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I have a soft spot for houseplants. They really breathe life into a home, don’t they? But let’s be real, my track record with keeping them alive isn’t exactly stellar. Between two rambunctious toddlers and life’s endless distractions, remembering to water and care for live plants is just not in the cards for me anymore. And if I’m being completely honest, I’ve never been great at it anyway (please don’t judge!).

To make matters worse, my little ones seem to view my precious plants as their personal playground, constantly tugging, pulling, and digging up soil from the pots. So, if you’re anything like meā€”busy or lacking a green thumbā€”fake plants are the way to go. It’s time to fully embrace the faux plant lifestyle and invest in some realistic-looking alternatives.

From hanging eucalyptus to faux succulents and even faux fiddle leaf fig trees, there’s a wide variety of high-quality fake plants out there that look incredibly lifelike. And the best part? They require minimal to no maintenance at all.

Here’s a look at a few places where you can find the best fake plants that look surprisingly real.

fake plants that look like real plants

Best Places to Shop for Fake Plants

Target

Target offers an exceptional selection of artificial trees and plants that appear very modern. Their range includes a variety of fake plants that boast an incredibly realistic appearance. What’s even better is that they frequently offer promotions, with discounts of up to 60% off during certain seasons.

Their lush greenery and faux plant collections feature brands such as Threshold, Project 62, and collaborations with celebrity designers like Studio McGee and Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV’s Fixer Upper series.

When it comes to furnishing my short-term rentals and Airbnb listings, Target is my go-to destination for fake plants. They offer an extensive array of faux house plants at affordable prices, starting as low as $5. From extra-large fake birds of paradise plants to artificial fig in a basket that look surprisingly real, Target has every type of artificial plant you can imagine.

Visit Target Store

Ikea

Ikea offers a smart mix of simple staples and affordable, trendy items, along with a great selection of artificial plants. Their range starts as low as $.99, featuring everything from plant garlands to large fig trees.

You can also customize your plants by swapping out the original pot for one of their modern options, available in various shapes and colors.

houseplant next to chair

Visit Ikea Store

World Market

World Market is a fantastic retail store that specializes in original and handmade items from around the world. They carry unique goods and handicrafts such as furniture and home dƩcor.

They have an amazing selection of fake plants that you are going to love. Their fake fiddle leaf tree and faux olive tree are extremely popular and trendy.

Visit World Market

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is an arts and crafts store that features lots of home decor items. This place is absolutely worth a trip. It can be a bit unassuming from the exterior, but once you walk in, you will be shocked by its realistic-looking options.

They often run sales on seasonal items, up to 50% off, already reduced items. This store is a mecca of fake plants.

Visit Hobby Lobby

Ross Dress for Less

Ross Dress for Less is one of my favorite stores – it is very affordable and have a wide selection of artificial plants and faux greenery. All different sizes, styles, and colors that look so real in person. Most of their artificial plants come in a cute ceramic pot that is super stylish (a sweet added bonus). Prices start as low as $3.99.

You can also find artificial flowers to round out your faux collection in their stores. Check out my Instagram post on the amazing selection of faux flowers I found on my recent shopping trip to Ross Dress for Less. You would be surprised at the gems you can find at this top pick.

faux plants from ross dress for less

Nearly Natural

Nearly Natural is one of the few exclusive artificial floral companies. They pride themselves on offering florals and plants that look so real, they’re nearly natural – hence the company name.

They have a strong online presence, and their prices are reasonable (you can get up to 25% off just for joining their email list). They also offer a wide array of fake sansevieria plants and cactus plants that look exceptionally real.

Visit Nearly Natural

Amazon

This list would not be complete without mentioning Amazon. Amazon has one of the largest selections of fake plants for you to choose from. I love this Palm Silk Tree and Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree from Amazon.

Both trees offer a very realistic look for any space. I would jazz these trees up with a nice basket or a large ornate plant pot.

Visit Amazon

Other online stores to consider:

  • At Home
  • Wayfair
  • Etsy
  • Home Goods
  • Lowes
  • Home Depot
  • Walmart
  • Big Lots
  • West Elm
  • Crate & Barrel

If you are on a budget, you can always test out the local dollar store (like Dollar Tree) as they carry many home decor items for budget shoppers. Dollar Tree sometimes carries very small plants, including real-looking fake succulents.

The Best Fake Plants That Look Real

Fake plants have become more than just a trendā€”they’re practically a fashion statement. Thanks to technological advancements, they’ve evolved from obviously fake to strikingly lifelike.

Adding plants to your living space is a fantastic way to personalize your home and spruce up your apartment without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re versatile enough for both indoor and outdoor use.

Keep in mind that not all fake plants are created equal. Pay attention to factors like texture, material, and overall appearance. The best faux options mimic the natural aesthetic of real plants. Here are some faux plants that nail the realistic look:

  1. Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree: These trees boast large, glossy leaves and slim trunks, making them a stunning addition to any space. While real fiddle leaf fig trees require specific conditions to thrive indoors, their faux counterparts are a popular choice for their beauty and low maintenance.
  2. Olive Tree: Olive trees exude charm and can instantly elevate the ambiance of a room. Whether adorned with black or green olives, they add a unique decorative touch to your home decor.
  3. Succulents: Even real succulents can sometimes appear fake due to their distinctive appearance. Opting for faux succulents eliminates the risk of overwatering and ensures they maintain their lifelike appeal.
  4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria): This snake plant is visually striking with its vertical foliage and green stripes. While real snake plants thrive on neglect and low light, faux versions require zero upkeep and offer the same eye-catching aesthetic.
  5. Monstera: Faux monstera plants effortlessly infuse a tropical vibe into any space, adding a pop of greenery and style to your home decor.

Consider exploring other faux plants like cacti, ferns, aloe, palm trees, and pothos plants as well.

Other ideas you might like:

How to maintain fake plants?

As far as maintenance, all you have to do is dust or wipe it down (every now and then) with a piece of cloth. And whallah, you have a new plant once again. That’s it. Very simple and easy to take care of.

Do you have any particular places where you can find fake plants? Please drop a comment below to let me know what you think. Feel free also to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration and home decor ideas.

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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.

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9 Comments

  1. Extremely helpful and perfect timing! Have been planning to re-decorate my living room for a while now and wanted something green, fresh, and joyful without stressing about cleaning or colors fading…Thanks for sharing this list!

  2. I LOVE decorating with fake plants! Ikea is one of my favorite places to shop for home decor. I liked seeing some other store ideas! Thank you for sharing!

  3. This is helpful. I can’t keep plants alive as my house has very little natural light, but sometimes the fake ones look… well… fake. I’ll check some of these out, thanks.

  4. So glad I came across this article. As much as I love ‘real’ houseplants, my schedule just doesn’t fit into tending for them – maybe I am also a bit lazy! Thank you for the alternatives.

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