarter and kinder person.
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