Indoor plants are a decorative element that give a vibrant touch to any living space. Many people do not have the time, energy, and endless funds to keep filling a vase with flowers daily or trying to keep a rooted plant alive. While some faux plants look cheap and flimsy, Nearly Natural’s Decorative Silk Plant is lush and lively. Read on to find out what we thought about its design, construction, price, and more.
Design: Good enough to fool your friends
From afar, you would swear the Nearly Natural Pothos was a living plant. If your friends know you have a black thumb, this plant would stun them. Cradled in a woven pot, it is neutral enough to blend beautifully into most home decor. No two leaves look the same, giving it a fresh look. The plant spans pretty wide horizontally, so if you have a larger space to fill, this is a great option. The branches hang ever so slightly and give a great natural texture to any nook you are trying to decorate.
Material: Light-weight, but realistic looking
Made of polyester and plastic, this greenery piece is carefully constructed to bring life to a living space. We worried that with the cascading branches the plant would deflate, but it has held its shape beautifully. The designs on the leaves appear organic and varied from leaf to leaf just like a real plant. Even up close the leaves look real, not plastic or cheap. The brown stems that hold the leaves do look like they are made of plastic if you look up close, but those are primarily hidden by the foliage so it doesn’t take away from the overall life-like effect. As a whole, the plant is extremely light-weight, making it easy to place in a nook or as a dining table centerpiece. When you pull the plant out of the box it is already settled into its natural full form. The branches are malleable but difficult to keep in place, so if you wanted to arrange them yourself, consider another plant. We are worried that if the piece is in direct sunlight or by a window that it may fade over time. To prevent fading, reposition it every once in a while or spray it with fabric sunblock.
Texture: Paper-thin leaves
If you physically feel the plant, you will immediately know it isn’t real. The leaves are paper-thin and almost feel like they might rip, but they won’t. It is soft and stiff, but not lacquered like plastic, which makes it look a little more natural. It feels like a cross between paper and fabric. The pot is plastic and has a woven look to it.
Washing: Easy, but unnecessary
We initially placed the plant on the top shelf of a bookcase to give the corner a bit of texture and living color. After a week, we fully expected that we would need to dust the leaves, but to our surprise, it was not dusty at all. If it does happen to get dusty over time, wipe it with a soft, dry towel or even a dust sheet. The plant is extremely low maintenance.
Price: You get what you pay for
For a fake plant, the price tag does seem like a lot until you actually get it in your house. Faux plants this size can range anywhere from $30 to $70, and in this case, this $60 plant is worth the extra dollars it costs. This is an artisan decor piece that can give even a dark space a pop of life. It’s not easy to keep interior plants alive in windowless or darker spaces. The Nearly Natural alternative is a “set it and forget it” piece that will give the same effect as a living plant. So, instead of cycling through failed plant after failed plant, and those costs can add up fast, instead spend a little extra for this long-term solution.
Nearly Natural Pothos Silk Plant vs. Threshold Potted Artificial Maiden Hair Fern
Shopping for a fake plant can get intimidating. On the one hand, you don’t want the responsibility of taking care of a live organism. And on the other, you don’t want a plastic-looking knockoff that cheapens your space. Faux plants have evolved so much that sometimes the only way you can tell a fake plant from living is by touching the leaves. However, not all faux plants are the same. If you compare the Nearly Natural Pothos Silk Plant to the Threshold Potted Artificial Maiden Hair Fern, you’ll immediately see a difference in quality. The Threshold fern lacks the attention to detail and looks like a plastic plant. That being said, aesthetically, we liked the light, stone-colored pot better than the plastic base of the Nearly Natural option. While Threshold’s version is significantly less expensive, if you want an indoor plant that looks real, stick with the Nearly Natural alternative that costs a few bucks more. Visually, this plant is as beautiful and as authentic as the real thing, even up close. While the price tag is a little steep and the pot looks a bit cheap, as a decor item, it is worth the money for something that looks so organic.
