Do artificial plants need maintenance?.

Yes, artificial plants also need maintenance if they are to keep a lifelike appearance and a long lifespan. Even so, the care involved is far less intensive than for real houseplants or flowers. They need no feed, no water and no pruning. Do artificial plants need maintenance, and how do you best look after them?

Maintaining artificial plants: how do you do it properly?

A fake plant needs occasional maintenance and cleaning. That keeps the foliage a good colour and the plants true to nature in appearance. Good maintenance naturally also contributes to the plant's lifespan, which in most cases reaches 8 and sometimes 10 years. What maintenance do artificial plants need?

1. Removing dust from the leaves

Maintaining artificial plants is above all a matter of dusting. That is especially important for a fake plant with large leaves, such as the monstera. You can remove the dust with a soft cloth or a feather duster. Does your imitation plant have small leaves? Then use a make-up brush or a small soft brush to get the foliage dust-free. Do not use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust: that can seriously damage artificial plants.

2. Wiping the leaves with a damp cloth, or washing artificial plants

Also wipe the leaves of artificial plants regularly with a damp cloth rinsed in soapy water containing a little washing-up liquid. That removes dirt and dust and creates a nice sheen.

3. Reshaping regularly

Maintaining artificial plants also means reshaping the branches or stems regularly. That is possible because they contain wire. Bend them into pleasing shapes to show off the natural appearance of your fake plants even better.

Extra tip! Artificial plants need maintenance, but sometimes also a new look. That is easy to arrange: choose a different pot in another shape and colour. That gives your artificial plant a fresh appearance straight away.