As a passionate advocate of artificial plants and blooms, I think they’re a fantastic alternative – or addition – to fresh flowers. Read on to discover the top 10 benefits of artificial flowers.
1. An allergen-friendly alternative
Allergies aren’t only inconvenient, but they can also be dangerous if the reaction is severe. While I’m lucky that no-one in our family suffers from a pollen allergy or gets eczema from encountering fresh flowers, I can’t guarantee that my guests will be immune. Displaying faux flowers instead means there’s one less thing to worry about and I can trust that every visitor to our home will leave without watery eyes or a red nose!
2. Easy to maintain
When you have an ever-expanding to-do list, caring for your plants and flowers can sometimes feel like just another chore. One of the best things about artificial flowers is that they need very little attention. Instead, they’re simply there to be enjoyed. To keep your faux flowers looking their best, I recommend gently wiping them down with a soft cloth to remove any dust and regularly rotating arrangements on display in direct sunlight to avoid uneven discolouration.
3. A timeless investment
I love the look and fragrance of fresh flowers, but they can be costly. It’s unlikely that even the best bouquets will last longer than two or three weeks before needing to be replaced. In contrast, artificial flowers can remain in full bloom for years with a little TLC. The initial expense may be higher than fresh blooms, especially if you choose high quality, highly realistic faux flowers, but that one-off investment can represent much better value over time.
4. Perfect for pets
If you have a four-legged family member, artificial flowers can be a pet-friendly alternative to fresh plants. Not only are they less likely to be displayed in vases filled with water that can easily be knocked over, but they also don’t risk putting your pets in harm’s way. Unfortunately, many fresh flowers can cause harm to cats and dogs, including daffodils, lilies, tulips, and hyacinths, but can easily be replaced with beautiful faux variations.
5. Versatile placements
One of my favourite things about faux stems is their versatility. There are so many different varieties available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. This means that I can choose large artificial flowers to form a focal piece on my dining table or opt for something smaller to place on my bedside table or sideboard. There’s also no need to consider their proximity to sunlight or heating, which makes artificial stems the perfect choice for shady corners or spots near to the radiator.
6. Reflect your interior style
When buying fresh flowers, you’re limited by the season and the selection available. This could mean restricting the varieties, colours, shapes, and sizes that you can use in your home arrangements. If you have a calming, neutral interior like me, for example, you may be frustrated if your only options are bright summer shades of orange, red, and purple that don’t work with your aesthetic. With faux flowers, you can curate a collection that reflects your personal style year-round without having to consider seasonal availability.
7. Robust and long-lasting
High quality faux flowers are incredibly long lasting. In fact, I’ve been reusing some of my favourite stems for years. They’re also surprisingly resilient and can easily withstand accidental knocks, which is especially beneficial when you live in a household with small children! While you might choose to display some artificial flowers in a clear vase with water, you could choose a solid vase instead, with no fear of unexpected spillages damaging your floor or furniture.
8. In full bloom year-round
I personally find inspiration in nature and like to reflect the season in my faux flower arrangements, but I must admit that I also enjoy knowing that I have the option to use artificial flowers and have access to my favourite blooms year-round. This benefit is especially helpful with flowers that only have short seasons and may not be available to purchase fresh for very long. With my faux stem collection, I have the freedom to incorporate white roses in my winter designs or use bare branches in my spring creations if I wish.
9. Encourage creativity
One of the many reasons that I started flower arranging is that it allows me to express my creativity. Now that Chris and I have The Suffolk Nest, I get to flex my artistic muscles every day. Artificial flowers are ideal for experimentation; the sturdiness of each stem means that I can swap them in and out of different displays until I find the perfect combination. I can also play with height by bending each stem and simply bending them back when I come to reuse them. If you’re new to flower arrangement and want to indulge your creativity, I highly recommend faux flowers.
10. Unbelievably Realistic
In the past, artificial flowers didn’t have the best reputation. Happily, today’s faux florals are completely different to the ones you might have seen in childhood. The stems that Chris and I source and stock are incredibly realistic. In fact, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between my favourite faux flowers and their fresh counterparts. They not only look like the real deal, but they feel authentic to the touch too.
