Choosing the Ideal Artificial Plants for Different Workspaces
Not everyone can grow plants. Whether or not you believe that some people have a “green thumb,” the fact remains that live plants have care requirements that may not be always possible in certain situations (e.g., low light conditions).
While caring for your live plant arrangements is often included in expert landscape maintenance services, faux greenery can give you almost the same aesthetic enhancements and health benefits without requiring too much effort.
Getting ready to fit your office with lush, everlasting greenery? This post will guide you through the process of selecting the best artificial plant for your office and indoor workspaces.
Benefits of Artificial Plants in Offices
Bringing plants into your office can help boost productivity by up to 15 per cent.
In a previous blog, we discussed how real, live plants provide certain benefits to your employees’ well-being. But did you know you can also enjoy certain perks with faux greenery in your workspace?
The mere sight of artificial plants in the office can help relieve work stress, sharpen focus, and even boost creativity. While they may rank lower than their natural counterparts, a study found that faux plants still have psychological benefits for those who see them (versus not seeing any type of greenery at all).
Moreover, plants made of synthetic materials are hypoallergenic since they don’t produce pollen that can trigger allergies. And because they don’t require moist soil, they also have a lower chance of growing mould, especially if they are cleaned regularly.
When integrated cohesively into the interior design, these decorative pieces can also enhance the overall workspace aesthetic.
These fake plants also require low maintenance and are more durable, not to mention more cost-effective than live plants.
Considerations for Choosing Artificial Plants
Before buying artificial potted plants, consider the following factors to ensure you pick the most suitable ones for your workspace:
1. The Size of the Space
First, measure the size of the space where you plan to place the faux flora.
Contrary to common belief, artificial greenery isn’t intended to function only as small desk ornaments. In fact, as plantscaping experts, we offer artificial trees and artificial green walls perfect for indoor landscapes.
Of course, if your office space is limited, small artificial plants like potted succulents are great for sprucing up the workspace. You can also hang an artificial fern in the corner to add visual interest to the entire space.
In addition to measuring the room’s length, width, and height, be sure to take into account the existing furnishings. Reception desks, cubicles, and other large furniture can limit the available space for your faux plants.
Pro Tip: Artificial wall plants work well in adding a pop of colour to walls along narrow passageways. If the space is bigger, you can opt for faux hanging vines to create a welcoming atmosphere while still keeping the floor area clear for smooth traffic flow.
2. Room Function
Another key factor to consider when buying faux plants is the function of the space where they will be placed. Some areas benefit from the impact big artificial plants can bring, while others are best decorated with small potted ones.
Below are a few examples:
Reception Areas
Reception areas like those in hotels are crucial in leaving a great impression on guests. Aside from creating a welcoming atmosphere, the sense of ‘bringing nature closer’ has also been found to create a feeling of luxury for hotel clients. One way to do that is to decorate with plants.
If live greenery can’t thrive in the allotted space, you can opt for artificial statement plants that mimic Areca palms in fibreglass pots. If the space can’t accommodate artificial trees, faux plants with big and impressive leaves, like Monstera deliciosa and giant Epipremnum aureum (golden pothos), can still make a significant impact.
Have limited reception area space? Consider a custom-made green wall.
Planters offers bespoke services to create the most suitable artificial green walls for your reception space. Check out this South African jungle-inspired green wall we made from the finest artificial plants for a restaurant in Dubai.
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Conference Rooms
While smaller artificial plants with pots are excellent for putting on top of a table, conference rooms can also benefit from hanging and larger faux greenery. The key is to be selective with the faux plants you place inside. Make sure there’s a variation of size and colour without overwhelming the space.
It also helps to have a theme for the space. For example, a Japanese zen-themed room can benefit from an artificial ginkgo bonsai tree as a focal piece rather than a bunch of colourful fake flowers that can overwhelm the senses.
Open Workspaces and Cubicles
When decorating open workspaces and cubicles with artificial plants, always remember to factor in the room’s traffic flow. Ensure the plants don’t block pathways or interfere with employees’ work.
If the floor space is limited, you can use artificial hanging plants to elevate the overall look of the room. Besides adding dimension to the space, artificial hanging plants can also create the illusion of a taller room.
You can place these by the window or along the corners of separations that divide the room. Incorporating partition screens with synthetic vines or other trailing faux plants is also a good idea.

3. Interior Design
Modern and traditional commercial spaces have varying needs when it comes to artificial flora.
For instance, modern spaces often take a minimalist approach, which means decorating them with just a few objects. If this is your setup, consider artificial sansevieria in sleek planters or wall-mounted artificial monsteras.
For traditional office fit-outs, classic plant choices include small faux orchids and bromeliad table-top arrangements or fake potted succulents. Flowers made of synthetic materials also help add a pop of colour to a room, while hanging artificial ferns make workspaces look and feel more relaxing.
4. Maintenance and Longevity
After deciding on the specific types of artificial plants to use, the next step is to consider the level of maintenance needed to keep them in perfect condition.
Here are some of the basic maintenance steps needed to extend the life of your faux greenery:
- Dust them regularly, at least once a week. This is particularly important for those with white or lighter-hued flowers or leaves.
- Use a soft, small paint brush to clean cacti, succulents, and other faux plants with hard-to-reach areas and inner crevices.
Unlike live plants, synthetic plants do not need direct sunlight. In fact, they may even need protection from it. But if you have no choice but to place your faux plants in a sunny spot in your workspace, turn them every month to make any fading less noticeable.
Artificial trees and topiaries are often UV-resistant. Just remember to check the product label for care instructions.
Faux But Beautiful
Artificial plants provide workspaces with colour and warmth, even areas with minimal sunlight. Make full use of these faux but beautiful interior design elements and incorporate them into your office or commercial space fit-out.
Need help with your synthetic plantscape?
Consult a professional interior designer or talk to our plant specialists here at Planters.
We provide bespoke artificial plant solutions to suit different needs.