How to care for artificial plants — the complete Australian guide
The short answer: quality indoor faux plants need very little care — a clean every 4–6 weeks, a branch reshape every few months, and occasional attention to the pot base. Outdoor faux plants need monthly cleaning and a UV protectant spray twice yearly. Do these things consistently and a quality faux plant will look identical on day one thousand as it did on day one.
This guide covers everything that happens after you receive your faux plant — the first steps on arrival, the ongoing maintenance routine, how to prevent fading, what to do if branches bend or break, how to store a plant you're not using, and honestly how long you can expect a quality faux plant to last.
First steps — what to do when your plant arrives
Every large faux tree arrives compressed for shipping. Branches are folded inward, foliage is flattened, and the canopy bears no resemblance to its final shape. This is completely normal — it is not a quality issue. Spending 15–20 minutes on arrival shaping your tree makes the difference between a plant that looks like it just arrived from a warehouse and one that looks like it has always been there.
Unpack and stand upright
Remove all packaging material and stand the tree in its nursery pot. Do not attempt to shape branches while the tree is still horizontal — gravity assists the process when the tree is standing as it will in position.
Work branch by branch from the base up
Starting at the lowest branches, gently bend each one outward and slightly upward into a natural position. The wire inside each branch allows you to set and hold any angle. Work upward through the tree, giving each branch a distinct and slightly different angle — real trees never have identical branch positions.
Create asymmetry deliberately
The most common mistake on arrival is making the canopy too symmetrical. Real trees are not symmetrical. Angle some branches higher than others. Let a few droop slightly under the weight of the foliage. Push outer branches further out on one side than the other. Asymmetry reads as natural; symmetry reads as artificial.
Separate and spread the foliage
Within each branch cluster, gently separate individual stems and leaves so they fan outward naturally rather than clumping together. This adds density and depth to the canopy and eliminates the compressed look that shipping creates.
Cover the pot base
Place the nursery pot inside your decorative planter and fill the gap and surface with preserved moss, decorative pebbles, or both. This single step has more impact on how real the plant looks than any other. An exposed nursery pot is the most obvious signal that a plant is artificial.
Ongoing cleaning — how often and how to do it
Dust is the primary maintenance concern for indoor faux plants. PE and polyester leaves attract and hold dust, and a dusty faux plant loses its realism quickly — the light no longer catches the leaf surface correctly and the colour appears muted rather than vibrant. Regular cleaning maintains both the visual quality and the longevity of the materials.
| Location | Cleaning frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor — low traffic area | Every 6–8 weeks | Dry microfibre cloth or compressed air, then damp wipe if needed |
| Indoor — high traffic area | Every 4 weeks | Damp microfibre cloth with mild soap solution, air dry |
| Near cooking (kitchen) | Every 2–3 weeks | Damp cloth with mild degreasing solution, thorough wipe of all surfaces |
| Outdoor — covered position | Monthly | Soft brush to remove debris, damp cloth wipe, air dry completely |
| Outdoor — exposed position | Monthly | Brush debris, hose on gentle setting from 50cm, air dry, UV spray every 6 months |
Preventing fading — indoors and outdoors
Indoors: Standard indoor faux plants do not fade in normal indoor light conditions. Indoor light levels — even in a well-lit room — do not contain sufficient UV energy to degrade the colour compounds in PE or polyester leaf materials. A quality indoor faux plant maintained away from direct sunlight through a window will hold its colour indefinitely. Direct sustained sunlight through glass — south-facing windows in Australian homes that receive several hours of direct sun daily — can cause gradual fading over 3–5 years. Rotating the plant quarterly if it sits in direct sunlight will distribute any fading evenly.
Outdoors: Only UV-rated faux plants should be used outdoors in Australian conditions. Standard indoor faux plants will begin to fade within 12–18 months in direct outdoor sun. UV-rated plants use stabilised polyethylene formulated to resist UV degradation — with monthly cleaning and a UV protectant spray applied twice yearly, these will maintain their colour for 5–8 years in most Australian outdoor positions.
Reshaping and maintenance — keeping the form natural
Over time, branches settle into fixed positions under their own weight and through regular contact with furniture or walls. Every 2–3 months, take a few minutes to reshape the canopy — bend branches back to their intended positions, separate any foliage that has clumped together, and adjust the overall posture if it has drifted from the natural shape you set on arrival.
This is particularly important for plants placed in corners — the branches closest to the walls tend to be pushed inward over time. Pulling them back out into the room maintains the full, open canopy shape that creates the most realistic appearance.
Bent or damaged branches
A branch bent at an unintended angle can be carefully straightened by warming the wire with warm (not boiling) water for 30 seconds, reshaping to the desired angle, then holding until it cools. The warmth makes the surrounding material slightly more pliable and allows cleaner reshaping without stressing the wire.
Detached leaves or stems
Individual leaves or small stem clusters that detach from a branch can be reattached with a small amount of clear craft adhesive or floral tape. Apply to the stem base, press firmly into the original position and hold for 60 seconds. The repair is typically invisible once the surrounding foliage is back in place.
Storage — if you need to pack it away
The most common storage scenario is moving home, seasonal rotation, or temporary removal during renovation. The key principle is to reverse the unpacking process — compress branches carefully toward the central trunk, wrap the canopy loosely in breathable fabric or paper (not plastic, which traps moisture), and store upright rather than horizontal if possible.
Do not store in plastic bags or airtight containers. Faux plants stored airtight can develop surface mildew in humid conditions, particularly in garages and storage units that experience temperature variation. Breathable fabric storage bags or acid-free tissue paper are the correct materials for long-term storage.
Store away from direct heat sources. Sustained heat above 60°C — such as storage in a non-insulated garage during an Australian summer — can soften the wire in bendable branches and cause stems to lose their set position. A cool, dry internal storage space is ideal.
How long do faux plants last?
A quality indoor faux plant, maintained with regular cleaning and reshaping, will look excellent for 8–12 years in normal indoor conditions. The main deterioration factors are UV fading from direct sustained sunlight, physical damage from heavy contact, and the gradual loosening of leaf attachment points on very densely foliated trees. None of these occur in a well-positioned, regularly maintained indoor plant.
Outdoor faux plants have a shorter lifespan — 5–8 years for UV-rated varieties in Australian outdoor conditions with regular maintenance. Non-UV-rated plants used outdoors will show visible fading within 12–18 months and are not appropriate for exterior use.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reshape artificial plants after delivery?
Stand the tree upright and work branch by branch from the base up, bending each branch outward and upward into a natural position using the internal wire. Create deliberate asymmetry — some branches higher, some lower, outer branches extending further on one side. Separate individual leaf clusters so they fan outward. The whole process takes 15–20 minutes for a 180cm tree and transforms how it looks.
Can artificial plants fade over time?
Indoors, standard faux plants do not fade under normal indoor light conditions. Sustained direct sunlight through glass over several years can cause gradual fading — rotating the plant quarterly distributes this evenly. Outdoors, only UV-rated faux plants should be used. Standard indoor faux plants will fade within 12–18 months in direct Australian sun regardless of brand or quality.
How long do artificial plants last indoors?
A quality indoor faux plant maintained with regular cleaning and periodic reshaping will look excellent for 8–12 years in normal indoor conditions. The materials — PE leaves, real wood trunks, wire-reinforced branches — do not degrade under indoor conditions. The main lifespan-limiting factors are physical damage and sustained direct UV exposure.
What should I do if artificial leaves become bent?
For leaves bent during shipping or through contact with a wall, gently reshape by hand — the leaf material is flexible enough to be repositioned without damage. For more persistent bends, briefly apply a hair dryer on a low setting from 20cm away for 10–15 seconds, reshape immediately, and hold until cool. The gentle warmth makes the material slightly more pliable and allows cleaner repositioning.
What is the best way to store artificial plants?
Compress branches gently toward the trunk, wrap the canopy in breathable fabric or acid-free tissue paper (not plastic), and store upright in a cool, dry space away from direct heat sources. Avoid non-insulated garages during Australian summer — sustained heat can affect the internal wire and stem positions. Stored correctly, a faux plant can be packed away and unpacked years later with no deterioration.
Can artificial plants be repaired if damaged?
Minor damage — detached leaves, bent branches, separated stem clusters — can be repaired at home with clear craft adhesive, floral tape or careful wire reshaping. More significant structural damage to the trunk or main branch supports is harder to repair invisibly. For our products, contact us at hello@theplantscorner.com.au and we will advise on the best repair approach for the specific damage.
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