The 7 Best Fake Plastic Trees and Artificial Houseplants of 2025
Scientific research is scarce on how buying a fake tree versus a live one might affect the environment. As we briefly discuss in our guide to artificial Christmas trees, one report we found leans toward live Christmas trees being greener in the short run, with fake ones being less environmentally harmful the longer you use them. There may be a break-even point at which the purchase of an artificial tree is equivalent to a certain number of natural trees. But it’s unclear where that point might be for the Christmas sort or otherwise, said Travis Wagner, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Southern Maine. He points out it’s likely substantial, though, given that many artificial trees end up in the landfill, whereas natural trees can be composted.
It’s reasonable to think that when it comes to non-Christmas trees, purchasing a live plant as opposed to a fake one makes even more eco-sense. A real fiddle-leaf fig, for instance, is displayed year-round indefinitely, instead of being tossed after a month, and it can also be replanted or composted. Because it doesn’t spend most of the year in a box, a fake fiddle leaf fig is exposed to daily wear and tear and therefore may not last as long as a fake Christmas tree. But this all assumes that the real tree stays healthy and thrives—and we know that’s not always guaranteed.
A fake plant’s true eco-quotient may, in fact, depend on the characteristics of its real-life counterpart. Many popular species, such as the fiddle-leaf figs, can be “finicky,” New York Botanical Garden’s Marc Hachadourian said. “They might need more light and humidity than can be provided in a typical apartment. And when they’re not happy, they make a dramatic exit. Their leaves drop quickly.” If you’re continually killing and replacing them, it may be more sustainable—not to mention more economical—to buy a single, good-quality artificial plant instead.
As a Vox article points out, the live-plant industry isn’t entirely carbon-neutral either, given the massive amounts of energy required to run a facility and the disruption of the land’s original diverse habitat. Perhaps a more-earth-friendly way to bring green into your home is to take a cue from Miriam Diamond, whose collection started out, in part, as mere clippings from friends’ plants. Granted, this is easier to do with small plants, as opposed to large trees.
As with most things in life, the notion of everything in moderation may work best here. Get the “right [real] plant for the right place” whenever possible, Hachadourian said. When it comes to live plants, consider hardy varieties that are more likely to forgive you if you leave them in a dark corner or forget to water them, such as a snake plant, a cast-iron plant, or a peace lily.
For a space where a plant probably won’t thrive but you’d like to have one there anyway, find an artificial version that you think is equally adorable, despite its flaws. Take good care of it by handling it gently and dusting frequently. Don’t leave it in your yard or on a porch if it’s not meant for outdoor use. “Mix and match,” said Ralph Portillano, who was a senior design manager at Plantshed at the time of our interview and is also a horticulturist. “Don’t try to fight evolution.”
Unfortunately, fake plants made from plastics mixed with other materials can’t be recycled unless you manage to take the whole thing apart. And even then, depending on the quality of the materials, they may not always be recyclable. So in a decade, if you’re ready to move on, you could simply donate your fake tree and let it bring joy to someone else.
