Continuing on from last weeks blog post, this week I bring you artificial plants! You might be thinking enough of the “outside-in” nonsense Mel, but I had quite a few messages (2) saying they really wanted to add plants to their home but were terrible at keeping them alive. So, if you are an accidental plant killer, this blog post is for you!
The botanical and biophilic trends are still going strong and to be fair, I can’t see it ever going away. It has probably been even more prevalent this year as we have spent a lot of time indoors and many of us have been decorating, DIYing and improving our homes.
It is more important than ever to create a happy home life, somewhere we can relax, feel safe and enjoy being inside our own four walls without just reaching for that bottle of wine and a big snuggle blanket (although, that’s all I’ve felt like doing for the last couple of weeks!)
And this is where plants come in. I can’t imagine living in a home that has no greenery or flowers to enjoy looking at. Adding houseplants to a home gives it a sense of life and helps that dark corner or unloved bookshelf feel more alive. They don’t have to be real either, faux plants are so realistic these days you could go full on fake.
I think artificial plants still get a bad rap. They summon up images of a synthetic eyesore, gathering dust in a depressing office corner, most people forgetting they ever existed. Yes, artificial plants will never randomly grow, wrapping themselves around your bookshelf and creeping up around your kitchen cupboards. But they are perfect for a dark room that never gets any light or as a little display on a coffee table.
Having two small children at home, I dare not put anything living at knee height. The little ankle biters would have soil all over my white rug before you could say sizzling succulents, so I try to keep the real things out of harms reach.
I must admit, I am not a huge fan of artificial plants. If you can get the real thing, you will be rewarded by watching it grow into a beautiful swan. The satisfaction of keeping it alive will be worth the consistent pruning, watering, misting and occasional conversation asking how it’s doing (is that just me?) But sometimes needs must!
Where to buy artificial plants
I recently asked on Instagram where people bought their artificial plants and I had a big response. Below are several online stores where you can purchase them, including some of the artificial plants that I have bought in the past.
If you can, always try and support small businesses online and your local independent stores.
Set up by a fellow Instagrammer, @all.thats.pretty, Little Buds has a huge collection of quality faux blooms, plants and foliage. Here you can find seasonal faux flowers and collections, a beautiful range of faux silk flowers that will look good on any table, realistic looking hanging plants, wreaths and foliage. An absolute treasure chest of artificial plants.
This website is an absolute treat for the plant lover, faux or real! Here you will find plenty of artificial plants, silk flowers, pots and planters and other home accessories. I love the selection of succulents and leafy plants and own an artificial string of pearls from heavenly homes and gardens. It sits perfectly on our under stair shelves that never gets any light.
When I asked if people could name their go to place for faux plants, a few people mentioned Dowsings and Reynolds. They have large selection of very realistic looking leafy plants at reasonable prices including dried and preserved stems and flowers arranged in unique vases.
One of my favourite online homeware shops, Hilary & Flo is just a complete and utter joy for all eclectic loving interior obsessives. Some of the faux plants include single stems of flowers, hanging plants, succulents and realistic looking cacti.
A collection of faux plants, single stems, bouquets and vases and pots, Hello Flora is passionate about creating beautiful interiors. Tracy’s wonderfully created floral displays on her Instagram account are a treat for the eyes and goes to show what the possibilities are with artificial plants.
Deborah has recently completed a floristry course and is now creating beautiful floristry design work from her back garden. She offers workshops from her studio and can supply everlasting dried bouquets to the UK
A very recent new find for me, Horseshoe flowers sell stunning hand tied everlasting floral bouquets which can last for years and years.
There are a wonderful selection of the most beautifully vibrant bunches of dried flowers and wreaths to choose from and I was lucky enough to be sent the Gemstone bouquet which goes perfectly in my home.
The Big Stores
There are also several big shops that do artificial plants and flowers. Although I always try to shop small, here are some of the stores where I have bought faux plants in the past.
One of my favourite online stores, I love their effortlessly scandi rustic style and they have a large selection of faux foliage, dried flowers, pampas grass and succulents.
Dunelm also have a huge range of artificial plants. I live about a 5-minute walk from Dunelm so whenever I need to purchase faux plants quickly for a campaign, this is my go to shop. I have a few faux plants in my home from Dunelm and to get a realistic look, you do have to go with the more expensive stems.
A new one on me, I had a few followers on Instagram telling me they had bought some faux plants from here and were impressed with the quality. They have a large selection of very realistic looking plants and can even supply faux foliage for a living wall, something I have wanted to do for a while now!
If you are looking for on trend plants and bright florals, Matalan always has a lovely selection in their homeware department. The prices are extremely reasonable and they are consistently updating their stock. The homeware and plant section is always the first place I go to when I visit Matalan.
So, even if you are more plant killer than green fingered, there are plenty of faux products out there to choose from to turn a dreary, dark corner of your home into something beautiful.
Let me know if there are any other fabulous faux plant stores out there in the comments!
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Lovely post Melanie
Thank you for the mention. Flowers and plants real, dried or faux are good for the soul. I truly believe having flora around the house makes for a happier household. Love Debs x
It definitely does Debs! I am a complete floral convert, whether they are real or faux!
Mel 🙂
Thanks so much for all the recommendations. I just bought a lovely bunch of tulips from Little Buds and love them ❤️. Just wondering were you got the beautiful autumnal wreath over your fireplace?
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Hi Bernie, I love Little Buds, good choice! My autumnal wreath is from Balsam Hill. Mel 🙂