Modern silk plants make good imposters
“Natural beauty is essentially temporary and sad; hence the impression of obscene mockery which artificial flowers give us.” John Updike (1932 – ), American novelist, “Rhyming Max,” “Assorted Prose” (1965)
Q: What are your thoughts on using fake plants in decorating? I mentioned to a friend of mine who lives on the East Coast that we had a silk tree in our living room and she practically gagged. She said she would never put a fake plant in her house. I know they are very popular here. Is that a regional thing or are we just strange here in Las Vegas?
A: Well, some would say “‘we are indeed strange here in Las Vegas,” but that sentiment would have nothing to do with silk plants.
I happen to love silk plants — if they are done well. And I’ve had the same reaction from friends on the East Coast. I will say that when I lived there, I didn’t have any silk plants either. So it could be that these fabulous fakes are more popular on the western side of the country.
One reason silks may be more popular here is our climate. Poor Vegas weather — we blame everything on it, don’t we? But when you think about it, it’s not uncommon in our region to have 5-20 percent humidity, which is very low, and live plants are not very happy. They get no ambient moisture to keep the soil damp or their greenery hydrated. We sometimes overcompensate for this by overwatering, and, consequently, the plants don’t survive. And a live plant with yellow or brown leaves does nothing for a décor.
Now, having said all of that, I have also seen “fake” plants that were so ugly and fake looking that I wouldn’t want them in my house either. There are some vendors here in town, however, that produce the most beautiful silk flowers, plants and trees that you literally have to keep touching them to see if in fact they are real. That’s a true compliment to those folks who make and arrange them.
There are many reasons to use silks in your home décor.
* You never have to water or trim. If you go away on vacation for a couple of days, or for as long as a month, no worries. Your greenery will survive beautifully. Taking care of live house plants is somewhat like having someone take care of pets. It’s a rare plant that can be left for a week or so without some kind of care.
* When you purchase a plant as part of your decorating scheme, there is generally a definite plan for the plant. You want it to soften up a corner, act as a screen for something you don’t want to have prominence, or be the perfect filler for that empty space. Live plants are not nearly as easy to use for these reasons.
When purchasing live plants, air, light and water all have to be considered. You may want that beautiful palm to grace an otherwise empty and boring space, but there may not be enough light in the space or it gets so much heat and light from the morning sun that it will literally burn the leaves. With silk palms there are no worries. They’re happy wherever you put them.
* There is also a big cost factor. Have you priced live plants recently? For large indoor plants, it’s not uncommon to pay $100 or more. That’s a significant investment, and if something goes wrong — too much/too little water or light — you end up with a $100 pot of dried weeds. Oh, the idea makes me sad!
Depending on the size and design of your silks, you may pay as much or more for them initially, but that’s the end of your expense. They will always be there to greet you — just as green and happy as the day you brought them home.
In essence, for my money, most of the greenery in my space, or those spaces over which I have any influence, will be silk. While I do like the idea of live plants, most of the time they’re just not the most practical investment. Now if that makes me strange …
Carolyn Muse Grant is the founding president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home section of the Review-Journal. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.