"Faux plant care" sounds like an oxymoron — the entire appeal is that there's nothing to do. And largely there isn't. But a handful of five-minute jobs spread across the year keep faux plants looking crisp rather than dusty and forgotten, and stop the outdoor ones ageing faster than they need to. Here's the whole calendar; you could write it on a Post-it.
Want to shop as you go? Our Plants collection has plenty to choose from, all delivered across the UK.
In this guide
- Spring: the reset
- Summer: sun and staging
- Autumn: tidy and check
- Winter: leave it be
- A few of our favourites
- Frequently asked questions
Spring: the reset
Spring is your one proper clean of the year. Winter leaves a film of dust indoors and grime outdoors, so give everything a thorough going-over: a soft duster or a hairdryer on cool for indoor foliage, a gentle hose-down for outdoor pieces. Check planters that have sat all winter are still stable, refresh any moss or bark top-dressing that's looking tired, and fluff out branches flattened by months in one position. It's the reset that carries everything through summer.
Summer: sun and staging
Summer's main job is protecting colour outdoors. This is peak UV season, so if you've any lightweight or non-UV-rated pieces in blazing sun, consider moving them somewhere shadier or turning them so one side doesn't bear all the exposure. Indoors, keep plants back from windows that get scorching all-day sun. Otherwise summer is for enjoying them — restyle for parties, move pieces outdoors for the season, and give outdoor foliage the odd rinse to clear pollen.
Autumn: tidy and check
As the weather turns, do a quick maintenance pass. Clear fallen leaves and cobwebs off outdoor faux, which collect fast this time of year, and wipe down planters before the wet months. Check that outdoor pots are weighted and stable ahead of the autumn gales — a light faux tree in an under-filled planter will go over in the first proper storm. Bring any delicate or less weather-hardy pieces under cover if you'd rather they overwintered indoors.
Winter: leave it be
Winter is the easy season — genuinely, do almost nothing. Frost, snow and cold don't harm quality faux foliage, so outdoor plants can stay put and keep the garden looking green while everything real has died back. Indoors, faux comes into its own for festive styling: no drop, no mess, up for as long as you like. The only job worth doing is a quick dust of anything on show before guests arrive. Then back to the spring reset.
Keep reading
If you found this useful, you'll enjoy Decorating with Artificial Plants Through the Seasons and Faux Plant Gift Ideas for Plant-Killers.
A few of our favourites
A few pieces from the Botanik range that suit this beautifully:
- 100cm Large Fox's Aglaonema (Spotted Evergreen) Tree Artificial Plant
- 130cm LARGE Realistic White Edge Ficus Artificial Plant Tree
- 120cm (4ft) Artificial Red Ficus Tree With Gold Metal Planter
Frequently asked questions
Do artificial plants actually need any seasonal care?
Barely any. One proper clean in spring, some sun-awareness for outdoor pieces in summer, a tidy and stability check in autumn, and nothing at all in winter. Compared with real plants it's almost no work — just a few five-minute jobs across the year to keep them looking crisp rather than dusty.
How do I clean dust off artificial plants?
Indoors, use a soft duster, a microfibre cloth, or a hairdryer on a cool setting to blow dust off delicate foliage. Outdoors, a gentle hose-down does the job. For a deeper clean, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Spring is the ideal time for the year's one thorough going-over.
Can I leave artificial plants outside in winter?
Yes. Cold, frost and snow don't damage quality faux foliage, so outdoor plants can stay out all winter and keep the garden green while real planting has died back. Just make sure planters are weighted and stable before autumn and winter storms, as light pieces can blow over in high wind.
When should I clean my faux plants?
Spring is the main event — one thorough clean after winter's dust and grime. Beyond that, rinse outdoor pieces occasionally through summer to clear pollen, tidy them in autumn, and dust anything on display before winter guests arrive. That simple rhythm keeps them looking fresh year-round with minimal effort.
Ready to bring the look home? Explore our Plants and the wider Botanik range — beautifully lifelike, maintenance-free, and delivered across the UK.