That’s the big question! Honestly, faux plant tech has come leaps and bounds since those shiny plastic things you saw at your nan’s house in the 90s. Our plants are designed with obsessive attention to detail—we’re talking realistic leaf textures, natural colour variations, and even imperfect stems. Most of the time, your guests will have to touch them to figure it out. It’s all the lush look without the plastic vibe

This is crucial. The sun down here is brutal and will bleach standard fake plants in no time.
The golden rule: Always check if the specific plant is marked as "UV Resistant."
If it is treated for UV, it can handle a spot on the balcony or in an alfresco area (though undercover is always best to make them last longer). If it’s not UV rated, keep it indoors away from harsh, direct sunlight windows, or it will fade fast.

This is where you win back your weekends. The maintenance is bare minimum. In our sometimes dusty climate, they just need a quick dusting with a feather duster or a wipe with a damp cloth once a month to keep them looking fresh. For bigger, broad-leaf plants (like a Fiddle Leaf Fig), giving them a quick rinse under a lukewarm shower once a year works wonders.

To ship them economically across the country, they usually arrive a bit compacted in long boxes. They require a little bit of "zhooshing" (styling) when they arrive. Spend 5 or 10 minutes gently bending the branches and shaping the foliage outwards. This crucial step gives the plant its volume and natural look. They usually arrive in a basic black starter pot, ready to be dropped into your favourite decorative planter.

This is a massive bonus compared to the real thing. So many popular indoor plants here (like Monsteras or certain ferns) can actually be toxic to cats and dogs if eaten. Faux plants eliminate that worry entirely.
However, they are still made of synthetic materials. You just need to use common sense and make sure pets or young kids aren't chewing on them or swallowing small parts to avoid any choking hazards.

It’s a lifestyle choice. Between intense heatwaves, water restrictions, busy work lives, and wanting to go away on holidays without hiring a plant-sitter, keeping tropical plants alive in Australia is hard yakka.
Going faux gives you that instant "green sanctuary" vibe without the guilt of watching a $100 plant turn brown, without the messy watering schedule, and without dealing with fungus gnats. It’s the visual reward of nature with zero stress.