Artificial Flowers & Plants

Which type of faux greenery do you need?

Artificial flower stems

Single stems such as giant alliums, proteas, fringed irises, foxgloves, lilac, stargazer lilies and orchid sprays are the flexible option. Mix two or three varieties in a vase you already own, or repeat one stem for a simpler, more modern look. Long-stem artificial flowers of 75cm and over suit tall floor vases; shorter stems sit better in a jug on a kitchen table.

Potted artificial plants

Potted plants arrive planted in their own pot, so there is nothing to arrange. Choose from artificial orchids in glass, stoneware or stone-effect pots, hellebores in ceramic pots, and tall agapanthus, allium and onion grass in black pots. They are the easiest way to add a finished, living look to a hallway, bathroom shelf or office desk.

Tall artificial plants and trees

For empty corners and the space beside a sofa, tall artificial plants of 120cm and over make the biggest difference. The artificial olive tree in a white pot stands 240cm high, so measure your ceiling height first and leave a little space above the top branches.

Dried flowers and grasses

Dried pampas grass, bunny tail grass and thlaspi seed pods are real plant material that has been dried, not plastic. They bring a softer, natural texture and work well mixed with faux stems. Keep them away from damp and handle them gently, as dried stems are more fragile than artificial ones.

How to make artificial flowers look real

• Pick stems that match the season: alliums and irises for spring and summer, hellebores and dried grasses for autumn and winter.
• Vary the heights. Trim or bend shorter stems so the arrangement steps down towards the rim of the vase.
• Use fewer stems than you think. A loose arrangement of three to five stems usually looks more natural than a tightly packed bunch.
• Match the vase to the stem. Tall, heavy stems need a vase with enough weight at the base so it does not tip.
• Place them where real flowers would grow or be put: by a window, on a dining table or in a hallway, rather than in a dark corner.

Browse our vases and planters and pots to find the right container for your stems.

Choosing the right size

Measure the spot before you choose. For a vase arrangement, the flowers usually look balanced at about one and a half to two times the height of the vase. For a potted plant on a shelf, check the full height and the widest point of the leaves, which is often wider than the pot itself. For a floor-standing tree, check both the ceiling height and the floor space the pot needs.

Caring for artificial plants

Artificial plants only need a light clean to stay looking fresh. Dust them every few weeks with a soft, dry brush or a feather duster. For stubborn dust, use a hairdryer on its cool setting from a short distance. Avoid soaking fabric petals, and keep dried flowers dry at all times.

Artificial flowers & plants: your questions answered

How do you clean artificial flowers?

Dust them regularly with a soft, dry brush or a feather duster, working from the top of each stem down. A hairdryer on its cool setting removes dust from detailed petals. Avoid soaking fabric flowers, and never wet dried flowers or grasses.

Are artificial plants and flowers suitable for outdoor use?

Only use a product outside if its listing says it is suitable for outdoor use. Sunlight, rain and frost can fade or damage plants made for indoor display, so treat any stem or potted plant without an outdoor rating as an indoor piece.

What is the difference between artificial and dried flowers?

Artificial flowers are man-made, usually from plastic and fabric, and keep their colour and shape for years. Dried flowers and grasses, such as pampas and bunny tail grass, are real plants that have been dried. They look softer and more natural but are more delicate.

Do potted artificial plants come with the pot?

Yes. Potted plants in this collection arrive set in the pot named in the title, such as a black pot, a clear glass pot or a ceramic pot. Single flower stems do not come with a vase, so you will need your own vase or jug.

How tall should a fake plant be for a corner?

For an empty floor-level corner, a plant or tree of around 120cm or taller usually fills the space well beside a sofa or chair. Check your ceiling height and leave clear space above the top so the plant does not look squashed.

Finish the look with a vase, a decorative pot or more home decor pieces.