Best artificial plants for offices and commercial spaces in Australia
No one waters them on weekends. No one adjusts them for the right light. No cleaner knows which ones need fertiliser. Artificial plants solve every single one of these problems — and in commercial environments where first impressions matter, they do it permanently.
Walk into any well-designed Australian office, hotel lobby, restaurant or commercial fitout built in the last five years and there's a good chance the plants are artificial. Not because the designer chose second best — but because they chose what actually works in a commercial environment.
Real plants in offices die. They droop over the weekend when no one waters them, they drop leaves on the carpet, they attract pests, they require specialist maintenance contracts, and when they do die they need to be replaced — often at significant cost. A quality artificial plant costs once, looks perfect every day, and never needs a maintenance call.
This guide covers everything you need to know about choosing, placing and styling artificial plants for offices, lobbies, hospitality venues, commercial fitouts and any professional space in Australia.
Why commercial spaces need artificial plants
The case for artificial plants in commercial environments is stronger than in residential ones — for one simple reason. Accountability. In an office or commercial space, nobody owns the plants. The office manager isn't going to remember to water them. The cleaning team won't know which ones need bright light. And when a client walks in for an important meeting, a drooping, yellowing real plant in the reception creates exactly the wrong impression.
Artificial plants eliminate every operational variable. They look the same on Monday morning as they did on Friday afternoon. They survive air conditioning, low light, weekend lockdowns and the general neglect that commercial plants inevitably face.
Which spaces benefit most from artificial plants?
The highest-impact space in any commercial fitout. A statement tree in a lobby corner — 180cm to 2.4M — creates an immediate impression of quality and consideration. This is where your largest investment goes furthest.
Medium-height plants (120–160cm) placed between workstations create visual separation, reduce noise perception and make large open spaces feel more human. Multiple units across a floor create a cohesive, considered aesthetic.
Artificial plants in restaurant settings need to survive kitchen humidity, variable temperatures and constant handling. They also photograph beautifully — critical for social media content and review platforms.
Hotel lobbies, corridors and rooms benefit from greenery that never requires maintenance between guest turnovers. Airbnb and short-stay properties see significantly higher review ratings when styled with quality artificial plants.
Real plants are often prohibited in healthcare environments due to allergy and hygiene concerns. Artificial plants provide all the psychological benefits of greenery — proven to reduce patient anxiety — without any clinical risk.
Artificial plants in retail environments enhance visual merchandising, create lifestyle context for products and photograph consistently for marketing material — regardless of season or maintenance schedule.
Best artificial plants for office and commercial use
Not all artificial plants work equally well in commercial settings. The key factors are scale (commercial spaces need larger plants to fill the proportions), realism (clients and customers will look closely), and durability (commercial environments are harder on products than residential ones). Here are the best options for each setting:
The most versatile commercial plant in our range. The faux olive tree works in contemporary, coastal, Hamptons and minimalist interiors with equal ease — making it safe for any commercial aesthetic. At 180CM it suits standard-height commercial spaces. At 2.4M it commands double-height lobbies and atriums. The silver-green foliage photographs beautifully and reads as genuinely real at the distances typical in commercial settings.
View faux olive trees →The fiddle leaf fig is the go-to commercial plant for contemporary office fitouts. The large, sculptural leaves fill space visually without requiring physical room — ideal for tight corners between workstations. The dark glossy foliage contrasts beautifully against white walls, glass partitions and concrete finishes. At 150–180CM it suits standard commercial ceiling heights perfectly.
View faux fiddle leaf figs →The bird of paradise is the standout choice for hospitality environments. Its bold, tropical aesthetic photographs exceptionally well for social media content — a genuine consideration for any venue with an Instagram presence. The large paddle leaves fill vertical space dramatically and work in both indoor and covered outdoor dining areas. At 160–210CM it suits the higher ceilings typical of commercial hospitality spaces.
View faux birds of paradise →Sizing guide for commercial spaces
| Space type | Ceiling height | Recommended plant height | Quantity guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small office reception | 2.4–2.7m | 160–180cm | 1–2 statement trees |
| Large lobby / atrium | 3.5m+ | 2.4M+ | 2–4 statement trees |
| Open plan office floor | 2.4–3m | 120–160cm | 1 per 15–20 sqm |
| Restaurant dining room | 2.7–4m | 160–210cm | 1 per dining section |
| Hotel corridor | 2.4–3m | 120–150cm | Every 8–10 metres |
| Retail showroom | 2.7–4m | 180–240cm | Anchor corners + feature walls |
Styling tips for commercial environments
- Use heavy pots — commercial environments have more foot traffic and accidental contact. Heavier fibrestone or concrete pots are more stable than lightweight plastic ones. For large trees in high-traffic areas, consider filling the pot base with pebbles or sand for additional ballast.
- Group in odd numbers — clusters of 3 or 5 smaller plants look more intentional and organic than pairs. For larger statement trees, a single well-placed specimen has more impact than two competing for the same space.
- Match pot finish to interior palette — in contemporary offices, matte charcoal or concrete pots suit polished concrete and dark steel finishes. In warmer, more residential-style commercial interiors, white ceramic and terracotta work better.
- Consider sightlines — in reception areas place plants where they're visible from the entrance. In restaurants, position plants to create visual separation between dining sections without blocking server sightlines.
- Add moss finishing — in commercial settings where clients look closely, dried sphagnum moss covering the pot base elevates the overall finish significantly. It takes 30 seconds to add and makes the difference between a plant that looks placed and one that looks grown.
Frequently asked questions
Are artificial plants appropriate for professional office environments?
Yes — and increasingly expected. Premium PE foliage artificial plants are used extensively in high-end commercial fitouts, hotel lobbies, restaurant fit-outs and corporate offices across Australia. The key is quality — cheap, plasticky artificial plants undermine the effect, while premium PE foliage reads as genuine from normal commercial viewing distances. When clients ask if the plants are real, that's when you know you've got it right.
How do I clean artificial plants in a commercial setting?
Commercial environments accumulate dust and particles faster than residential ones, so artificial plants in offices typically need dusting every 3–4 weeks rather than every 4–6 weeks. A microfibre cloth wipe or a hair dryer on the cool setting works well. For heavily soiled plants, a damp cloth followed immediately by a dry cloth is effective. Avoid chemical cleaners or furniture polish — these leave residue that attracts more dust and dulls the foliage finish.
Can artificial plants go in the staff kitchen or bathroom?
Yes — artificial plants handle humidity and temperature variation far better than real ones, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms where real plants often struggle. Avoid placing them directly above steam sources (dishwashers, kettles) for extended periods, but standard kitchen and bathroom humidity is not a concern for quality PE foliage plants.
Do you offer trade or bulk pricing for commercial orders?
Yes — we work with interior designers, property stylists, fitout companies and commercial clients across Australia. Email us at hello@theplantscorner.com.au with your project details and we'll provide a commercial quote. We can accommodate large orders and offer advice on plant selection for specific commercial spaces.
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