Real plants can be temperamental. Too hot, too cold, too much water, too little water, too much sun, too little sunlight… sometimes you just don’t get it right. If you have a heavy travel schedule with little time to give consistent care to your greenery but would still like a lush home or garden, artificial shrubs are a great option. They won’t attract pests or insects, and their vibrant appearance will not be affected by temperature, soil quality, or pot size. They require little time or energy to maintain and continue to look healthy regardless of the season. To help you maintain year-round greenery in your home we’ve picked out the best artificial shrubs in 2023. These plants can be used indoors or outdoors to spruce up your home, balcony, patio, or garden.
Reviewing the Top Fake Shrubs of 2023 in Detail
Best Overall
This pack of 24 boxwood shrub stems are bright with small tear-drop-shaped leaves. Each stem is 13.4 inches long with seven soft stems full of vibrant green leaves. The artificial boxwood shrubs are made of high-quality plastic and can be washed with water if they become dusty or dirty. The stems are adjustable so you can space them out as preferred to suit your space without worrying about them breaking. These lush shrub stems are perfect for indoor decorations in offices, kitchens, and dining areas, to fill up planters on your balcony or in your garden.
Pros
- Adjustable stems
- Pack of 24 stems
- Made from easy-to-clean plastic
- No maintenance required
Cons
- Plastic leaves can have an obvious artificial appearance and may not look authentic up close
Runner Up
Nahuaa’s set of 4 shrub bundles have small thin leaves and make for a perfect filler in planters and vases. These shrub stems are 13 inches high with adjustable branches up to 6.9 inches in width. The plastic stems and leaves are UV protected, made of good quality plastic material. They are durable, allowing you to have no-maintenance floral displays in your home or office for a long time without worrying about grimey water or wilting. These fillers are great to add to bouquets and vase arrangements but can also be used to fill sparse areas between planters.
Pros
- Delicate light green leaves
- Adjustable stems
- Made from easy-to-clean plastic
- No maintenance required
Cons
- Since the leaves are small and delicate you may require more than one pack if you want to fill a sizeable vase or planter
Honorable Mention
These bright green ferns are a great maintenance-free complement to any garden or indoor setting. The ferns are 16 inches in length with flexible stems to adjust according to your setting. Made with high-quality UV-resistant plastic material, they won’t fade, stay vibrant all year long, and can be washed with water to remove dust or dirt. Besides adding a great lush look to outdoor gardens, ferns are ideal for large flower arrangements for offices, conferences, celebrations, and hotels. The ferns offer a full and lush look as opposed to other stems that have sparser leaves.
Pros
- Adjustable stems
- Made from UV resistant material
- Easy-to-clean plastic
- No maintenance required
Cons
- Plastic leaves can sometimes have an obvious artificial appearance
Also Consider
These fantastic faux plants are designed with extra length showcasing a height of 27 inches. The tall onion grass greenery is superb for indoor and outdoor spaces. Weather-proof, UV resistant, and maintenance-free, these shrubs can be placed along walkways, be used to create barriers, or fill empty-looking spaces in your garden. The 6-pack of onion grass bunches have long thin leaves branching upwards from the bottom of the stem with natural-looking colors. They are beautiful on their own or paired with other flowers in a vase.
Pros
- Extra length 27-inch height
- Made from UV resistant material
- Weather-proof
- No maintenance required
Cons
- The purchase does not come with a vase
Cattree’s shrubs have fine and delicate leaves densely arranged on each stem. The 2-piece set is green with a full, bushy appearance. Stems are 14 inches in height with adjustable wired branches allowing you to spread the leaves out if preferred to suit either a vase, planter, or flowerbed. The shrubs are made from PE plastic which is easy to clean or wash with water. Cattree also offers a range of stems with small flowers to add a pop of color to your arrangement
Pros
- Adjustable stems
- Made from easy-to-clean plastic
- No maintenance required
Cons
- Since the leaves are small and you only get 2 per order you may require more than one pack if you want to fill a sizeable planter
This pack of 10 tall grass stalks is great to add as fillers in vases, box planters, or along walkways. Indoors they add a great vibrancy in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas. The long leaves look lush used on their own or can be paired with other colorful flower additions. Each stalk is 12 to 16 inches in height with 7 stems and tall thin grass-like leaves. They are UV resistant so you won’t have to worry about your greens fading or wilting and they won’t be affected by rain when placed outdoors.
Pros
- Height-adjustable stems
- Made from UV resistant material
- Weather-proof
- No maintenance required
Cons
- Plastic leaves can have an artificial appearance
The National Tree Company has produced a high-quality faux juniper bush with superb reviews in both indoor and outdoor applications. The height of the bush, including the pot, is 15 inches. The shrub has a lush look and makes a great piece for porches, entryways, around a pool, or in the garden. The plants have a sturdy base and are weather resistant. No need to add fillers or look for a vase or pot as the juniper shrub comes as a ready-to-place plant. Simply unbox and place it where you want. Gardening has never been easier.
Pros
- Includes a pot base
- The shrub is a complete plant or decoration and does not need additional fillers
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor placement
- Realistic looking with a sturdy base
Cons
- When placed among real plants the shrub can appear more obviously artificial
Best Fake Shrubs: A Buying Guide
Incorporating artificial shrubs and greenery into your interior and exterior living spaces has a load of benefits. While you don’t need to worry about bugs and pests, they also don’t require any watering or maintenance because they don’t lose their leaves all over your lawn and pool. There are a few things you will want to consider when buying artificial shrubs, especially for outdoor placement since they will be subject to varying weather conditions. Indoor shrubs will depend more on your space availability and the effect you wish to create. Here is everything you need to keep in mind when choosing the best artificial shrubs for your home.
What to Consider When Choosing Artificial Shrubs
Indoor vs. outdoor
While outdoor plants will work well indoors, artificial shrubs made for indoors won’t necessarily hold up well to the elements outside. If you are buying artificial plants for your patio, balcony or garden make sure they are marked specifically for outdoors or labeled as UV resistant.
If you’re going to plant your artificial shrub outdoors, this video, by Artificial Plants and Trees, can help you get started.
Material
Most faux plants are made from plastic, silk, and polyester. Silk and plastic are popular since they offer a realistic appearance and flexibility to adjust the position and curvature of leaves, branches, and flowers. When choosing your greens look for items that reflect natural textures, color gradations, and simulated leaf veins.
Choose artificial plants that reflect the look of real plants in detail. Make sure you are familiar with the look of the real plant so that you can compare the artificial versions of the trunk, flowers, stems, and leaves. Quality artificial plants often include imperfections such as partially dried edges on leaves. Avoid glossy finishes and additions like fake rain droplets.
Polyester and plastic items are good for tight budgets while high-quality artificial plants are usually made from a combination of rayon, silk, and cotton fibers.
Size
The size of your chosen shrubs should be realistic but should also be suitable for the space you have available and the containers you are planning to keep them in. Leave room for changing planters or adding additional features. For indoor plants, measure the space you have available, for example, the ceiling height for a large artificial living room plant or tree. If your floor-to-ceiling height is 8 feet, do not get a plant any higher than 7.5 feet. This allows you leeway to change the planter over time. When measuring products, start from the bottom where the planter touches the floor and measure to the tallest reference point being the highest leaf, flower, or branch. Use the same guidelines for patios, balconies, and enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
Style
Your choice of greenery can reflect different styles in your home and garden. Choose plants that will compliment your interior décor or outdoor style whether the overall feel is rustic, minimalistic, bohemian, or eclectic.
Symmetry
Artificial plants that are perfectly symmetrical immediately look fake. Look for different flower and leaf sizes and thicknesses. If you need to consider removing or repositioning some leaves or stems.
Accessories
Consider the accessories that accompany your plants, if any. Some artificial shrubs don’t come with any additions while others may include pots, planters, fake moss, or vases. If you’re buying shrubs, trees, or items that will be featured in a large container, getting pebbles, stones, artificial moss, or dirt can up the authenticity.
The Top Artificial Shrub Décor Tips
- To make overly glossy plastic more realistic, spray it with some matte sealer.
- Mix your faux greenery with real plants. You could put an actual potted plant in the middle of a group of fake ones or add fake fillers into a vase with real flowers.
- Consider hanging plants for tight spaces.
- Place your bushy plants in areas where the natural version would receive sunlight and be able to thrive to make it more realistic.
- Fluff your plants occasionally, especially if their branches and leaves are adjustable. Your plant will most likely be somewhat compressed from shipping. Once you open and place the shrub, spread out the branches and leaves for a naturally full look.
People Also Asked
How do you clean artificial shrubs?
To clean your shrubs you can run a feather duster over the leaves, or take the plants outside and sweep off dust with a paintbrush. Using a microfibre or damp cloth to wipe leaves and stems is also effective. We don’t recommend using a vacuum cleaner even with a small attachment as the leaves may not be sturdy enough to hold up to the suction.
What are real touch flowers?
Real touch flowers are made from a latex-type polymer and are not silk flowers. These artificial flowers are known to be very realistic in their appearance and feel.
How can you prevent outdoor artificial plants from fading?
You can use a UV-resistant spray on your plants to make them last longer and prevent the plastic or other material from fading in the hot sun. Make sure your faux plant is clean and completely dry. Place the plants on newspaper in a well-ventilated area (preferably outdoors) before spraying it with the UV resistant solution.
