Will Silk Flowers Hold Up Outside?

One of the major concerns when buying silk flowers is whether they can hold up outside elements. The simple answer is yes, but some precautions are necessary. You can determine these precautions by the type of silk flower you choose. Not all fake flowers or silk flowers can withstand outdoor elements. This article will discuss all aspects you need to know about having silk flowers outdoors.

Can Silk Flowers Be Kept Outside?

You can place silk flowers outside to add character to your outdoor environment. You can place them on your patio, spread them throughout your yard, or arrange several to form a garden. Silk flowers will be delicate for the most part, but they can be affected by extreme weather conditions in the long run.
A low-cost silk flower, for instance, may not be able to withstand the sun's UV radiation. UV-protected material isn't required for most silk flowers. But, forgoing UV protection on your silk plant increases the risk of damage over time. Hence, if you absolutely want to have silk plants outside, ensure they are UV-protected.

What Happens To Artificial Flowers Outdoors?

Faux flower garden aren’t always designed to stand up to the elements. It doesn't hurt to place artificial flowers outside once in a while, under the right conditions. However, if you want them to last a long time, keep them mostly indoors. Their durability and lifespans can be affected by wind, rain, hail, proximity to the ocean as well as UV.
By bringing a fake plant inside, they won't be exposed to the same risks or amount of UV rays if placed outdoors. Keeping artificial plants indoors is crucial for those that are not UV-resistant.

Which Faux Flowers Are Designed For Outside?

Weatherproof flowers

When looking to purchase artificial plants for your outdoor garden, keep in mind that very few are designed to be all-weather proof. The artificial plants that are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions tend to be quite plasticky and less lifelike. Note that these may not be protected from UV radiation caused by direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to UV light may damage your artificial plant. Therefore, consider using a UV spray if they're exposed to intense sunlight for most of the day.

UV-resistant flowers

Plants coated with a UV-resistant spray before leaving the warehouse are considered UV-treated. These UV-treated plants are similar to weather-resistant artificial plants. But they've been treated with a UV-resistant material to help them last longer. The coating material used depends on the nature of your environment, in addition to the number of hours per day the plant is exposed to direct sunlight.

UV-protected flowers

UV-protected plants are produced with a proprietary poly-blend material. This blend has a UV protectant integrated explicitly into the flower material during production. As such, this type of faux plant is much more durable, so it will last longer in the sun without fading or becoming brittle due to UV rays. These plants are made using synthetic materials creatively moulded to mimic actual plants.

How Long Will Fake Flowers Last Outside?

Artificial flowers with a high-quality stabiliser applied will last much longer outdoors. However, many factors can impact their durability. As such, it isn't easy to give an accurate lifespan for designer plants. Placing your artificial plants outside exposes them to several factors, including weather, humidity and sunlight and others.

How To Ensure Artificial Flowers Last Long Outside

Select the correct flower type

Picking the right faux plant for the conditions in your area cannot be overstated. Most outdoor artificial plants are UV-protected and built to survive light weather conditions. However, if you opt to take an indoor plant outside, make sure the faux plant is UV-protected or keep it out of direct sunlight. The less intense the outdoor elements are that the product is exposed to, the longer they will last.

Invest in UV sprays

UV sprays are designed to protect and help your faux plants maintain their lush colour. You should ensure that the entire plant is sprayed for the best results. If any part is missed, the plant can lose its colour quickly, specifically in areas which are unprotected from the elements.

Increased sunlight means more UV radiation, reducing the overall lifespan of your artificial plants. Keep your fakes safe by moving them into a shaded area. If the plants are too heavy to carry alone, ask for assistance or cover them up until the harsh conditions subside.

Check on your drainage

Proper drainage is essential even for faux plants. Especially those that you plant in your outdoor garden. You can easily achieve this aspect as most outdoor pots feature drainage holes that let water drain through. Are you planting faux plants in the ground? If so, put some stones or sand in the dirt to help with drainage around the plant's base. By doing so, you will protect your fake plant from unnecessary mould or mildew damage.

Protect from extreme weather

Outdoor artificial plants, trees, and faux flowers are made to resist the elements. But you will still need to be cautious and protect them from extreme weather conditions (such conditions include strong gusts of wind and heavy rain).
Does your fake plant have a natural wood stem? If so, it will soak up moisture and dry out without trouble when the weather improves. If there is prolonged rain and your plants are soaking wet for days on end, this can cause the timber trunks to deteriorate. 
Strong winds should be your primary concern. Why? Because they can blow your artificial trees over, potentially damaging or breaking them. The stems of fake plants easily snap when exposed to strong gusts and heavy rain.

Moving artificial plants out of harm's way is the best thing to do. It will significantly lessen the risk of damage when you move them into a sheltered space. Alternatively, add supports or attach your plant to a nearby structure if it is too heavy to move.

Do Fake Flowers Fade In The Sun?

Untreated fake plants exposed to direct sunlight tend to fade and crack over time. UV-treating artificial plants will increase their survival during the dry summer months.
You don't want to wait until the colour on your fake plant fades away. If you do, then you won't be able to bring them back to their colour and you may have to buy new ones. Below are tips that you can use to make your artificial plants fade-resistant.

Step One: Remove dust using a feather duster

The first step is to use a feather duster to remove dust and dirt from the surface of your plant. You may need to clean it down with a moist cloth depending on the extent of dust build-up. Feather dusters and microfibre cloths are very effective at removing dust.

Step Two: Use cleaning spray

Once your plant is dust-free, clean it well. You can do this by using a non-abrasive household cleaning spray. These sprays include window cleaner or multi-purpose spray. Be sure to use nothing that is harsh. No harsh chemicals as these can be damaging.

Step Three: Wipe the flower clean

Use a damp towel to wipe away any remaining cleaning agent, then finish off with a dry cloth.

Step Four: Apply a UV protection spray

If required, spray UV protectant on the plant's leaves, roots, and blossoms. Fake plants are typically waterproof. Therefore, a decent UV-resistant spray will weatherproof them effectively. This weatherproofing allows you to place them outside.

Step Five: Allow the flower to dry naturally

Allow your plants to dry naturally before adding them to your outdoor garden.

Step Six: Clean your flower pot

Planters come in an assortment of sizes, styles, and materials. You can easily clean plant containers with a towel or vacuum cleaner hose covered in a pantyhose.

How To Remove Yellow Stains From Silk Flowers

Silk flowers that have been in storage for a long time may begin to seem rough, have a musty smell, and develop yellow stains. You can buy a silk flower cleaner to repair your blossoms, but some home treatments can also help. Here's how to easily remove yellow stains from your silk flowers at home:

• Take your silk flowers outside and use compressed air or a hairdryer to blow the dust off of them. If you're going to use a hairdryer, make sure it's set to no heat.
• Place the silk flowers in a zipper bag with two cups of salt or dry white rice facing downward.
• Zip the bag shut, grasp the free end of the stem, and shake the plant for about 30 seconds. Remove the plant from the zipping bag and shake off any leftover salt or rice from the flowers.
• Spritz your flowers with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Allow the plant to sit for 15 minutes.
• Fill the laundry sink halfway with lukewarm water. Next, add in two teaspoons of unscented dish soap. Now, swish the flowers about in the water until the stains come out. Finally, rinse the fake flowers with cool water and dry them with paper towels.

If your silk flowers wrinkle after drying, worry not, as you can smooth them out by using a steamer. The steam will heat up the flowers, causing the wrinkles to disappear.

Caring For Artificial Flowers Helps Them Last Long

Synthetic plants and flowers can thrive in outdoor spaces. As such, they can maintain their appearance for a long time. UV protection is the most critical aspect of outdoor fake flowers maintenance. As such, once you've mastered it, you'll be able to extend the overall lifespan of your artificial plant.

While fake plants are simple to care for, they still need cleaning from time to time. Add artificial plants to your weekly dusting routine. The more you clean your plants, the better they will look for a longer lifespan. Take care not to damage the material or make stains worse while cleaning foliage, stems and delicate petals.

Lastly, it’s worth considering both fake plants and flowers that are suitable for indoors and outdoors. You can find these at Artificial Plant Shop and we have plant specialists to help. With minimal effort, you can create a magnificent fake outdoor garden with plants that will last a long time!

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