This how-to decorating post about faux botanicals was updated January 2023
There are certain rules we live by when putting the finishing touches on any room. For example, every room needs a few books (whether they’re filling a bookcase or stacked neatly on a table), wall art, and something botanical.
That being said, if you want to use stylish plants as finishing touches in your home, that doesn’t mean you have to constantly be changing wilting flowers with fresh pedals: we love using stylish faux botanicals to decorate, and that’s why we’re sharing our favorite tips & tricks to make them just as stylish as the real thing.
Consider Your Container
The first thing to consider is the container you’ll display your artificial plants in. Of course you want something that works with the style of your room, but it’s also important to consider size and shape.
Just like a lampshade should be scaled to a table lamp, faux branches should be 2-3 times the height of your container and twice the width.
The other thing to consider is the opening of your container. Depending on the type of branch you’re using, you may need a vase with a larger mouth. If you’re using faux botanicals with very large leaves, like our Tropical Leaves, a vase with a narrow opening may work fine.
Bend and Fluff Branches
Most artificial plants have wire inside the stems to make bending branches easier. It’s important to fluff your branches before displaying them to give them a more natural look. Just like they would naturally, separate and bend branches to face different directions, move organically, and have different lengths.
Go For Impact
When arranging fresh flowers, we love to use lots of different plant varieties to create texture, but when working with faux plants, keep it simple. One type of stem used en masse has more impact and feels more authentic.
Small Accents
You may not need large branches or faux trees in your room, but there’s always room for small pieces like our moss balls or succulent spheres. Add a few to a beautiful bowl or tray to bring a bit of life to the room.
Baskets for the Base
For large artificial trees and potted plants, pop those suckers into a basket. A pretty basket that coordinates with your room will tie your faux plants into the design.
Add Height with a Footed Planters
Another great way to accent your favorite room with faux botanicals is to elevate them with footed planters and pedestals. Not only do footed planters raise the elevation of your accent greenery to catch more eyeballs, but they can be stylized to perfectly fit the faux greenery to the theme of your space.
Mix Faux Botanicals with Live Plants
We recently invited Garden and Outdoor Living Expert Carmen Johnston on our YouTube channel (below) to share her exclusive decorating tips for creating a dreamy garden vignette, and that’s where we first learned about mixing faux and live botanicals in the same planter.
This creative decorating tip applies to more than just your outdoor spaces, however: we recommend mix neutral faux botanicals with vibrant real botanicals throughout common rooms in your own home!
The Final Verdict on Faux Botanicals
You’ve probably heard warnings about using fake plants in your room, and while even we’ve committed some of those crimes (climbing vines, anyone?), we stand by position that artificial and faux botanicals can be used stylishly throughout your home.
Have you found these tips helpful? Browse all of our faux botanicals and containers online to find the perfect finishing touch for your space!
Read more botanical themed home decorating tips:
ShanTi
These were good. What about rules regarding upright vs dropping or rules for stems?
Dianne Plourde
Very practical hints in every category that you offer. Thank you!