Are Fake Plants Better Than Real?

Plants liven the spaces they are in, and there is no contradiction to the fact whatsoever. There is a sense of liveliness in their surroundings no matter where you put them in, and this is one of many reasons why people love to place plants in their homes and offices in the first place. 

But the question here is if the sole purpose of keeping the plants is for the look and the kind of atmosphere it creates around the house, then why not simply choose a fake plant that looks real instead of a real one? After all, it is much less hectic with a fake one regarding watering responsibilities and taking overall care of the plant. But then again, wouldn’t it be creating more plastic waste beside the fact that it is the complete opposite in nature of a real plant and doesn’t even clean the environment. 

The following article contains the pros and cons of artificial plants.

Fake/Artificial Plants 

The first thing that strikes when someone says the word artificial is an image distinguishing the real one from the not-so-real one. While it may fall true for many other subjects, it is not the case with the fake plants, as there are many of these in the market. Fake plants look like real ones until you touch them. There are some excellent aspects to artificial plants listed below.

 

Pros Of Artificial Plants 

No maintenance – One of the most apparent benefits of keeping an artificial plant is that it doesn’t require you to care for it. Offices and busy households often end up with dead plants due to neglect which is undoubtedly not a pleasant experience. 

There is no need for watering or fertilizing, and you could place them anywhere without considering the adequacy of the sunlight. They are the best option for households that often stay sunlight deprived. 

Unlike real plants, all you need to do after placing an artificial one is occasionally dust off the leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Temperature is also not an issue, so you do not have to be concerned when the winter arrives. 

No Clean-Ups 

There is no soil spillage even if one accidentally stumbles upon a faux potted plant, meaning there is nothing to clean up. What’s more, they do not shed flower petals or leaves for you to pick up or any water spills you need to wipe down.

They are lightweight and can be shifted from one room to another single-handedly, making it easier to clean around the house.

Flowers Without Trouble 

Ask any plant parent, and they will tell you how hard they have to care for the plant before they get to see a flower bloom, which, not to mention wither away when it is time, if not already plucked or blown away before that. Though that is not the case for artificial plants, you buy a flowering plant you like, and it is always blooming day in and out, with popping colors and beautiful texture. 

No Allergy Risks

Plant allergies are more common than you might think, and to keep an actual plant near an allergic person is no short of risks. One does not know which plant might trigger an allergic reaction to a person and to what extent, especially in a shared space like offices with many employees working together. 

There is no such risk with faux plants as they do not harm even the most sensitive. 

A Plethora Of Options

The kind of plants we adore and the weather in our area are often not in harmony. The variety of faux plants in the market makes it easier to choose the one you like despite unfavorable conditions. These are available in various sizes, shapes, textures, and colors to go with any of your home décor ideas or feng shui practices. 

No Insects And Non-toxic

Unlike real plants, fake plants do not attract insects or pests. A bug spray or special care of the plants is the only way to tackle the problem, which is a very hectic and often an allergy-triggering spot. What’s more, they are also non-toxic to pets. 

Wallet-friendly In The Long Run 

Though all plants, fake or real, are often expensive, faux plants are a better investment. They will not wither or die due to neglect and will stay the same, unlike the real ones that embrace this risk. 

But are these enough reasons to convince one to buy an artificial copy of something nature provides us with so flawlessly? 

Cons Of Artificial Plants

Nature has always been a giver, and plants are the perfect example. Moreover, is it worth replacing the life a natural plant represents with an artificial copy of it? 

The touch of the actual plant and the freshness they dissolve in the surroundings remains unmatched no matter how life-like a faux plant looks. They do not improve the air quality or remove toxins. The ability of natural plants to suck out carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen is something no faux plant can compare with ever.  

Not just this, many plant varieties are also scientifically proven to remove toxins from the air, all that while fighting indoor air pollution. They seamlessly eliminate bacterias and mold from the air and improve air quality, increase humidity in the air and reduce the risk of a plethora of air-borne or pollution-related diseases and breathing issues. 

If you live in an isolated area with not many trees around or are in the bustling city life, there is hardly a place for one to breathe in freely. Adding a lifeless and non-functional faux plant is like buying yet another plastic item from the supermarket. 

Fake Plants Are Harmful To The Environment 

Most artificial plants are plastic or other synthetic material that is not precisely environmentally friendly. What’s more, the process of manufacturing an artificial plant involves the use of toxic dyes and harmful chemicals that, when released in nature, not only pollute it but do the exact opposite of what a natural plant does. 

A Variety Of Low-maintenance Plants 

If maintenance happens to be your prime concern pushing you to buy an artificial plant, you need to think again. Many indoor plants are available in the market, ranging on the maintenance scale from having a daily watering requirement to thriving on only once a month watering routine for everyone to choose from as per the responsibility they are ready to hold. 

What’s more, these do not even need you to necessarily place them in the sunlight, with the ability to hold out and make it through the toughest of days and harsh weather conditions even when placed on a coffee table the entire summer. 

They Do Not Boost Positivity And Relieve Stress 

To a certain extent, faux plants might resolve a tense atmosphere and improve the visible ambiance in the environment; it is very little compared to what a natural plant does. Whether it is the freezing air-conditioning of the office, the unnatural light, or the uneasy silences, there is nothing that a refreshing sight of a living plant cannot improve. 

Natural plants, unlike faux plants, also help relieve stress, eliminate chemicals from the air, improve the memory retention ability of the mind, create calm and restore well-being. Fake plants are hazardous – faux plants made of silk or synthetic fiber grow more dangerous in case of fire as they ignite easily and increase the scale of potential damage. 

Conclusion 

Whether you choose a natural plant or a fake one, it entirely depends on the purpose you are buying it for and how much you are willing to care for it, though nothing will boost the liveliness of your living room more than living plants.

However, many companies like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and Pottery Barn also use a mix of natural and fake plants for home décor, which is a brilliant idea you can try to introduce into your home.