If you think your faux vertical garden looks as good as it can get - it doesn’t.
An artificial vertical garden can go from “meh” to “wow” in 4 steps. Your artificial green walls can become so lush and lifelike that even your neighbor’s prized begonias get green(er) with envy.
We’ve got 4 easy tips to make your artificial green wall look so real that you’ll need to remind yourself it isn’t.
Let’s get into it.
Why Is Realism Important in Artificial Greenery?
Realism is the name of the game in the artificial greener industry. It’s the one thing that keeps the illusion alive between nature and man-made.
We love the natural world as much as the next person, but let’s face it - plants are not for everyone. The modern person’s life often changes dramatically and we find ourselves wanting for time. There’s always a victim when we get too busy, and it’s usually a plant.
Suddenly, we see that our once-thriving fern has withered down to a brown twig.
When we don’t give our plants the attention they deserve, they revolt and die. In death, they taunt us for letting it get to this point.
This is why people switch to artificial plants - they’re sick of seeing their plants die. But even if you get faux foliage, it should still look like a plant. Even though they don’t beg for a drop of water, they should still give off the kind of energy that brings a room to life.
Yet, you can only get that with faux plants that look real. Cut corners with the cheapest option, and you’ll end up with a stiff, neon-green eyesore that looks like a toy.
You don’t want that, which is why you need realism.
How to Make Artificial Green Walls Look Realistic?
If you’ve discovered that a lack of realism is what you’re dealing with, don’t despair.
There are many ways to make your display more convincing. The trick lies in the details. Here’s what you can do to make realism the first thing people notice:
Clean it Regularly
Although fauxliege isn’t as demanding as natural plants, it still needs some TLC. The good news is that it’s not a time-suck or an energy drain. The most crucial aspect to consider is cleaning. With the right tools and tricks, you’ll ensure your green wall stays so realistic that people do a double-take.
Like real plants, faux ones can be dust magnets. And imagine if every speck of dirt undermines its realism, how quickly would it also dim its beauty?
To keep your panels pristine, use a feather duster to gently whisk away surface dust. For a deeper clean, mix water with mild soap, dampen a cloth, and give the panels a good wipe-down. Leave them to dry before adding back any stems or accessories.
Opt for a Faux Triptych Set
Here’s something that might not have crossed your mind - the same foliage across a panel can make it look monotonous. While this isn’t the case with most realistic faux green walls, if plant types have the same placements across panels, it’s a dead giveaway that your garden is fake.
So, if realism is at the top of your list, consider a faux triptych set. We’ve added this new invention to our lineup due to one thing: variety. Each set comes with 3 panels that feature similar yet distinct foliage arrangements. This breaks up the repetition and adds a natural flow to the green wall.
The triptych also has varying heights and layers that mimic the way plants actually grow in nature. Plus, you get an array of colors on each panel - fresh greens, sun-kissed hues, and everything in between.
If you need complexity in your green decor, don’t overlook the triptych set.
Mix With Real Plants
We’re proponents of low-maintenance decor - no surprise there.
Of course, we’re a bit biased. But we also recognize that, sometimes, it’s not wise to go all-in on a new look right away. Instead, ease into your transition to artificial and combine real plants with your fauxliege.
Place a few potted or hanging plants near the panels or nestle them between the fauxliege to break up the uniformity. This is a risk-free way to dip your toes into artificial plant decor while still hanging onto a natural ambiance. Choose plants that won’t overshadow your vertical garden, but add to its richness in color and texture.
And remember this one salient tip: don’t pair the real plant version with a faux counterpart. Having both side by side can make the artificial one stand out in the wrong ways, especially if it’s not the best quality. Ideally, mix up different plants and make a dynamic, layered display.
Fluff the Leaves
Having worked in this industry for over 2 decades, we’ve seen our fair share of flat, lifeless artificial green walls. The worst part is that, sometimes, this has little to do with the panels’ quality and a lot to do with the absence of fluffing.
When we pack our panels for shipping, we pack them tightly. That’s not to make your life harder but to ensure that no stems break or get damaged from rough handling. Since we don’t oversee delivery, we have to do everything in our power to protect the panel beforehand.
When the faux plants reach your home, they won’t look exactly like the photos on our website, they’ll be flatter or clustered. To get them back to their prime, gently separate and spread out the leaves as you would expect to see in a natural arrangement. Take a few minutes to adjust the leaves before sending your friends a photo.
Finishing Thoughts
Don’t let your artificial vertical garden fade into the background. Let it grow into the focal point it’s destined to be.
Little tweaks and a bit of forethought can make all the difference and turn your green wall into a specimen so realistic you forget it’s faux in the first place. All you need is some effort for maintenance and the right choice of vertical garden panels.
We’ve got even more tips up our sleeves, but for bespoke advice, you should reach out to us directly.
Give us all the information upfront, so we can guide you toward the best panel for your project and arm you with the tools needed to sustain a high level of realism. We can’t wait to hear from you!