Have you ever secretly pinched lush looking foliage, just to check whether it’s real? You’re definitely not alone!
Artificial plants have come a long way since the days when they looked decidedly lifeless, plastic and a bit dusty. These days, high-quality faux plants and green walls are in hot demand, with interior designers, event planners, and home decor enthusiasts always looking for the perfect no-fuss greenery for their space.
However, despite all the improvements to artificial plants in the last few years, the claim that they are made of cheap material has continued to be a persistently spread myth!
So we reckon it’s time to debunk this myth once and for all. We’re giving you a peek behind the scenes at Designer Plants® and the science behind our high-quality, life-like range of artificial plants and green walls.
We’ve also gathered our top tips on what to look out for when choosing artificial greenery for your home or garden.
How High-Quality Artificial Plants Are Made
First thing’s first – here at Designer Plants, we do not sell fake plants made of cheap and nasty plastics. As a matter of fact, we use a variety of non-toxic, earth-friendly materials that are ROHS compliant.
That means our artificial foliage doesn’t just look the part, it’s also safe and does not contain nasties such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and a couple of other toxins you don’t want to have around you and your loved ones.
We are particularly proud to be the first faux greenery supplier worldwide to offer 100% recyclable green walls made from sustainable materials. Our recycling programme will take care of your vertical garden, should you decide to part with it.
We use various materials for different plants and their particular requirements, which includes high-grade fabrics, polyester, and polymers. And before you say “I knew it!”, not all plastics are bad. Research and technology have come in leaps and bounds, offering surprisingly eco-friendly options.
In fact, sourcing environmentally sustainable materials continues to be one of our central business goals. It’s definitely something we’re always working towards.
The materials that we choose also depend on a plant’s natural look, feel and shape. Does it have delicate leaves or large and glossy foliage? Does it have bold, showy flowers or a carpet of small petals?
At the end of the day, the most important thing to us is choosing the right materials and design technology to achieve that high-quality, realistic look.
Of course, we also factor in the functionality and durability of all the plants we sell, which is why we treat our outdoor green walls and hedges with built-in UV protection so they can withstand the harsh Australian sun.
Factors To Consider When Buying Quality Artificial Plants
One of the positive things to come out of the last two years is the trend of creating cosy homes and private green oases. For many of us, this meant doing what we could to bring the outside in.
Sadly, we’re not all born with green thumbs! Plus, let’s be realistic – we don’t all have the patience and time to keep a real plant alive.
That’s where faux plants come in! Artificial greenery offers realistic-looking plants without any maintenance. It also helps that artificial plants come in a variety of colours and designs to suit your space.
Not sure which artificial plants are right for you?
Here are our top tips to help you find your next favourite high-quality artificial plant:
The right plant for the right spot:
Where do you want to add green lushness to your space? Is it outdoors or indoors? Do you need privacy? Is it for a small corner, or are you looking for a large statement piece? These are some of the first few decisions to make.
But don’t worry, you don’t necessarily have to live with these decisions forever! Our plants and even our vertical gardens are easy to set up and move around, and you can happily change the look of your space whenever your needs change.
Durability:
Truthfully speaking, the initial outlay for an artificial plant is greater than for its real-life counterpart. However, good-quality faux plants generally also last longer.
As a rough guide, artificial greenery made of polymers will have a lifespan of three years or more, while plants made of silk between one to three years. But you can extend the life of your artificial plants using our UV protection spray.
Texture:
Technology advancements mean that artificial plants can now boast an ultra-realistic textile quality and real-touch materials.
It’s also worth noting that many of the trendy house plants already have a naturally slightly plasticky aesthetic.
So start looking for inspiration and find a plant you like best, and then invest in a high-quality faux version that you can’t tell apart from the real deal.
High-quality materials:
This is an area we continuously strive to improve. Quality and sustainability are at the heart of all our business decisions.
We want to ensure that you, our customer, receive exceptional value for your money every time, and be able to enjoy your faux plants for years to come.
We are also passionate about doing good for our planet – it’s the only one we’ve got, after all. For example, apart from our 100% recyclable artificial green walls, did you know that our new line of pots and planters is made of recycled materials?
The Difference of Plastic and Fabric
Whether you choose a plastic or a silk plant depends largely on the look and intended use of the plant.
High-quality polymers will most likely replicate a plant that is bold, glossy, and large-leaved in real life. Think of plants like the ever-popular Magnolia, Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree, succulents, Bird of Paradise and some types of ferns.
A Peace Lily, or an Orchid, that queen of flowers, has large but naturally more delicate, thinner petals in hues of whites, yellows and pinks. Silk is the more appropriate material for these lovelies.
Another deciding factor is whether your plant will be indoors or outdoors, in the shade or full sun.
Our green walls and hanging gardens are made of recyclable and UV-resistant materials, whereas silk plants are made for shady spots.
If your Peace Lily looks best on a sunny window sill, though, a spritz of our UV spray will keep it looking lush for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Artificial plants are right on trend and the ultimate low maintenance dream.
The visions of cheap-looking plastic plants that gathered dust on a bookshelf right next to the plastic-covered sofa are long gone.
Today, our vertical gardens, green walls and beautifully crafted flowering plants and stems make for eye-catching entrances, calming office spaces and dreamy wedding arrangements – no green thumb required!
What are you after? Discover more about our range of artificial plants or get in touch with one of our Designer Plants experts to find an eco-friendly artificial plant to suit your needs and taste and add that green feel-good to your space.
