We researched dozens of fake plants from the most popular home sites, evaluating quality, appearance, and overall value. Our favorite, the Pure Garden Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, is full, lush, and set in a sturdy pot. Here are the best fake plants available online. Fiddle leaf fig trees are among the most coveted plants around. The only problem? Big ones boast a considerable price point—one that’s tough to justify paying if you know you have a black thumb. Thankfully, there are tons of great faux fiddle leaf fig trees out there, and Wayfair’s Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree is one of the most realistic-looking around. The tree boasts a series of narrow trunks and thin branches, both of which are dotted with lush leaves. These leaves are fluffable and the branches are adjustable, so you don’t have to leave your tree as-is. Instead, you can customize it until it looks exactly as imperfect and organic as you want it to—and until it suits your space just right. Price at time of publish: $140 The faux tree boasts three narrow trunks, which feed into a series of 333 palm leaves. That’s a significant amount of faux greenery—and one that promises to leave the tree looking incredibly lush. Our tester found it to be the most realistic of the fake plants she’s tried, with easily malleable (albeit, slightly scratchy) leaves and intentional imperfections. “The trunk manages to capture the rubbery feel that some palm leaves can have,” she said. “It also stays lifelike by impersonating imperfections, like the brown and yellow that can appear on trunks and branches, so that the tree looks like a natural, healthy plant.” Despite its size, the tree weighs a mere 11 pounds, so it was easy for her to move from room to room. While it does come in a black pot, if you’re looking for something with a bit more flair, you might want to swap it out. Price at time of publish: $169 The set comes with 16 different fake succulents, which mimic favorites like hawthoria and echeveria plants. But unlike many other fake plants, these faux succulents come completely unpotted. This would normally be a downside, because it means more work for you. But since we’re dealing with tiny succulents, it’s actually a plus: You can choose whether to pot your succulents individually, or whether to compile them into a low-profile garden. Each faux succulent boasts a sleek, built-in stem, you can easily rearrange them whenever you want to. Price at time of publish: $16 This faux plant is crafted from a blend of polyethylene and PEVA, both of which are plastic polymers. The two materials work together to form leaves that feel thin, sturdy, and just a little bit shiny—mimicking the look of a live monstera. And since the plant is faux, you won’t have to wait to see “splits” (the holes that make monstera leaves so iconic)—they’ll be there from the start. What’s more? The faux plant is available in four different sizes, ranging from 3.5–7.5 inches. This flexibility means you can find a faux monstera that perfectly suits your space. Some of the different sizes boast different colorways, so you can choose whether you want a solid or variegated faux monstera plant. Price at time of publish: $60 This cactus is available in two different sizes, which vary in shape accordingly. If you’re looking for a statement-maker, you can choose the 55-inch option in its burlap-wrapped plastic pot. Or you can keep things low-profile by choosing the 25-inch cactus that comes in a terracotta pot. Either way, you’re in for a delightful faux plant. (And since the cacti look so different, you could just as easily buy both and put both on display in your home.) Price at time of publish: $129 Home Depot’s Artificial Large Boston Fern comes in a woven basket that makes it particularly easy to hang. And it boasts the thin, fluffy leaves you’d expect to find on a real fern. Also nice? The plant is lined with unwieldy stems that stick out here and there. These stems leave the fern looking even more realistic than it already does, making this a faux plant worth investing in. Price at time of publish: $92 On its own, this fan-favorite faux plant is worth the investment—but the planter it comes in makes the deal even sweeter. The faux aloe plant ships inside an earthy terracotta pot, which is just as statement-making as the plant itself. Price at time of publish: $40
Size
Just like live plants, fake plants come in a range of different sizes. So consider how much space you have to dedicate to your faux finds. If you want an accent piece that can dominate a corner, consider a fake tree—like a faux palm or faux fiddle leaf fig. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, you may be better suited by a small faux cactus—or even a collection of teeny-tiny faux succulents.
Pot
Many fake plants come in pots, but some do not. So if you’re expecting a planter, double-check that the plant you’re eyeing comes in one. And if it does come in a planter, pay attention to what material that planter is made out of. (A classic terracotta planter is a stellar find. But a flimsy plastic one? Not so much.)
Imperfections
Very few people buy fake plants wanting something that looks fake. More often than not, they want something realistic—and this means finding a faux plant that doesn’t look unreasonably perfect. So look for fake plants with brown spots, imperfectly shaped leaves, or scraggly branches. And if you can find an option with adjustable leaves and branches—which you can mold into any shape you want—even better. “[Be sure to] take some time to prune and bend the leaves into a more natural presentation after unpackaging,” says Betsy Moyer, co-founder of the experiential design firm Retreat.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Having lived in many low-lit apartments, The Spruce contributor Lindsey Lanquist appreciates the value of a good fake plant. For this piece, she sought out fake plants with slight imperfections (brown spots, scraggly branches, etc.), adjustable foliage, and great reviews. For additional insight, she consulted with Betsy Moyer, co-founder of the experiential design firm Retreat, along with feedback from The Spruce’s own product testers. To recap, you don’t have to stick to the one fake plant per room rule. But it probably is a good idea to keep your faux plant selection pared-down and focused on quality. And remember, you can always fill your home with a combination of fake plants and live ones.
