At first glance, artificial plants might seem like a great idea. They don’t require a lot of maintenance, don’t need water, don’t use soil or a growing medium, and no matter how terrible you are at gardening, they’ll never die.
Sounds like a decent option, right?
But when you dig a little deeper, it becomes pretty obvious why fake plants are inferior to the real thing. It’s true we might be a little biased—but after considering the facts, we think you’ll understand why it’s always better for your office plants to be alive. Here are six reasons to stick with the real deal.
Artificial plants don’t last forever. Many people think artificial plants never need to be replaced, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Fake plants are prone to deterioration and fading—especially if they’re constantly exposed to light. Bright colors (particularly flowers) will begin to fade after just a few months as dyes start to break down. This translates to an unattractive, washed-out look; you might actually end up replacing fake plants more often than living ones.
You have to clean them regularly. Artificial plants are dust magnets. Since they aren’t growing and don’t require maintenance to stay alive, it’s easy to let them gather dust for months without noticing. Not only does this make breathing more difficult, it can also make your office look dirty.
You don’t get any health benefits. Living plants are proven to provide significant health benefits for employees, and new studies are coming out all the time to support this. If you’re looking to improve overall health and morale, you’d be hard pressed to find a more cost-effective option than living plants. We can’t say the same for their artificial counterparts.
They aren’t eco-friendly. Many fake plants are created in factories using harmful dyes and synthetic materials that aren’t easily recycled. And once a fake plant is faded or damaged, it gets thrown in a trash dump where it will probably take many years to deteriorate. On the other hand, if a real plant needs to be thrown away because it’s dying, it begins to biodegrade almost instantly.
They can give a bad impression to clients. While real, healthy plants can give the feeling that your business is well taken care of, fake plants—especially if they aren’t pristine—can do just the opposite. People value authenticity, and that’s especially true with clients.
Your choices are limited. While there are plenty of fake options, you’ll have a lot more to choose from when you go with real plants. Especially if you have a large arrangement requiring color coordination, you might struggle to find artificial options that work well together. And your choices for different leaf and flower textures will grow immensely when you go for the real thing.
So are there any merits to artificial plants? One special situation where we might recommend fake plants is if people in your office have plant-specific allergies. If this is the case, artificial plants might be the right choice—but these kinds of allergies typically aren’t triggered by a few office plants.
If you’re thinking about adding some beautiful, living plants to your office, we have a couple of options. You can check out our interior plant leasing program, or we’re happy to sell you interior office plants as well. We can also help you choose the right plants and create custom arrangements—and when it comes to ongoing maintenance, we have you covered there, too.
Ready to learn more about adding interior plants to your office? We’re ready to talk—contact us today!
FAQs
Plants Change Slowly Just Like Us
Living plants can be plucked from the soil, rooted in water and potted many times over, whereas artificial plants are expensive and cannot give back. They stand in their pots forever, unblinking and unfeeling—until they eventually get thrown in the garbage.
Why shouldn't you have fake plants? ›
Plants Change Slowly Just Like Us
Living plants can be plucked from the soil, rooted in water and potted many times over, whereas artificial plants are expensive and cannot give back. They stand in their pots forever, unblinking and unfeeling—until they eventually get thrown in the garbage.
What are the disadvantages of fake plants? ›
Disadvantages of faux plants
While fake plants can look real, they certainly don't do their part for our indoor environment. In fact, they can be detrimental to our health as well as ecology. Fake plants are made using artificial materials and dyes, so they can make the air even worse instead of cleaning it.
Are fake plants good for office? ›
While fake plants can't compete with air purification, they can still have a positive effect because just by incorporating them in eye's view they can have a positive impact on mood and concentration levels.
Why fake plants are bad for the environment? ›
From the production process to disposal, faux greenery can contribute to plastic pollution, emit VOCs harmful to human health, and end up in landfills. The best option for the environment is still live plants, which provide many benefits beyond just aesthetics.
Are fake plants good for mental health? ›
Since artificial plants mimic nature and its creations, they will also elicit these responses. Just like real plants, fauxliege contributes to a more cheerful disposition. Greenery has restorative and grounding effects on our mood, dispelling mental fatigue and negative emotions.
Do fake plants bring bad energy? ›
Natural plants promote nourishing energy, while artificial green, on the other hand, reflects stagnant energy. It may be a lovely and elegant home decoration, but it does not encourage good qi. Some people say that putting fake plants in your bedroom would attract unsavory love affairs.
What are the cons of artificial flowers? ›
Just so you know, artificial flowers tend to gather dust over time, which can make them look unkempt and may require regular cleaning. Plus, some people may be allergic to the materials used in artificial flowers or the dust that collects on them. Real flowers, on the other hand, do not pose all these risks.
Are fake plants good for you? ›
Real plants do often provide filtration when it comes to the air that we breathe and artificial plants won't do that. However, research has found that in terms of wellbeing benefits such as improving mood and morale, as well as productivity and focus, artificial plants really work.
Are fake plants a fire hazard? ›
Fake plants with flame retardant properties help ensure peace of mind when creating a space both indoors and outdoors. Especially if the artificial living wall is likely to be placed near a fireplace or heat source, you can rest assured that faux plants are considerably low risk.
Fake Hanging Plants for Bedroom
It's an easy, maintenance-free way to save valuable bedroom real estate while still enjoying the benefits of artificial greenery. Don't worry about maintenance, either! With artificial hanging plants, you can hang them, and that's it.
Are fake plants non toxic? ›
So what's the deal? Let out a sigh of relief because your new artificial vertical garden is non-toxic and unlikely to cause harm if ingested. Usually, it will go right through your pet. So, you won't have to track your inquisitive puppy or kitten like an army helicopter when they're playing near your new fake plants.
Do fake plants get dusty? ›
The flowers and petals of an artificial flower are usually made of woven synthetic fabrics. This can make them susceptible to dust and dirt build-up within the porous parts of the material.
What are the cons of fake plants? ›
Faux plants do not offer the same benefits as real plants, such as improved air quality and mental well-being. Real plants release oxygen, improve air quality, and contribute to a relaxing atmosphere. Faux plants lack the vibrant energy and life force that real plants bring to a space.
Do bugs live in fake plants? ›
The short answer is "no." Although they may look real, those plants don't actively attract bugs or insects.
Do fake plants have lead? ›
Lead can sometimes be found in artificial trees. The potential for lead poisoning is great enough that fake trees made in China are required by California Prop 65 to have a warning label.
Is it tacky to have fake plants in your house? ›
Sometimes, a fake plant can look tacky because of tall, exposed branches. For instance, a dracaena's trunks will oftentimes shine brighter than a waxed car. Same goes for ficus, olive, and eucalyptus. However, there are many foolproof options.
Why not keep artificial plants at home? ›
Finally, fake plants don't do anything to improve the air quality in your home as live plants do. So, if you're looking to purify the air in your home, you're better off sticking with the real thing. If you're going for a natural look in your home, artificial plants may not be the best choice.
Is it better to have real or fake plants in house? ›
As low-maintenance as fake plants are, they do not aid in cleaning our air or giving back in a meaningful way like living plants do. Yes, real plants are at risk of plant death at some point, but they are biodegradable, so when they're time is up, they return to the cycle of decomposition, growth and rebirth.
They aren’t eco-friendly. Many fake plants are created in factories using harmful dyes and synthetic materials that aren’t easily recycled. And once a fake plant is faded or damaged, it gets thrown in a trash dump where it will probably take many years to deteriorate. On the other hand, if a real plant needs to be thrown away because it’s dying, it begins to biodegrade almost instantly.