How long do fake flowers last?

"Depending on location, faux flowers last anywhere from one to two years," says Wayne. She recommends ensuring proper upkeep through cleaning practices and when displaying and storing your faux florals seasonally. It's also imperative that you consider the placement of your flowers, as exposure to the elements can significantly detract from their longevity.

What are the best fake flowers made of?

The best artificial flowers will use silk or high-quality paper. These two materials provide a soft-touch finish to the flower petal, creating a more realistic appearance. Both types of faux florals will come with an elevated cost, but compared to their plastic and latex counterparts, they are worth the investment. Not to mention that silk flowers, in particular, will last longer than fresh ones with proper care, so the quality and realism are worth the investment.

Can you clean artificial flowers?

Unlike living flowers that need frequent water changes and other forms of maintenance, artificial flowers are not fussy. In fact, lightly dusting your artificial flowers every one or two weeks is the best form of upkeep. This method allows you to keep from damaging the materials that compose the flowers, which would happen if you were to use a cleansing solution.

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Best Fake Flowers — The Spruce / David Hattan

Seasonally elevating your home with fresh flowers is a quintessential practice for many, and it has a host of benefits that span from boosting your mood to brightening up your decor. "There are many options, from high-end shops like Afloral and Terrain to your local street vendor which all range in quality,” says Rachel Wayne, owner of Brooklyn-based floral shop BLXXM. “If you're looking for the most realistic, I’d consider the mid to higher-end shops.”

Fresh blooms can often come at a cost—both literally and figuratively. Luckily, these days, vast species of artificial flowers are on the market, each looking just as life-like as the real thing.

We researched and selected numerous fake flowers, considering material composition, size, and affordability. Our top picks are the florals from the online retailer Afloral. With its environmentally conscious approach to packaging and shipping, plus its strategic sourcing of manufacturers, Afloral offers a selection of artificial and dried flowers that can bring vibrancy and joy into any space.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Afloral Rose Arrangement at Afloral.com

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Best Budget:

Threshold Hydrangea Stem Arrangement at Target

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Best for the Home:

Flovery Peony Arrangement at Etsy

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Best Splurge:

Diane James Allium & Scabiosa Bouquet at Bergdorfgoodman.com

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Best for Weddings:

Floral Home Decor Shop Hydrangea and Calla Lily Arrangement at Etsy

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Best for Outdoors:

Nearly Natural White Geranium Artificial Plant at Home Depot

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Best for Gifting:

Petals Lotus Blossom & Lily Pad Silk Flower Arrangement at Petals.com

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Best Tulips:

Mandy's Artificial Tulip Silk Flowers at Amazon

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Best for Everyday Use:

West Elm Faux Ranunculus at West Elm

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

Afloral

View On Afloral.com

What We Like

Real-touch material
Vessel included

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Direct to consumer only

Online retailer Afloral offers a wide selection of artificial and dried florals that do not skimp on quality, and their Natural Touch Rose Arrangement in Vase is no exception.

The brand strategically sources domestic and international manufacturers that align with its sustainability and environmental conservation efforts. Using high-quality silks and textiles like nylon, these faux florals receive rave reviews touting their life-like appearance and feel.

The rose arrangement includes a delicate blend of soft pink and creamy white roses sitting at 12 inches tall. The stems sit acrylic-preserved in a crystal clear glass vessel, making displaying this arrangement in your home effortless. While the plant is slightly higher in price compared to other brands on the market, the integrity of the florals themselves will ensure that you are not consistently repurchasing flowers to fill your home each season.

Price at time of publish: $280

_{Dimensions: 12 inches | Material: Silk, wire, acrylic, glass}

Target

View On Target

What We Like

Affordable
Easy to access
Timeless

What We Don't Like

Single bunch only
Looks artificial

Target is the go-to shop for quality items at affordable prices, so it's no shock that the company's in-house brand, Threshold, has an ample selection of artificial flowers that align with any interior design style. Its Hydrangea Stem Arrangement in white is a selection that uses low-maintenance polyester to bring a classic essence into your space. Since this floral is cost-effective, you can purchase several stems to fill a vessel that feels appropriate to leave on display with each passing season.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Dimensions: 24 inches | Material: Plastic}

Flovery French Country Peony Arrangement

Etsy

View On Etsy View On Flovery.com

What We Like

Vase included
Real touch material

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Difficult-to-clean flower petals

Because they only bloom for a small window of time each year, peonies are hard to find, and often expensive to acquire. An alternative is to invest in a realistic arrangement of artificial peonies like this option from Flowery. Each petal is crafted from silk, offering that quintessential real-touch quality you should look for when purchasing faux flowers. It also comes in a clear glass vessel, which doesn't distract from the classic beauty commonly associated with this floral species. Offset with green hydrangeas, this visually appealing piece of art is worth the investment.

Price at time of publish: $205

_{Dimensions: 12 x 12.5 inches | Material: Silk}

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Diane James Allium & Scabiosa Bouquet In Glass Vase

Bergdorf Goodman

View On Bergdorfgoodman.com

What We Like

Unique flower species
Vessel included
A mix of real and faux florals

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Shows dust easily

If there's one brand that brings a sense of luxury to the faux floral space, it's Diane James. Her signature arrangements offer an organic touch with a sophisticated and timeless appeal. The Modern Love piece uses a blend of anemones, alliums, and scabiosa that vary in shades of purple and green, emulating a dark, academic aesthetic. Using real-touch materials for the petals, natural bamboo, and preserved moss, you'll find that the price will only add to the conversation that these spark at your next soirée.

Price at time of publish: $495

_{Dimensions: 10 x 13 x 16 inches | Material: Natural-touch fabric, bamboo, preserved moss}

Floral Home Decor Shop White Silk Hydrangea and Calla Lily Arrangement

Etsy

View On Etsy

What We Like

Silk material
Vessel included

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Frequently sells out

Finding centerpieces is only one of the many steps to planning your dream wedding. If you're going with an ethereal and fairytale-inspired theme, this White Silk Hydrangea and Calla Lily Arrangement from Etsy will embody it without fail. Using silk for the petals and offering visual intrigue using height, this assortment doesn't feel too overdone or artificial. It also comes housed in a golden vessel that adds to the display's overall charm.

Price at time of publish: $189

_{Dimensions: 19 x 19 inches | Material: Silk}

Nearly Natural

View On Home Depot View On Nearlynatural.com View On Overstock

What We Like

Realistic
UV-resistant

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Weather-proof not specified

When selecting artificial flowers for your patio or front porch, consider how well the assortment will survive against the natural elements. Nearly Natural took the guesswork out of your next outdoor floral shopping trip when they created the Geranium Artificial Plant. Coming in three shades and housed in a deep slate planter, this slightly oversized blend of blooms is UV-resistant, allowing the blooms to stay vibrant despite direct sun exposure. While this choice uses plastic, a less-realistic material for artificial flowers, it has a greater chance of surviving repeat rain exposure, making it ideal for outdoor use.

Price at time of publish: $253

_{Dimensions: 30 x 30 x 33 inches | Material: Plastic}

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Petals

View On Petals.com

What We Like

Vase included
Affordable
Nationwide shipping

What We Don't Like

Direct to consumer only
Shipping time is slow

Petals is a direct-to-consumer site that offers a wide array of floral assortments that are perfect for sending as your next congratulatory present. The brand's Lotus Blossom & Lily Pad Silk Flower Arrangement includes two lotus flowers suspended in clear resin and housed in a transparent crystal vessel, creating a sense of calm and ease within anyone who beholds it. The realistic quality and nationwide shipping enhance its gifting appeal.

Price at time of publish: $79

_{Dimensions: 10 x 10 inches | Material: Silk}

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Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Affordable
Readily available

What We Don't Like

Made from plastic

Nothing screams spring like tulips, and this 200-piece set from Mandy's is an Amazon find that feels like a bargain. Moderately sized, this bouquet looks perfect in any thrifted planter or vase you've found at your local antique shop. Users note that despite the plastic petals, this assortment still feels life-like and elegant in their space. The brand offers a few different color options, so there is bound to be a variety that will fit your home's color scheme. For the price and availability, Mandy's tulips cannot be beaten.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 8 x 14 x 6 inches | Material: Plastic}

West Elm

View On West Elm

What We Like

Timeless
Vessel included

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Indoor use only

The petals on this West Elm Faux Ranunculus and Vase arrangement might utilize polyester, but each flower petal is hand-painted and curled, adding a more sophisticated and authentic beauty to these faux flowers. Another option that includes a crystal clear vessel, these elegant flowers look great on any surface, from coffee tables to bedroom vanities.

Price at time of publish: $229

_{Dimensions: 12 x 15 inches | Material: Polyester, plastic, wire}

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Final Verdict

With a robust assortment of artificial and preserved flowers varying in species, size, and price, Afloral’s Rose arrangement is our best overall choice for faux flowers. The company uses high-quality materials to create florals that look realistic and provide a much-appreciated aesthetic for any at-home floral arrangement. They also prioritize sustainability through thoughtful product sourcing and offsetting any environmental impact across shipping and packaging. For a more affordable and easily accessible selection of flowers, we suggest the Threshold Hydrangea Stem Arrangement.

Size and Use

The size of your flowers depends on how you plan to use them. Most of the time, both living and artificial flowers are used for home decor, centerpieces, and wedding bouquets. When it comes to flower arranging, Wayne believes that there are three primary principles to follow when making any selection. The first is focal flowers, which are "where your eyes tend to look towards first," she says. These flowers are typically grander than the other species in a display. You also have filler flowers that will make up the bulk of the arrangement. Often smaller in length and bulb size, Wayne suggests trying "carnations, hyacinths, or hydrangeas" to support your focal flowers and cover any open space left in your vessel of choice. Finally, floating flowers have long stems that create a soft and ethereal quality to a display. These inclusions add height and uniqueness to an otherwise condensed floral piece.

Material

"Not all faux flowers are created equal," says Wayne when asked what materials create the most realistic aesthetic in a faux floral arrangement. She recommends considering looking at brands that come at a higher price point, as they offer longevity and feel more genuine.

The most life-like florals will utilize silk as the primary construction of the petals. They provide a delicate touch that often feels missing from textiles like plastic and paper. These varieties do tend to cost more, which can be a barrier to purchase for those on a budget.

You can also find fabric flowers at craft stores that offer a more appealing aesthetic when stacked against latex, which often has a shine to the petals that is an instant tip-off to the artificiality of your arrangements.

Style and Season

Similar to how a flower species blooms in nature or is available at your local floral shop, you should select artificial flowers with seasonality top-of-mind. "Just like you wouldn't keep your holiday tree up all year long, you wouldn't want the same flower arrangement on your kitchen table either," says Wayne, and she's right. Part of the joy of floral arrangements of any kind is that they change the spirit of whatever room they get displayed. Tulips in April feel light and bright, just as sunflowers in the middle of summer bring back a sense of childhood nostalgia.

Care and Maintenance

"Direct sunlight, heat, and dust will naturally cause fading over time," says Wayne, so environmental factors should always be considered when staging an assortment in your space.

To extend that timeframe, it's best to maintain the blossoms regularly by dusting them gently, focusing on both the internal and external petals. You don't want to use any cleansers or sprays, particularly on silk and paper fabrics, as that can undermine the integrity of the textiles. You'll also want to ensure that you are not overcoming the vessel you are using. Crowding the florals together to create a sense of abundance within your display can cause pressure that misshapes individual petals or the entire flower bulb. In that case, it is worth considering upgrading to a larger vase or piece of ceramic.

FAQ

How long do fake flowers last?

"Depending on location, faux flowers last anywhere from one to two years," says Wayne. She recommends ensuring proper upkeep through cleaning practices and when displaying and storing your faux florals seasonally. It's also imperative that you consider the placement of your flowers, as exposure to the elements can significantly detract from their longevity.
What are the best fake flowers made of?

The best artificial flowers will use silk or high-quality paper. These two materials provide a soft-touch finish to the flower petal, creating a more realistic appearance. Both types of faux florals will come with an elevated cost, but compared to their plastic and latex counterparts, they are worth the investment. Not to mention that silk flowers, in particular, will last longer than fresh ones with proper care, so the quality and realism are worth the investment.
Can you clean artificial flowers?

Unlike living flowers that need frequent water changes and other forms of maintenance, artificial flowers are not fussy. In fact, lightly dusting your artificial flowers every one or two weeks is the best form of upkeep. This method allows you to keep from damaging the materials that compose the flowers, which would happen if you were to use a cleansing solution.

Samantha Parsons has been a freelance writer for The Spruce since 2021, with additional bylines in publications like Real Simple, The/Thirty, and Better Home & Gardens. She is constantly speaking with experts and testing dozens of products each month to make sure she recommends the best on the market. For this article, she spent hours researching artificial flowers to ensure that the above selections were of high quality and design. She also spoke with Brooklyn-based florist Rachel Wayne, of BLXXM, to solidify her selections. When she isn’t writing, Samantha works for a skincare brand and stays up-to-date on the latest news and releases across industries.

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