Spoiler Alert: the real plants come out on top!
The first thing that draws most people to adding plants to the office to brighten up the space is the aesthetic appeal.
Plants look great! They’re bright, green and add a sense of life to a place that’s often known for unnatural light, freezing air-conditioning and awkward silences. Adding something to the office that is the exact opposite of all those negatives can create a positive atmosphere and help people feel calmer, happier and more focused.
The next option is to decide whether or not to use real vs artificial indoor plants. Artificial plants come with a lot of perks – they’re much easier to maintain and you’ll get all the same benefits, right?
Maybe not…
The Pros & Cons of Artificial Plants
Artificial Plants: Pros
- Artificial plants require almost no maintenance at all. Apart from an occasional light dusting, they’re the epitome of set and forget. In a busy office environment, do you really need something else on your to-do list every week? These low-maintenance options are perfect for workplaces with little sunlight, small children visiting, or where regular watering isn’t possible.
- There’s also an incredible variety of artificial greenery available. Whether you prefer faux plants, faux foliage, or vibrant statement plants, modern designs made from realistic synthetic materials look better than ever. In recent years, the quality of fake plants has improved so much that clients often can’t tell the difference unless they touch them!
- Another major plus is that artificial plants don’t trigger allergies. You won’t need to worry about flowers, pollen, or soil irritating sensitive staff members. They can be placed anywhere, with no direct sunlight or special conditions required.
Artificial Plants: Cons
- While faux greenery and fake plants are convenient, they lack the health benefits and natural energy of real plants. Living plants do more than just look good; they help purify the air, reduce stress and boost productivity. Artificial plants, on the other hand, can collect dust, which requires cleaning, and they don’t improve air quality or bring the same sense of well-being and mental health benefits that living plants provide.
- Another concern is safety. Some silk or synthetic plants are highly flammable and can pose a fire hazard if not treated with flame retardant.
- And finally, fake plants aren’t kind to the environment. They’re often made from non-biodegradable materials that don’t break down over time, contributing to landfill waste. While they look great and last for years, they don’t offer the same connection to nature as living plants.
Artificial plants are definitely a no-brainer for those who want the look of greenery without the upkeep, but if you’re chasing the real thing, you’ll miss out on the deeper benefits that only natural plants can provide.
The Pros & Cons of Real Plants
Now let’s look at the pros and cons of real plants and how they can improve your office space and team culture.
Real Plants: Pros
- Real indoor plants do far more than add beauty – they also offer measurable health benefits. Studies (including NASA’s famous plant research) show that potted plants naturally purify the air, removing toxins and creating a cleaner, fresher work environment.
- Living plants have been shown to help reduce stress, lower anxiety, and even improve mental health. Having indoor greenery around helps employees feel calmer, happier and more focused, leading to fewer sick days and better concentration.
- Even better, real plants boost productivity. With cleaner air and a more pleasant environment, memory retention and problem-solving ability can improve by up to 20%. And when employees are more productive, your business thrives too.
Beyond the measurable benefits, real plants bring a sense of warmth, texture and movement that’s impossible to replicate. Their subtle growth and variation in colour bring life to an otherwise static office.
Real Plants: Cons
- The biggest downside to real houseplants is the regular maintenance they require. You’ll need to water them, ensure they get enough light, and occasionally repot them into larger pots with the right soil. If they don’t thrive, they can quickly look neglected, which has the opposite effect of what you intended.
- Buying indoor plants real can also be expensive, especially if you want large houseplants that make an impact. A single-statement plant can cost over $100, and cheaper options might not be the quality you need.
- And while real plants bring positivity and energy to the office, dying plants can have the reverse effect. Seeing a wilted fern on a Monday morning doesn’t exactly motivate the team!
The good news? All of this can be avoided with professional help. An indoor plant hire service, like Prestigious Plantscapes, takes care of everything – watering, feeding, pruning, pest control and replacements – so your plants always look fresh and healthy.
And the Winner Is…
Call us biased, but the plant type coming out on top is real plants! There are clear pros and cons to real and artificial plants, but if you want the real benefits, such as cleaner air, less stress, improved productivity, and greater well-being, then real plants are the best investment for your office.
That said, artificial plants still have their place. They’re ideal for low-light areas, high shelves, or where maintenance simply isn’t practical. The best offices often combine both real and artificial plants for a balanced, natural look that stays perfect year-round.
How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Office
Still not sure which option is right for your team? Start by looking at your work environment.
If your office enjoys plenty of natural light and you have someone with a green thumb, then investing in living plants makes perfect sense. Hardy species like snake plants, peace lilies and pothos are easy to care for, need minimal watering, and thrive in typical indoor conditions. They’ll reward you with fresh air and a boost in productivity.
For offices with limited sunlight, faux plants are a stylish and practical solution. Choose artificial greenery with realistic foliage and high-quality materials so you get the look of real plants without the upkeep. Many modern artificial plants are designed to mimic specific houseplants, from lush monsteras to sculptural succulents, and look fresh year-round.
If you want the best of both worlds, consider mixing the two. Real and artificial plants can coexist beautifully. Use living plants in well-lit, high-traffic areas to bring life and movement, and add faux foliage to darker corners or elevated spaces where regular maintenance isn’t practical.
The Benefits of Professional Plant Styling
Choosing plants is just the start… how they’re arranged can make a huge difference to your interior design. Professional plant stylists understand how to balance colour, texture and height to complement your décor, create natural divisions between spaces, and enhance the flow of your office layout.
At Prestigious Plantscapes, we offer indoor plant hire and design services across Brisbane, helping businesses create welcoming, modern spaces that boost well-being and impress clients. From statement plants that anchor your reception area to small pots that bring warmth to meeting rooms, every installation is tailored to your brand, lighting and budget. We create custom plantscapes that blend real and faux plants to suit your lighting, style and budget.
Our complete service includes installation, maintenance, watering, feeding, cleaning, pruning and pest control – everything your office plants need to thrive. So you’ll enjoy all the benefits, from enhanced air quality and well-being to improved productivity, without lifting a finger.
Contact the friendly team today for a free design consultation, and we’ll be in touch within 12 business hours to help you create a workspace that’s green, fresh and full of life.
Frequently asked questions
Do real plants really improve air quality?
Yes! According to NASA’s clean air study, common indoor plants such as peace lilies and spider plants can help purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.
Are artificial plants suitable for offices with low light?
Absolutely. Artificial plants don’t require sunlight, which makes them perfect for windowless offices, shaded corners or spaces with inconsistent lighting.
What are the easiest indoor plants to maintain?
For beginners, snake plants, zanzibars and pothos are ideal. They’re hardy, low-maintenance and can tolerate lower light levels and occasional forgetful watering.
Are fake plants bad for the environment?
While artificial greenery is long-lasting, it’s made from synthetic materials that aren’t biodegradable. The most sustainable approach is to combine real and artificial plants, using long-life faux plants where real ones can’t survive.
How often should real plants be maintained?
Most indoor plants need watering once a week and pruning every few months. If you use an indoor plant hire service, professionals handle all of that for you, keeping your plants thriving without any effort on your part.
