14 Artificial Plants That Pass for the Real Thing, With None of the Work
Houseplants are one of the best home decor items to add to any space. With so many different species and varieties available, it’s easy to find a plant that matches your decor style. But, what is actually not easy is keeping those plants alive—which is why you're here, looking for the best fake plants (we're assuming) that look good, but will never die on you.
Many popular houseplants—think monstera, pothos, rubber plant, and the ever-so-trendy fiddle leaf fig tree—come from tropical climates and require lots of work, especially if you live in a dry climate, or a climate with extreme temperatures, to help them thrive. If you love the look of houseplants but have found plant parenting challenging, or know that your space isn’t well suited for the proper sunlight, temperature, and humidity required to keep them alive, faux or artificial plants are an excellent alternative.
The best fake plants, at a glance
- Best snake plant: West Elm, Faux Potted Sansevieria Plant ($159-$179)
- Runner-up snake plant: Hollyone, Artificial Snake Plant ($29)
- Best taro leaf plant: Der Rose, Taro Leaf and Greenery Leaf Faux Plant With Pot ($18)
- Best fiddle leaf fig tree: 1-800 Flowers Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree 47" ($100)
- Best pothos plant: Hearth & Hand with Magnolia, Faux Variegated Pothos Hanging Plant ($25)
- Best donkey tail plant: West Elm, Faux Potted Donkey Tail Plant ($39-$59)
- Best eucalyptus tree: Diiger, Artificial Eucalyptus Tree Plant ($90)
- Best zamifolia plant: Primrue, Faux Foliage Zamifolia Plant ($100)
- Best succulent: Kurrajong, Farmhouse Artificial Plant in Pot ($30)
- Best spiderwort plant: West Elm, Faux Potted Spiderwort Plant ($39)
- Best yucca plant: Amazon Basics, Artificial Yucca Plant ($62)
- Best monstera plant: Viagdo, Artificial Monstera Deliciosa Plant ($65)
- Best rubber tree: West Elm, Faux Potted Rubber Tree ($127-$406)
When you think of fake plants, you might think of sad-looking plastic or fabric-based plants that look anything but the real deal, but artificial plants have come a long way. In fact, some of them are so realistic that it’s hard to tell they aren’t actually alive. To find the best artificial plants, you need to first know where to shop, and we have had lots of luck at Amazon, Target, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. From a stunning snake plant that looks exactly like its live counterpart to a realistic-looking pothos plant and everything in between, here are our top picks for the best fake plants online.
West Elm’s collection of faux plants is truly outstanding and so realistic. One of the most impressive varieties in its collection is the Faux Potted Sansevieria Plant, aka a fake snake plant, that looks so real that you’ll have everyone fooled. The plant comes in both dark green and green with yellow edges in two sizes and a small and sleek plastic plant pot that looks great on its own, or can easily be placed inside a ceramic planter for a more elevated look.
Dimensions: 8” x 38”
Weight: 10.7lbs
Colors: Green, green multi
For another snake plant option that is more affordable than West Elm’s, consider the Hollyone Artificial Snake Plant from Amazon. This faux plant costs less than $30 and looks just like a Black Robust snake plant, which features a darker leaf with monochrome striping as well as five other snake plant varieties to choose from, depending on your personal preference.
Dimensions: 6” x 16.5” x 4.9”
Weight: n/a
Colors: 6
These artificial plants are so lush and perfectly green, nobody will know they’re not the real thing unless they really examine them. Even the stones look realistic. Since this set comes with two plants (and the pots are are on the smaller side), we envision these on a nightstand, office desk, or kitchen table. They make for a calming centerpiece or bedroom decor—with no hassle, of course. And, well, you can’t beat the price. They have excellent reviews from shoppers, with one writing, “I love these plants!! they are perfect, study, and well-made!!”
Dimensions: 11.3” x 4.3” x 4.3”
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
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Rather than dealing with the mood swings of an actual fiddle-leaf fig tree, buy this one instead. It’s just as gorgeous as the real thing and comes potted in a rattan basket with faux soil (which is also looks as real as actual dirt). It’s compressed upon arrival, so once it’s unwrapped, spruce up the leaves and flounce up the stems to give it some life. From there, all you have to do is enjoy its beauty—no watering or repotting necessary.
Dimensions: 47″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Pothos are some of the easiest houseplants to care for, but if you don’t have the right lighting, they can still give you a hard time. If you love the look of a satin pothos plant, consider snagging this Faux Variegated Pothos Hanging Plant from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia at Target, which is inspired by the satin variety. The artificial plant costs less than $25, which is about the price you would pay for a live satin pothos of the same size—and have incredibly realistic-looking leaves. On top of that, it comes in a super chic hanging basket that meshes well with a variety of home decor styles.
Dimensions: 12” x 14” x 14”
Weight: 1.08lbs
Colors: 1
If you love trailing succulents, you will hardly be able to tell the difference between a live donkey tail plant and this Faux Potted Donkey Tail Plant from West Elm. The artificial houseplant comes in both small and medium sizes and comes with a pot that looks beautiful on its own but can also be easily placed inside a different pot, depending on your style.
Size options: 2 (small, medium)
Dimensions: small is 6.3″ x 12.6″ x 12.6″; pot is 4.5″ x 4″
medium is 6″ x 7.5″ x 18.5″; pot is 5.1″ x 5.1″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Indoor trees can really liven up a place but they can also be hard to look after, which is why we love the Diiger Artificial Eucalyptus Tree Plant from Amazon. This artificial tree is six feet tall and comes in a small garden pot that can easily be spruced up by placing it inside a chic indoor pot. The leaves and branches are also so realistic, it’s hard to tell that it’s not a real tree. On top of that, it costs less than most live eucalyptus trees of this size, sans the risk of it dying.
Dimensions: 7″ x 8″ x 71″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Zamifolia plants don’t require a lot of work or even a lot of sunlight. However, if you’re in a space that gets too little light, they can still give you a hard time. Lighten up the darkest corner of your space with a little plant love, thanks to the Primrue Faux Foliage Zamifolia Plant from Wayfair. This 35-inch plant features nine sprigs of real-looking leaves that will stay that way forever without ever going brown. It also comes in a small black pot that is used as the base and can be placed inside a ceramic planter for a more elevated and realistic feel.
Dimensions: 35” x 18” x 18”
Weight: 3.8lbs
Colors: 1
Small succulent plants are one of our favorite ways to spruce up a space. However, depending on where you live, they don’t always do well indoors (or at all). For a climate-friendly alternative, consider the Kurrajong Farmhouse Artificial Plant in Pot, which looks so real that it will make you do a double take. Inspired by the look of a real succulent, this faux plant features supple and spikey leaves that look super realistic without the stress of remembering to water it. On top of that, it comes in a super chic cement gray plant pot, so it’s ready for any indoor (or even patio) space.
Dimensions: 4.5″x 4.5″ x 8″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Plants are an easy way to add a touch of color to your home, thanks to their lush green leaves. But, if you want to add a little more color to your space, go with the West Elm Faux Potted Spiderwort Plant, which boasts realistic variegated leaves in green with a touch of white and pink. On top of the realistic greenery, this fake houseplant comes in a stylish ceramic pot with fake dirt that will make others think you have a green thumb.
Dimensions: 26″ x 19″ x 9″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
A yucca plant is an excellent addition to bare corners in homes and offices alike. However, not every space has enough sunlight to keep these plants happy. No matter what your lighting situation looks like, the Amazon Basics Artificial Yucca Plant with Plastic Nursery Pot will thrive. This plant stands at 40 inches tall and comes in a plastic black nursury pot that looks good on its own but can also be easily covered in a chic ceramic pot with some moss on top for some added foliage styling.
Dimensions: 19.7” x 19.7” x 40”
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Fiddle leaf fig trees are, without a doubt, one of the hardest houseplants to care for and are notorious for drooping and dropping their leaves with any slight change. If you’re frustrated with your fiddle, you can get the same look with a faux variety for about the same price as a real one at Pottery Barn. This artificial tree features one stem that stands up straight with 19 leaves for a more lush appeal. On top of that, it comes in a beautiful ceramic planter that is ready to style in your home.
Dimensions: 14″ x 14″ x 42″
Weight: 7.25lbs
Colors: 1
Monsteras are another popular houseplant, but they do require the right amount of sunlight to remain so regal-looking. For the best fake monstera plant, consider the Viado Artificial Monstera Deliciosa Plant, which features large split leaves that look so realistic for a fake plant. The best part about this plant is that all of the leaves have a wire base, so you can bend them into shape and get the plant to look the way you want it (which is definitely not always the case with real monsteras).
Dimensions: 6″ x 6″ x 46.8″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
Rubber trees are typically good options for those who can’t keep fiddle leaf fig trees alive, as they’re a little more durable than the finicky fig. However, they’re not entirely resilient, so a faux rubber tree might be a better option for your home. If you’re on the hunt for one that looks super realistic, you might have a hard time finding one as most definitely look fake, with the exception of the Faux Potted Rubber Tree from West Elm. Inspired by the classic dark green leaf variety, this rubber tree comes in both 3 feet and 6 feet tall with the option to include a stunning modern planter, for a more authentic look.
Size options: 3′, 6′
Dimensions: 3-foot plant is 24″x 39″; pot is 12″ x 12″
6-foot plant is 24″ x 68.5″; pot is 14″ x 15″
Weight: n/a
Colors: 1
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