Uplifting Artificial Plants: Add Green to Your Decor and Chase Away the Winter Blues

As winter creeps on, our homes can feel starved for a touch of color. However, you can banish the winter blahs! Design trends that favor green walls, kitchen cabinets, natural wood and wood accents are the perfect incentive to add green plants to your home.

Plants can be appreciated in all seasons, but they are particularly welcome in winter, when little else outside is growing. Even in parts of the country that don’t experience a deep winter freeze, house plants literally add life to your home’s decor.

But what if you’re not great at growing things? You forget to water, your rooms are too dim, your life is too busy. 

Faux plants are a great decor addition for several reasons.

First, they require very little time and attention. They never need watering, fertilizer or repotting, so they’re ideal for people who are always on the go.

Fake houseplants are a low-stress option for people with brown thumbs, since they never die! You can enjoy lush, green plants that don’t attract bugs or plant diseases, don’t turn brown, or drop leaves and don’t need repotting.

Faux indoor plants are the perfect decor accent for spots with little sunlight. Set an artificial plant in a dark corner or dreary hallway for a spark of color.

Once you’ve decided faux plants are right for you, the next step is choosing the right type.

Faux house plants come in many shapes, sizes and plant varieties. You can find everything from small succulents to 4-foot palms to full-size trees, from figs to ferns, from silk tulips to topiaries.

Choose a faux plant that fits proportionately in the area you intend to display it. For instance, a 6-inch succulent is suitable for a table or desk, while a potted palm might be ideal for an entryway or living area.

Your new fake plant may come in a basic black or green pot with fresh-from-the-garden-center vibes. Enhance the plant’s aesthetics and realism by placing it in your own decorative container.

Repotting or hiding the original pot may seem redundant, but doing so allows you to choose a planter that complements your decor and style.

And you’re not limited by your choice of pot, either, since faux houseplants don't require waterproof containers. You can place your artificial house plant in a woven basket or wooden plant box without fear!

Real plants need sunlight; fake plants do not. In fact, you should try to keep your faux plants out of the sun to avoid fading due to UV exposure. If that isn’t possible, rotate the pot occasionally to even out the effects of sunfade.

Faux plants may not need water or plant food, but they do require occasional care to help keep them looking their best.

Like everything else in your home, artificial plants eventually get dusty and dust makes a fake plant more obvious. Include your artificial house plants in your regular dusting routine and plan for occasional deeper cleaning.

Here are some popular cleaning methods:

Swipe your artificial potted plants regularly with a microfiber duster or wipe leaves by hand with a soft cloth. A used dryer sheet works, too!

Use a soft, clean paintbrush for hard-to-reach crevices, especially for smaller plants, like fake succulents and cacti. Match the size of the paintbrush to the size of the plant.

The suction from a vacuum cleaner can damage many fake house plants. One alternative is to blow the dust off your plants using a hair dryer on the coolest setting. It may be best to do this outdoors.

The compressed air you use to keep your computer keyboard dust-free can also be helpful in cleaning your artificial plants. 

Salt Shake

Even if you dust your artificial plants regularly, they may eventually need more in-depth care. A salt shake is a common method for cleaning artificial flowers and smaller plants with fabric leaves.

Place about one-half cup of salt in a sealable plastic bag or container large enough for your artificial plant. Seal tightly and give it a gentle shake. The salt acts as a mild abrasive to remove dust and dirt! Remove the plant or flower and gently shake, blow or brush away any excess salt clinging to the leaves. Reshape your flower or plant as necessary.

Shower

If you decide to give your artificial potted plant a shower, proceed with caution! Not all plastic plants are waterproof. Even if the leaves can handle getting wet, the branches, pot and other materials may not.

Always use a gentle spray of cool water, as heat may loosen adhesives used to attach the leaves to the branches.

Dirt can eventually stain artificial silk flowers and faux plants with fabric leaves. Rubbing the spot gently with a soft, damp cloth often will remove the blemish. Be aware, however, that the dyes on some silk plants can bleed when wet, so test clean an inconspicuous spot first.

If water doesn’t do the trick, try a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar. Spray or wipe on the solution with a soft cloth and let sit a few minutes, then wipe clean. Some people also find success with rubbing alcohol.

Before using either method, you should always test your solution on an inconspicuous part of the plant. Avoid using detergent, since it could discolor your artificial plant.

If you haven’t looked at artificial plants recently, you may be surprised at the options available to add a realistic looking touch of greenery to your decor.

With a little knowledge on how to keep your artificial plants looking their best, the hardest thing about artificial plants may be narrowing your choices!

In addition to decorations for Christmas and other holidays, Christmas Central carries a wide range of home decor, including a full selection of artificial greenery.

The same quality offered in Christmas Central’s realistic Real Touch™ artificial Christmas trees is also reflected in our Real Touch™ Luxury botanicals – house plants and florals in a range of species and styles.

For artificial plants that fool the eye, from across the room or close up, browse Real Touch™ faux plants and botanical decor.

Most office environments use plants as a way to brighten and add life to what might otherwise feel like a bland or even uninviting space.

However, office workers are busy people. What with schedules and deadlines, not to mention weekends and holidays, plant maintenance can be neglected. On the other hand, no-fuss artificial plants are perfect for the job.

Here are some top considerations when choosing faux plants for your office:

• Realism - Realistic faux plants relieve staff from plant maintenance tasks while infusing color and comfort to the office environment.

• Quality - Find fake plants made from high-quality materials. A cheap-looking fake plant might not leave a great impression with visiting clients.

• Size/Scale - Find a plant that fits your space. Tall plants work well in lobbies and corners. They can add privacy or create a natural boundary to guide foot traffic. Small plants are perfect for reception desks and medium-sized plants add personality to work spaces.