Is It OK To Put Fake Flowers Outside?
16th Mar 2022
Will Artificial Flowers Last Outdoors?
Fake flowers have become increasingly popular due to their many benefits. Their long life and low-maintenance top the list of reasons why people prefer them. Not only do high-quality fake plants look good, but they also mimic natural plants extremely well, giving a refreshing touch to your home or office interior.
With more and more people using fake plants for interior home decoration, many are curious about whether they can put these plants outside as well. If you're interested in knowing too, you're in the right place! Here, we'll discover what happens when you put fake plants outside, what types of plants are suited for outdoors, as well as the pros and cons that come with artificial plants. Let’s dive right in.
Do Fake Flowers Improve Your Outdoor Look?
If you love to see greenery in your garden and entrance, you know the amount of hard work it takes, keeping them lush green and looking their best all year round. Having a blooming garden with all-natural plants is not everyone's cup of tea, especially in today's busy world. People are always short on time, and it isn't easy to maintain a healthy garden even if you don’t green thumbs.
Fake plants add to the beauty of your lawn by filling in the spaces that otherwise look incomplete. They make it greener without any need for high maintenance. Also, fake plants provide a quick and simple trick to add a greener touch to your landscape.
Do Fake Flowers Get Faded In The Sun?
This is the top concern when people think of placing faux plants outside. It is also considered their most significant downside as the colours of fake plants fade and can change colour in extreme sunlight. However, this problem occurs with plants that are specifically made for indoor use, not outdoor use. Artificial plants designed for outdoor use are manufactured to be sun resistant.
Since they are UV protected, they can stay in their original condition for a long time without fading or changing colour. They can even resist heavy rainfall while maintaining their colour and shine. However, this is only possible if you purchase the right products, for the right areas.
Why Is Artificial Greenery A Good Idea?
No Seasonal Limitation
Regardless of how much you want to look at your favourite flowers in bloom all year long, this is not the case. Most plants, especially flowering ones, are seasonal and have a short blooming life. You have to wait the whole season to see them look at their most impressive again. Fortunately, fake plants are independent of this limitation. They remain evergreen as long as you take proper care of them. They do not die and will always maintain the perfect look you first saw them in.
Easy Maintenance
It is true that fake plants need maintenance. However, they require far less maintenance than real plants. You do not have to take care of watering them, adding fertilisers, spraying insecticides and pesticides, shedding, and trimming. All they need is a proper and regular clean-up. Keep them clean and protected, and they will remain the same forever.
Alive Even in Autumn
Gardens turn barren during autumn, with the ground filled with dry leaves. Although it sometimes presents a nice aesthetic, it does not compare to the soothing greenery that fresh plants provide. You do not have to worry about autumn or winter with fake plants. Your lawn will stay the same irrespective of the weather.
Vibrant Colours
Fake flowers have an edge in adding more vibrant colours to your plant collection than real ones. You will rarely find different coloured varieties of flowers all blossoming simultaneously. Even if you do, they will start getting dull after a while, and finally, they will wither. A collection of bright artificial flowers can fulfil your desire for a vibrant garden.
Different Types Of Faux Flowers
When shopping for faux plants, you will find a great variety. However, you should know which ones are the most suitable for indoors and which are great outdoors. The following are some of the most well-known fake plants.
Silk Flowers
Silk flowers look stunning due to their shiny texture, but they are generally not outdoor artificial plants. Due to their delicate look, they are pretty expensive compared to other types of fake flowers. You can only use them indoors as they need high maintenance. They can easily get damaged by rain, extreme wind, sunlight, or even pets.
There are some unique silk flowers that are made for keeping outdoors. These are covered with UV-protected material to save them from extreme weather conditions. However, they still have a life of about two months and are prone to getting damaged afterwards.
Paper Flowers
Paper plants are the weakest types of fake plants and should not be kept outside. They can get damaged with the slightest exposure to moisture. Their colours fade quickly when exposed to extreme sunlight. Even a slight mishandling can result in tearing the paper. They are suitable for keeping inside at high places where children or pets cannot reach them
UV-Treated Flowers
Some plants are made to serve the dual purpose of indoor and outdoor decoration. They are UV-treated with a special spray to keep them safe from the heat, making them compatible for both indoor and outdoor placement. They remain fresh-looking for a long time. We recommend that if you’re going to keep your faux plants outside that you spray them with a UV protectant spray regularly.
Plastic Flowers
These are the most common of all artificial plant types and can be placed almost anywhere. They have high resistance against moisture. However, keeping them in sunlight for an extended period can cause them to fade and lose their original colour and shine.
Polyester Flowers
Polyester is a strong material widely used in manufacturing various items kept outside. It is also used in furniture, rugs, pillow covers, and decoration pieces. Polyester plants are not as vulnerable to damage as silk or paper and are among the most suitable types of fake plants for outdoor decoration.
Weather-Resistant Flowers
Factors affecting the life and appearance of an outdoor plant are not limited to sunlight and heat only. Extreme weather conditions such as gusts of winds, heavy downpours and hail can also damage the plant. Weather-resistant plants are specially designed to cope with extreme weather conditions, including temperature, wind, rain, and snowfall. This makes them perfect to put outside.
UV-Resistant Flowers
The ideal choice for an outdoor artificial plant is one with UV resistance. UV resistant plants or flowers are made from a unique material infused with ultraviolet resistance. They can be kept in sunlight without the risk of uv damage. Neither their colour fades nor their leaves become dry.
They provide high durability for outdoor use. Among the types mentioned above, polyester, UV-treated, weather-resistant, and UV-resistant plants are the best to keep outside.
Determinants Of Outdoor Flowers Placement
You cannot put a plant outside even if it is ideal for outdoor placement without considering certain factors. There are some key elements determining the placement of fake plants outdoors.
Location
First, you need to consider where you want to put the plants. Would you like it by the gate or in front of the porch? Location is significant in adding to the beauty of your landscape. Do not place them where anyone can easily identify them as fake. Also, align the placement with the theme you follow for outside decoration.
Sun Exposure
Sunlight stands as one of the most critical factors affecting plants kept outside. On the one hand, it is crucial for natural plants, but on the other, it can harm fake plants. This does not mean you need to keep your faux plants entirely away from the sunlight.
Avoid direct sunlight and place them somewhere where they get just enough sunlight to enhance their features. You have to save them from heat, not the sunlight. Mild sunlight helps give a realistic look.
Weather Conditions
Even if you have weather-resistant plants, do not place them directly exposed to extreme weather conditions. Direct and heavy rainfall can erode the soil and weaken the foundation these plants are placed on. Similarly, severe winds or dry weather can also damage them, resulting in a dim colour, dry texture, or wear and tear. It is better to keep them in a shielded place.
Faux Flowers Placement Ideas
Once you have considered all the essential factors, it is time to get to work arranging fake plants outside. Here are a few valuable ideas to help you make better placements.
Combine With Real Plants
The best way to get an impressive look with artificial plants outside is to create a unique combination of real and faux ones. You can do this if you have a garden (big or small). Try to use the same types of pots and planters for both your real and fake flowers. Adding some natural soil at the top of the pot would be a cherry on top. When watering natural plants, sprinkle some water on the leaves of the artificial ones too.
The Fuller, The Better
With faux flowers, since the pot you will be using is usually filled with foamy blocks at the base, an empty pot might feel too artificial. Filling it in with rocks, soil, and, most importantly, some flower petals will provide a more realistic look. It also diverts attention from the stem and lower part of the plant that usually looks unreal. The focus remains on the flowers and leaves that are at the top.
Add Variety
A fuller pot looks great, but a diverse one looks even better. Create a beautiful combination by layering up the planter with different plants. Take note of the colour scheme and go for a soothing contrast. You can add little vines in a pot along with a typical plant. This makes it fuller and more attractive.
Steps For Cleaning Artificial Flowers
To preserve faux flowers outside, preventing loss of shine, colour, or vibrance, it is essential to clean them properly. Otherwise, they may be covered in layers of dust and cobwebs housing insects. Here is a simple clean-up process for your artificial plants.