Is It OK To Put Fake Plants Outside?

ensure they have a long and fruitful life in your garden.

Choosing the right plant

Choosing the right plant from the start is key. Choosing an artificial outdoor plant usually means it is UV-resistant and will withstand normal weather.

If you decide to use an indoor plant outdoors, the best advice we can offer is to place it in a sheltered area away from direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Using UV sprays

Some retailers recommend and offer UV protection sprays for foliage. At this time, we have not tested these sprays and therefore cannot recommend them.

The main problem with sprays is that it is difficult to cover 100% of the plant. If any point is missed, it can cause parts of the plant to deteriorate quickly.

In contrast, our outdoor plants are inherently UV-stable and they have UV-resistant chemicals added to them during the manufacturing process. This ensures an even level of protection throughout the plant.

Drainage

When potting artificial plants, it is important to consider rainfall and how it will drain out of the pot. Most outdoor pots have drainage holes that can be drilled. We strongly recommend that you do this.

If you are planting your artificial plants in the ground, place some rocks or sand in the ground first to help drainage around the base of the plant.

Pruning trees

Some of our outdoor pruning trees have natural wooden stems. Ideally, try to treat them with a clear preservative every year to keep them in top condition. For more information, check out our guide to planting artificial trees in the ground.

Extreme weather

Extreme weather events are increasing in the UK. While outdoor artificial plants, trees and flowers are designed to withstand the weather, sometimes you should take extra steps to protect your artificial plants.

Storms

Storms usually pose two major threats to your artificial plants: strong winds and heavy rain.

Rain is not usually a problem, but if it rains a lot in a short period of time, the ground and pots can become soaked with water. If your artificial plants have natural wooden stems, the stems will temporarily absorb the water. Once the weather improves, the stems will dry out and not be a problem. However, wet stems are more likely to break if you encounter strong winds.

Strong winds can also cause artificial plants and trees to topple over. This can result in broken stems and damaged leaves.

The best course of action is to move your artificial plants to a safe location. If you can move them to a shed, garage or sheltered area, the risk is greatly reduced. If the plant cannot be moved, consider reinforcing it with a stand or tying it to a nearby structure.

Heatwaves

The main threat to plants during heatwaves is the sun. More sunlight means more UV rays, which can shorten the life of artificial plants. Products such as hanging baskets and window boxes are particularly susceptible because their petals can change color.

During heatwaves, you should protect artificial plants by moving them to a shaded area or temporarily covering them.