How a Showroom Visit Helped a Homeowner Replace Bamboo With Artificial Palms

A homeowner pulled out bamboo that kept dropping leaves into her pool and replaced it with tall artificial palms. See the story and how to do the same.
Discuss Your Project
How a Showroom Visit Helped a Homeowner Replace Bamboo With Artificial Palms

Project Location

Australia

Application:

Residential, backyard planting replacing live bamboo

Products Used:

Key Outcome:

  • Live bamboo that kept dropping leaves into the pool was replaced with plants that don't shed
  • 3 artificial palms set up within 2 hours
  • No trimming, no watering, and no leaf-skimming caused by the planting

Before & After Transformation

Before: live bamboo around the pool dropped leaves into the water constantly, and cleaning the pool had become a routine chore. 

After: 3 tall artificial palms stand in timber-look planters beside the bench seating, with string lights along the fence for the evenings.

Project Gallery

The Client Challenge

  • Bamboo around the pool kept shedding leaves into the water, so the owner was cleaning the pool constantly
  • She had recently moved and wanted to act fast to decorate the new space. The bamboo came out over a weekend, and she decided to go straight to Google to search for artificial outdoor trees
  • She wanted to see the plants in person before committing, so she visited our warehouse showroom for a conversation with our stylists

The Design Objective

  • Remove the leaf drop at the source instead of cleaning up after it
  • Replace the height and greenery the bamboo provided
  • Keep the swap simple enough to finish at home the same day

The Solution and Key Benefits

She found us online and came into our showroom to see the trees in person. She started out looking at our indoor palms, so our team showed her a tall, arching palm from the range. She fell for it on the spot and bought 3.

With this choice, she got: 

  • No leaf drop, as artificial palms don't shed the way live bamboo does, so there's nothing to skim out of the water
  • No watering or trimming, so the plants look the same in every season
  • Height and shape stay as chosen. 3 matching palms give the planters a consistent, structured look

Installation Approach and Why It Matters

She set the palms up herself and had photos to us within 2 hours of leaving the showroom. If you're planning a similar swap:

  1. Measure the planters and the space. Plant height plus planter height decides how the palm sits against your fence or screen.
  2. Aim to finish just below the fence line. The plant then sits against the backdrop instead of poking above it.
  3. Weight the base. Artificial plants are lighter than real ones, so add gravel, sand, or bricks to the planter before you set the plant in. Our guide to potting artificial plants covers the full method.
  4. Top-dress the pot. River pebbles or bark hide the base and finish the planter.
  5. Check UV resistance for sun. If the palms will sit in direct sun, choose UV-resistant plants. Indoor-grade plants fade outdoors.

The Result

  • The bamboo is gone, and with it the leaf-skimming routine
  • Three palms frame the bench seating, and the string lights make the same corner usable at night
  • Upkeep is a rinse with the hose or a wipe with a soft cloth

Why Artificial Greenery Worked Here

  • Live bamboo shedding into a pool is a recurring chore, and artificial foliage ends it
  • The customer didn't have to wait for anything to grow. She chose the plants, took them home, and set them up the same afternoon
  • Seeing the range in person made the decision easy. If your planting sits near water, our poolside green walls page and Mediterranean poolside project show other leaf-free options

Practical Tips

- Match your plant to where it will live. Indoor palms are for indoor spots, and our outdoor UV-resistant range is the place to start for sun. 

- For plants in strong sun, UV Protection Spray adds an extra layer of protection to ensure your fauxliege doesn’t fade.

- Visit before you buy if you can. Seeing a plant at full height tells you more than any photo, and our RealTex technology should be experienced first-hand. 

Request a Design Consultation

FAQs

1. Do artificial palms drop leaves into a pool? 

- No. Artificial palms don’t shed the way live palms do, so there's nothing to skim.

2. Can I use indoor artificial palms outdoors? 

- We don’t recommend using artificial indoor plants in direct sun, as they’re not built for UV exposure and may fade quicker. Indoor plants and trees are meant to be used indoors, away from large windows and sunlight. If you’re looking for faux plants to use outdoors, check out our UV-resistant outdoor range. 

3. How tall should my artificial palms be? 

- Measure your planters and your fence first. Plants that finish just below the fence line usually look the most balanced. If you need more information, reach out to us for a free consultation, and we’ll give you bespoke advice for your project. 

4. How do I stop tall plants blowing over? 

- Weight the base of each planter with gravel, sand, or bricks, and pack the plant's pot in firmly. Check out our planting guide for more details on what to do for the best faux plant and pot longevity.

Related Products & Inspiration

Discuss Your Project

Planning a residential or commercial greenery transformation? Speak with Designer Plants about premium artificial green walls, privacy screening, and custom greenery solutions.