You might think that artificial plants and flowers are just
dust traps. They probably are but, then again everything in the home and office
collects dust if it’s stationary for long enough.
Fake flowers are widely used in cemeteries on graves and you
can often see a faded bunch of roses in windows of empty houses so they looked
lived in. Older and cheaper types don’t have any UV protection so will fade
quickly in a sunny window.
Ignoring the stigma put on artificial plants and flowers
there is a place for them in some houses and offices that either don’t have
enough light or for people who don’t pay any attention to real plants to keep
them alive.
Like the natural world, artificial foliage comes in all
shapes, colours and sizes – and quality.
Replicating something that nature does
so effortlessly is no mean feat as plants and trees are complex structures
perfectly designed to carry out their purpose. It takes patience, planning and
raw skill to create and when it’s done correctly; it is indistinguishable from
the real thing unless you feel the leaves and petals. I’m not favouring real or artificial here as
there’s a place for both in some buildings (and gardens) it’s hard to say if a
real plant stimulates the senses any more than an imitation one when you are
walking through a shopping precinct or you catch a glimpse of one of the lovely
range of artificial centrepiece orchids for sale.
Pro’s and Con’s list for
Artificial Plants
I’ve compiled a list of pros and cons regarding artificial
plants. It’s proved to be quite a challenge as what one person will see as a
bonus another could see as a negative. For example you now can't take real
flowers into the hospital when visiting, so artificial ones can be used. That’s
great for allergy sufferers but no so good for people who like to see a bit of
nature.
Pro’s
They won't attract insects and if one does land on a flower
they won’t stay long (Could also be in the con’s list)
They are non-toxic to pets
You can put them anywhere and are great for dark rooms or
rooms with no windows.
Low/no maintenance
Great for allergy sufferers
Good for your pocket – yes they may cost more at the start
that a real plant, but they will last a long time.
They won’t die from neglect. There is the common dilemma
that everybody experiences when keeping living plants alive – when does it need
to be watered? And how many times? Do I buy plant food? The only thing you need
to think of is a duster, the only maintenance they will need in order to keep
them looking fresh is the occasional wipe over with a soft damp cloth. An
artificial plant will only start to look a little worse for wear with the
accumulation of dust; looking after them means they retain their colour and
overall look of freshness forever.
Maintenance is very easy . They’re cleaner, artificial plants will not
shed leaves or petals and there won’t be any water spillages that often occur
when watering living plants. If an artificial plant is accidentally knocked
over, there isn’t the issue of having to clean up any soil.
Temperature will not have any effect on artificial plants,
and so they can be placed anywhere in any environment – in direct sunlight or
cool areas – without the risk of them wilting.
Con’s
Some of the plants and flowers are made with plastic which
can’t be recycled.
Just don’t have that “real” feel
Unlike real plants these don’t raise humidity in rooms
(Could be in the Pro’s list)
They don’t reduce Co2 in the atmosphere (You’d need around
300 real plants in one room to make a lot of difference though)
Don’t prevent bacteria and mold
The con’s list is a lot shorter but a lot of people will
probably find these a lot more important in the home and office.
Recycling
Plastic is popular which has its issues especially when it
comes time to replace as not all of them biodegrade. Other materials like silk,
wire, hemp, bamboo and papier-mâché are available and you can check the labels
to see how well they can be recycled.
Feng Shui designers don’t really go with artificial plants
and flowers and are seen as dust-catchers that represent dead, stale energy
wouldn’t sit well with their designs in general, but I have seen the occasional
artificial flower in a vase.
