One simple, thrifty trick to make a fake tree look realistic indoors or outside in just 5 minutes + the best artificial trees.
A thrift store find inspired this post (which is really how the vast majority of posts happen around here). Because a few weeks ago, I found the cutest vintage brass planter at the thrift store.
I knew instantly what to do with it to make the fake tree in our upstairs hallway look more realistic…
A Common Fake Tree Styling Mistake
For years, I made this totally-insignificant-in-the-grand-scheme-of-things mistake when I decorated a room with a fake tree in the corner. But when decorating a room, sometimes it really is the small details that make a big difference.
I always used to place a fake tree just as it was fresh from the store without any kind of embellishment.
The thing about the cheaper faux trees from Amazon or Walmart or Overstock or wherever is you can ALWAYS tell because of that teeny wimpy plastic planter at the bottom filled with concrete.
So add “planters” to your list of things to search for at the thrift store. They’re always there!
I found this pretty vintage authentic brass planter at the thrift store for $15. If there’s one thing I love about a vintage brass planter it’s that great patina! I won’t dare clean it for fear of removing its lovely aging.
Favorite Faux Tree Planters
There are two ways to make a fake plant look realistic indoors or outside, and it takes less than 5 minutes to do. You can’t just stick the fake plant in a pretty planter and call it a day. You have to zhush it up, ya know?
How to Make an Interior Fake Plant Look Realistic
Step 1 – Stuff With Leftover Packing Material
Whatever you might have leftover from a shipping box – bubble wrap, packing paper, styrofoam packaging (better to use it here than toss it in the landfill) – stuff the planter with packing material up to 2 inches below the brim of the planter.
Step 2 – Top with Moss
I usually have craft moss in my stash since it tends to come in handy in a lot of craft projects. You can get a bag of it for about $8-10 at the craft supply store.
Top the packing material with loose moss until concealed and it’s done!
Looks so much more realistic than that itty bitty concrete filled plastic pot this fake tree came with.
How to Make a Fake Tree Look Realistic Outdoors
Our front porch has a dirty little secret with these UV resistant fake tree boxwood topiaries that I stuck in these Walmart urn planters… basically because I kill every plant that crosses my path.
Step 1 – Stuff With Crushed Water Bottles or Cans
Crush any plastic water/soda bottles or soda cans you might have in your recycling bin and stuff them into the bottom of the planter.
Step 2 – Top With Potting Soil
Fill the rest of the planter with potting soil to make the fake tree look more realistic. The added weight of the soil helps to keep the fake trees from falling over in windy weather too.
Top Rated Realistic Trees
These are some of my favorite artificial trees from low budget to high end.
Have you ever stuffed your planters? It makes the difference, I’m telling ya.
Next time you go to the thrift store, keep an eye out for a tree planter, and I bet you you’ll see one.
More Thrifted Decor Ideas
