17 Artificial Plant Trends You Need to Know for 2022

As we all begin to hunker down for the winter and prepare ourselves for what the new year holds, we often find ourselves nesting. We surround ourselves with comforting and beautiful things so that staying indoors for longer periods is as cosy as possible. Whether it’s a soft, new throw for the sofa, a cosy bedside lamp, or some new artificial plants, it’s often just what we need to lift our spirits when the nights are long and dark. The past few years have brought so much uncertainty to homes in the UK, so it’s no surprise that we’re becoming increasingly obsessed with things that brighten up our homes! 

One of the easiest and most effective ways to breathe life into a dull room is to add a plant. Plants have become a much-needed source of beauty during a time when we all found ourselves staring at the same four walls! Plants offer so much variety in terms of shape, colour, and texture, but not everyone loves the idea of maintaining plants at home.

Artificial plants are the answer; visually, they’re almost identical to the real thing, they require no maintenance and they look fantastic regardless of the season! More and more people have been turning to artificial plants as a way to liven up their homes without all the effort of watering, fertilising, pruning, and re-potting. And just like music, fashion, and interior design, plants are subject to popularity trends. So, what are the most popular plants for 2022 and how should you style them at home? Read on to learn this and more! 

Top 8 Artificial Plants for 2022

Our love of greenery shows no sign of fading next year, so let’s take a look at some of the most popular artificial plants for 2022: 

1. Satin vines (and all hanging plants, for that matter!). Also known as the satin Pothos, this trailing plant is known for its heart-shaped leaves, splashed with spots of silver. While the real thing requires plenty of natural light to thrive and just the right amount of water, artificial satin vines arrive long and sprawling so you can get to work arranging it wherever it brings you joy straight away! They work well when hung from the ceiling, attached to a wall, or even draped over a headboard in the bedroom. If you don’t want the volume of a Pothos, try our Classic Leaf Artificial Hanging Plant instead.                                                                                                                                                                                                             
   
2. These grow liberally in UK forests, but it’s pretty difficult to keep them alive inside. Fortunately, artificial ferns don’t require the same just right moisture levels their live counterparts do. The fern is a relaxing plant, with its soft, feather-like leaves and bright green hue. It also looks great in a hanging pot, drooping down just enough without intruding on the space of a room. Try an artificial Boston Fern or a Fresh Fern hanging basket to make the most of this trend.                                                                  
   
3. Cypress plants. This type of topiary tree has been steadily growing in popularity, but it’s likely to increase in favour for its pleasing soft leaves and interesting shapes. The softer nature of the leaves makes them easier to use indoors than other types of topiary, but are always guaranteed to improve the look of any outdoor space. Our Cypress Spiral topiary tree is a particularly popular choice in either case!                                                                                                                                                                               
   
4. Peace lily. This flowering plant has been a beloved member of many a household for years, but it’s becoming even more popular this year. Real peace lilies are extremely communicative, drooping sadly if they’re not watered enough, exposed to too much sunlight, or watered too much. While that sounds like a good thing, it usually means that it will tell you just how unhappy it is with your efforts, no matter what you do! But with an artificial peace lily, you’ve got a sweet, teardrop-shaped flower to gaze at throughout the seasons, and no panicking and questioning whether you’ve over-or under-watered it! If you like the idea of a peace lily but can’t find one you like, consider choosing an artificial monstera for similar shiny, dark leaves.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
   
                                                                                                                                                                       
5. Olive trees. Artificial olive trees are exploding in popularity because they offer a look you simply can’t get with the real thing – real olive trees grow big very quickly, or die if you can’t offer them the optimum conditions. That means you usually have one inside for a year or two and then have to move it outside and hope it survives. Fortunately, the artificial olive tree retains an ethereal look with delicate fake olives that works well in any living space.                                                                                                                             
   
                                                                                                                                
6. Banana canna plant. This plant is known for its oversized green leaves and will bring a touch of the tropics to your living room, home office, or bedroom. It works as an outdoor plant if you want something to liven up a balcony, terrace, or patio. The artificial banana canna plant has to be the feature plant in any room.                                                                                                                                                                                                                
   
7. Chinese money plant. This evergreen perennial plant is native to the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of southern China. It has risen hugely in popularity over the last few years due to an increased global interest in Asian design and culture. The Chinese money plant truly is unlike any other plant you’ll see- instead of long or floppy leaves, it boasts light green, perfectly circular leaves that extend on thin stems. Artificial Chinese money plants are very lifelike these days, so why not make this a focal point on your coffee table, fireplace, or bedside table?                                               
   
                                     

1. Snake plant. The iconic snake plant has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it’s not going anywhere in 2022. If you’ve been paying attention to interior design trends, you’ll know that many of the (thankfully better) trends of the 70s are making a comeback, and the snake plant was also one of the most popular house plants of that era. Get an artificial snake plant for your home in 2022 if you haven’t got one already! 

9 Artificial Plant Styling Trends for 2022

Now that we know which plants will rise in popularity in the new year, let’s dive into some of the best ways to style those plants:

• Creating a cluster of plants: if you have some extra space in a living room or kitchen, why not create an area full of plants? In interior design, the best things often come in threes, so pick out three plants you think would go well together and place them in the same area. You can create further cohesion by placing them in pots of similar shades or textures, or you can embrace the contrast by choosing different pots for your plants. The best part is these plants don’t even need to look or feel similar – you can combine a cactus and a succulent with a miniature cheese plant if you want to!                                                                                                                   
  
                                                                                                                                       
• Combining plants and lights: one of the best ways to draw attention to any element of a room is to shine a light on it. You can (literally) illuminate your favourite plants by wrapping the pot in fairy lights, or if it’s a hanging plant, intertwining lights with the leaves and vines. If you want to bring a little drama, add a small, battery-powered light to the underside of your smaller plants. Pop them on a shelf for a striking, underlit look!
• Adding height to your room by hanging plants: that 1970s comeback means that macrame plant hangers are super popular again! Your artificial trailing plants will look incredible in a plant hanger, regardless of the colour you choose. Another way to add visual space to a smaller room is by having your plants on stands with legs. Since the stand shows some floor space beneath it, it tricks the eye into perceiving the room as larger than it is.                                                                                                                            
  
                                                                                                                                   
• Blending plants into your kitchen décor: while some real plants can’t spend much time in the room where you cook due to the fumes, artificial plants can be placed wherever you’d like. The kitchen is a great opportunity to either emphasise or create contrast with the interior design style. For example, if your kitchen is designed in a traditional French-country style, you can lean into this by opting for some rustic pots for your string of pearls plant. Or, if your kitchen is more modern or minimalist, choose a sleek marble pot for a purple inch plant to add a pop of colour. For more help here, see our post on Ways to Transform Your Kitchen with Faux Plants.
• The nightclub look: have you noticed that more and more interior design social media pages are featuring neon wall lights, flamingo wallpaper, and hot pink furniture? This combination of a tropical design and party decor makes any room feel like you’re on a holiday in a warm country. You can combine these tropical neon colours with tropical plants, or get a neon sign and combine it with one of our green walls for a truly Instagram-worthy look.                                                                                                             
  
                                                                                                                                    
• Indoor palm trees: speaking of that tropical feeling, parlour palms and fan palms are extremely popular, and for a good reason. They lend the room an air of relaxed classiness without being stuffy and pretentious. With their long and thin leaves, they move gently in the breeze, making any room feel relaxing and serene. 
• A wall of artificial vines: Have you’ve seen those Pinterest pictures that feature hundreds of hanging vine leaves in the background? Unlike real vine leaves, artificial vine leaves won’t snap or break and can be taped, tacked, and wrapped around any piece of furniture. Cover an entire wall with these vines or wrap them around banisters and table legs for a whimsical, fairytale feel.                                                                                
• Mixing and matching plant shapes, sizes, and pot colours: variety really is the spice of life! If your room has a colour palette with a few distinct tones in it, you can match these pots with those colours. The repeating of certain colours can help draw the eye to your plants and create a notable theme in each room.                                                                 
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
• Blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors: If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you’ve likely felt grateful for it over the last year or so! And if you haven’t already, you might be tempted to connect the inside of your home to the outside through design techniques. Your home doesn’t stop with the outside walls, and your garden can feel like an extension of your home if you decorate it right! Set up a hanging planter so that you can see it from your window, add lighting to your patio or conservatory, and invest in some outdoor cushions and throws for extra coziness. Before you know it, you’ll be so eager to get out into the garden that you’ll be planning family dinners and barbecues with the neighbors months in advance!

Since Christmas is approaching, why not add some artificial plants to this year’s wish list? (Or if that’s past, why not treat yourself to give that new-year new-start feel?) Even if you enjoy looking after one or two real plants, there’s no reason you can’t combine the two and have an abundance of real and artificial foliage in your home! Click here to start shopping.