Even the most lifelike faux plants can still look or feel – well – fake. So today I’m sharing an easy way of elevating the look of a faux tree or plant that will pass for a real one. All you need are a few basic supplies for this easy, 10-minute project. 

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ELEVATING THE LOOK OF A FAUX TREE OR PLANT

Faux plants have gone through a bit of a transformation these past few years with so many looking incredibly lifelike. I love using them because they require no maintenance and it allows me to have a feeling of the outdoors throughout my home (even if I know better).

But even the most lifelike ones need a bit of TLC to have them looking their best.

Many – like this olive tree – come with a tiny base.

(You can find this olive tree on Amazon Canada OR Amazon’s international sites.)

 

I always place these into a basket or planter so that they feel more like real potted plants.  

But if your plant is in a high-traffic area, then it can be easy to spot the fake.

This is where you can take it to the next level by ‘potting’ it (without actually potting it!). 

Follow along below as I show you how I do that in 3 easy steps. 

 

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SUPPLIES NEEDED

Newspaper or Packing/Kraft Paper (I used packing paper that typically comes inside boxed home deliveries)

Cardboard

Dried (Spanish) Moss – you can find small packs of moss, including Spanish moss, at craft stores like Michaels or your local Dollar Store. Alternatively, you can use decorative stones. Just keep in mind the weight these will add to the final project.

Scissors or Precision Craft/Utility Knife

Pencil

Planter (this is the one I used for this project)

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STEPS

Step 1: Cut Cardboard Circle

Trace a circle onto your cardboard using the planter as a guide.

Taking scissors or a precision/utility knife, cut along the circle.

Cut a path towards the center.

Cut a smaller circle at the center that is a bit wider than the trunk of your faux tree or plant. (This will allow the trunk to easily slide through, as I’ll show you later on).

 

NOTE: Depending on the shape of your planter, you’ll want to be sure that the cardboard sits about 1-2 inches under the top edge. In my case, I went ahead and cut another 1.5 inches off the outer edge.

 

Step 2: Fill the Planter with Paper

Using packing paper (or newspaper), line the inside of the planter. It does not need to be filled completely; just enough to allow the cardboard cut-out to rest on the paper.

Step 3: Add Final Layer

Slide the cardboard cut-out around the tree trunk.

Add a layer of moss on top. 

I used one package of moss and pulled it apart so that it covered the entire cardboard cut-out.

Here is the ‘before’ and ‘after.’

A small, but impactful detail that makes it appear as though this tree is actually potted. 

By ‘potting’ my faux plant with a bit of paper, cardboard and moss, my synthetic tree looks like a real live tree in our foyer.

PRO TIP:   You can always play around with this DIY a bit by moving the cardboard further down or further up OR fluffing the moss to give it a fuller look, as I later did below:

This is one of the easiest DIYs I’ve done.  With just a few basic supplies, it took very little time to give this faux tree the TLC it needed to elevate the look of it in this space.

Happy decorating 🙂

 

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