Real or Artificial Plants: Making the Right Choice

We can decorate our homes with real or artificial plants. But, which one is the right choice? They both have their pros and cons. In today’s post, we’ll go over the characteristics of each option so you can make the best decision for your home.

If want to decorate a room, office or your kitchen and are considering plants, choose carefully. Using real plants isn’t the same as using fake ones.

Real plants are beautiful but require special care. On the other hand, artificial plants don’t require as much maintenance but might lack that special detail you’re looking for. This dilemma is commoner than you think. So, comparing their advantages and disadvantages can be helpful.

Artificial plants

Artificial plants are made with different materials that look real (and in some cases, very real). They’re the best option for our readers that don’t spend much time at home or travel frequently because they don’t require watering, potting, positioning for sunlight, pruning, etc.

However, that doesn’t mean that they don’t need any maintenance at all. You still need to remove the dust from their leaves and petals with a damp towel, vacuum or dry rag.

You can find artificial plants that would normally be difficult to care for at home if they were real, like orchids. They won’t grow, reproduce, release fragrances, flower in the spring, nor will they move unless you move them yourself.

If you can’t choose between real or artificial plants, consider that artificial options don’t usually create warmth or inspiration. On top of that, they can even be dangerous, toxic and flammable. However, if you lack the patience to properly care for real plants, artificial ones can be a great decor item. And, they won’t give you insect, pest or fungal problems!

Real plants

However real artificial options might look, real plants and flowers outshine their artificial counterparts. Plants are living beings that change the feel of a room. They offer color and they purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

Real plants are fragrant, ornamental, medicinal and sometimes, we can even eat their fruit or leaves. While they do require a lot of care, some species can handle over-watering or a lot of sunlight and grow independently.

If you’re having a hard time choosing between real and artificial plants, it might be because you don’t have the time to care for real plants. But, have you ever thought about the wonderful therapy that potting and pruning could provide? That much-needed connection to nature could be right in your own home.

Taking care of real plants

For starters, we recommend looking for a plant that’s easy to take care of and place it next to a window. But be careful; make sure the leaves don’t wilt or burn as a result of the direct sunlight.

If you’re a forgetful waterer, try setting an alarm on your phone or use a watering system. Put a bottle cap full of water on top of the soil. When it evaporates, your plants will use the resulting humidity. There are other ways too, like using a bottle that’s full of water and string. Pull one end of the string into the soil. And you’re ready to go on vacation!

You can also opt for plants that don’t need a lot of water, like cacti or succulents. They’re smaller in size and brighten up any setting thanks to the colored pots that they’re sold in.

Still going back and forth between real and artificial plants? Do a test run and buy them both! After a few days, you’ll know the best option for your home.