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Design Dilemma Home Decorating

Fake Ficus Tree - Still in style?

Ashley Mcnaught

5 years ago

I am making some small updates to our home decor, and wanted opinions. Are tall fake ficus trees still relevant when it comes to decorating? I guess I’ve been looking at this thing for 20+ years and wanted to know if it should be retired or is it still “decor relevant”. I’m probably over thinking this.

Featured Answer

winker58

5 years ago

I think sometimes it looks good to have something soft and "fluff-like" instead of too many hard cold looking decorations. Plants, real or fake, soften the look. I had a great looking fake ficus that I hosed down twice a year and vacuumed it gently once a month. I think it looked better than a plant in a dark corner that's dying and dropping leaves. Sometimes the spot that needs softening just won't work for a real live plant.

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Comments (38)

Judy Mishkin
5 years ago
is it relevant to *you*?

for me, anything thats been there for 20 years could use a few years vacation in another space.
Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
If it’s 20 years old, it’s probably not looking its best.
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The first bend in the trunk is result of a previous pruning. I noticed that when I was looking at the first images. Looks like the trunk bifurcated (split to form a 'Y') at that point and one side of the bifurcation was pruned off. In mid-June, the lowest branch marked in yellow should be cut back to 4 leaves. The long branch moving left/ marked yellow in the image above, and the branch moving right/ marked yellow should also be pruned back to 2 leaves. The leader, above these 2 branches and marked in yellow, should be pruned back to a leaf that points in the direction you want the leader to grow. This is called 'directional pruning'. Example: With the above pruning cut made, the new branch (shows as a leaf only, but it's a new branch) in the axil of the leaf on the right will want to grow to the right. If you wanted the new leader to move left, you would prune lower, to just above the leaf on the left. A cut above the leaf attached to the severed part would give rise to a branch growing away from the grower. Because there are other forces in play, like phototropism (tendency for plants to bend toward the brightest light source), there is no guarantee the branch will grow where you wish, so you might need to encourage the new branch that forms in the axil of the leader's top leaf to grow where YOU want it to. I mentioned this already, but I'll reiterate that your tree will respond to pruning with a much higher degree of enthusiasm if you do the pruning A) while the tree's energy reserves are highest, and B) when the tree's current ability to carry on photosynthesis is peaking, both of which will occur during the summer solstice (21 June). 'Father's Day' is easy to remember. If you intend to repot, do it at the same time you prune. While you could probably remove a little soil to cut through (2 cuts) the kinked root that emerges from and returns too the soil, I would do it at the same time you prune the top. Reason: Pruning the top decreases the volume of foliage the roots must work to keep hydrated. It also makes it less likely that a branch on the same side of the tree where the kinked root is attached will die. When a tree is unable to keep certain parts hydrated, it sheds those parts. Unfortunately, they seem to always choose to shed parts the grower feels are essential to the o/a composition/ shape/ style of the tree. Some trees, like junipers/ yews/ arborvitae/ .... , develop a dedicated relationship between individual roots and branches, such that damage to a particular root will kill a particular branch. Notice the live veins connecting roots to individual branches below: This tree ^^^ has 4 branches and 4 live veins. Other trees lack the direct relationship between particular roots and branches. For the genus Ficus, the relation is moderate, but the lower a branch is (and the shorter the tree is) the greater the likelihood that death of a branch or root will result in the dieback of it's counterpart on the opposite side of the root to shoot connection. When serious about earning a green thumb, the largest step a container gardener can take in that direction will come from understanding how water behaves in container media and what that means to the health of your plants' root systems; this, because issues with root function and/or health cause the most problems by far, with some of them seemingly unrelated to root health. Two examples that lend support to the later contention are infections by disease pathogens and insect predation due to a less than robust metabolic rate, caused by limited root function or poor root health. A healthy plant will remain forever elusive unless and until we are able to maintain root systems in an elevated state of vitality (health). Al
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If you were to type in artificial flowers in the GJ search bar, you would most likely find several postings where we've all had this same discussion. Personally, for me, I use artificial flowers on my front porch for a variety of reasons...I mix them with the real ones to add more colors since annuals tend to like full sun and my porch is shady. I also use them because my four cats and two very large possums rule my front porch, so the fake ones can take more of a beating than the real ones and because I can move them and bend them at will. They add a pop of color and since I have so many real gardens to tend, it allows me to spend more time there and still make sure my front porch looks inviting. Your porch looks great! And with a new little one to take care of, it's an even better idea. Love your color choices and all of your pots, etc. And....we've all made comments of other people's stuff and later had to eat those words, so don't feel too bad about that! Great job and very creative too!
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There are a lot of hard edges for the entryway. Doors (even its windows) and windows are already rectangle, as is the space. The mirror, console table and rug are also long rectangles. I would do a large runner that fits the entire space, or a large half round rug that goes from outside window edge-in front of door-to other outside window edge. You console is pretty but you could use a larger piece since the opening next to it is wide. I liked the depth of your first table, but don't think it was long enough. It was also another rectangle. If no half circle rug at entrance, a demilune table would be nice. I also think Beverly's suggestions are nice. Did you get a real tree? As long as the door doesn't get flung open, you could place a live low light plant closer to the window.
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deegw
5 years ago
If you are tired of it you can retire it with no guilt.
iheartsix
5 years ago
That's a nice tree. Not all faux trees are created equal, yours looks great. I thinks it's definitely a personal preference. I gave away our trees to someone who wanted them and was very excited to receive them. I now have a faux Fiddle leaf fig tree and I love it. So, don't pitch it if you decide to let it go - I'm sure someone would love to adopt it.
Ashley Mcnaught thanked iheartsix
Ashley Mcnaught
Original Author
5 years ago
I have a new chair arriving tomorrow for that corner and I’ve already received a new tall floor lamp and a couple of wood & iron decor panels, so the tree may just be moved to another room. That corner is in our bedroom and it’s just time for an update, I think the tree needs to move!
chloebud
5 years ago
Ashley, it's retirement time.
K Laurence
5 years ago
If you want some greenery in that room , how about a placing low maintenance, potted indoor plant somewhere in the room? Either on a table, plant stand or larger in its place. I’m not a fan of dust collecting artificial plants, “in style “ or not.
dragonflywings42
5 years ago
I tried to find some two years ago for decorating a wedding event and I couldn't find them anywhere. Interestingly, I have been seeing them again in stores, so perhaps they are "back"? We have a nice one in our living room that we decorate with fairy lights and hearts, peace symbols, birds and other non-Christmas things. Makes me smile every time we turn it on which is why we choose the things we do.
chloebud
5 years ago
The dust collection K Laurence mentioned can be a problem. Years ago I had a fake ficus tree and would take it outside to hose off. I made sure it was always on a warm day so it would dry quickly. My fake plant days ended long ago.

Ashley it's up to you...if you like it, keep it. I think one issue with fake plants...along with looking fake...is people place them where a real one wouldn't grow. I have a friend who has a fake Japanese maple tree in a dark corner of her living room. Just plain wrong.
Ashley Mcnaught thanked chloebud
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
If the tree 'crunches' & is stiff and crispy when you touch it, it's time to throw it out. If you got 20 years out of it you got about 4 times more than anyone else. After this amount of time the dirt, dust and allergens it holds just can't be removed.

There are more life like trees out now, but they are no longer $35. Check Overstock, Wayfair, Amazon, & World Market.
Ashley Mcnaught thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It was out when you put it in. Peak was about 1988. And you’ve got 20 years of dust in the crevices. Time to go.
PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago
Curb. Today
Cheryl Smith
5 years ago
Sorry but NO fake tree is in style. Living on the other hand is always a plus in a room if it has good light. Fake are just dust collectors and lack life. Don't go there. It's time after 20 years to retire it.
mehdiadeco
5 years ago
Hi Ashley,

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." - William Morris

If you say I’ve been looking at this thing for 20+ years, then I guess you know what to do...

Have a nice day

Mehdia
greenfish1234
5 years ago
Chloebud you took the words out of my mouth. I don't know what is worse: fake plants themselves, or the way they are ALWAYS crouching against the wall (or on top of cabinets) in a dark corner ready to pounce on you. If the corner is dark it needs a lamp not a heap of green plastic and polyester. If a real plant wouldn't survive there a fake one definitely doesn't belong.

Enjoy your new chair and your updated look!
Ashley Mcnaught thanked greenfish1234
winker58
5 years ago
Haha. I did not mean a dark dark dark corner. I meant toooooo dark for a living plant to survive. Stop being so up there that you cannot bring yourself to have something like an artificial plant. There I said it. So tired of all the years reading on this site where people go on and on about some really petty things. keep the fluff and not the cold chair in the corner with a lamp and a cold attitude.
deegw
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
winker58 said

Haha. I did not mean a dark dark dark corner. I meant toooooo dark for a living plant to survive. Stop being so up there that you cannot bring yourself to have something like an artificial plant. There I said it. So tired of all the years reading on this site where people go on and on about some really petty things. keep the fluff and not the cold chair in the corner with a lamp and a cold attitude.

It's not a matter of being "up there", it's about making choices that you like for your house. The OP asked for opinions about fake plants. Some dislike fake plants, some love them. If you love fake plants, go for it. But don't accuse people of being "up there" because their decorating opinion is different from yours.

If you don't want to read about decor opinions you shouldn't be on a decorating site.
cpaul1
5 years ago
I don't have a problem with faux items in general, but they need to be of the newer quality that look more life like and they need to be an up to date style. Ficus is not up to date IMO. I would get rid of it, it looks very dated to me.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Say goodbye and either get a real one or forget it.
bossyvossy
5 years ago
I don’t think it was ever in style. Say adios to it and list it on CL where the other thousand fake ficuses live.
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The 80s called. It wants its ficus back.

Seriously, tho -- I have several fake orchids in my house, and sometimes even they make me cringe a bit. I disliked fake ficus even when I had one in my living room back in the 80s, but bought it to fill a space. Now I find beauty in the blank spaces, especially because they're so much easier to dust.

Hey ficus? Buh-bye.
miss lindsey (She/Her)
5 years ago
Yes, I can say with absolutely no sense of shame that I am too up there to have anything artificial in my house. Real plants, real food, real people only around here thank you very much.

Of course that means I have a lot of purchases that were from second hand stores, and a lot of DIY solutions, and a lot of compromises that mean I get my second or third choice instead of my dream. So maybe that's not so up there after all?
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
I am almost 50 years old and I remember when my mother's friend showed off her brand new fake ficus tree to us.
lisaw2015 (ME)
5 years ago
I have a couple of very nice looking fake plants and dozens of real ones. You wanna guess which I get compliments on most often? Yup....people have to literally touch them because they don't believe me when I say they are fake. They are showered at least once a season & are in beautiful pots, not cheap looking out of shape baskets.
User
5 years ago
Maybe the faux ficus trees they're producing these days look a little better than they used to, but the OP's 20-year-old doesn't look at all like the real thing:
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
My original answer about ficus trees being old is somewhat disingenuous. The bottom line is, ficus trees were a fad in the early 80s. Apparently these fake trees looked much better than previous iterations of fake trees. And it's fine to indulge in fads in home decor- but fads have a sell-by date- and the ficus tree fad's is long gone.

Of course our family friend could have showed us a beautiful new coffee table in 1982 that would still look good today.
My House
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
When we were model home shopping last weekend.... Fiddle Leaf Fig trees were in every home. I saw them placed in large baskets and covered with moss. Google : fiddle leaf fig tree 6 foot. Nearly Natural is the maker of the tree below. My google search showed various prices. NOTE: If you want a taller tree, put in in a basket & on a stand.

If you want it taller than 6 ft, put it on a stand.
pricklypearcactus
5 years ago
I have mixed feelings about fake plants in general. It does seem like there are some beautiful high quality ones out there that really bring life to a space in pictures, I am also not excited about having anything fake in my own home. That said, unless your fake ficus brings you joy, I'd get rid of it. It seems like they were very popular in dreary offices in the 90s and I'm afraid that's what they look like to me. If you want to switch to a very "in" fake tree, I agree with DK Haas that the fake fiddle leaf fig tree is all the rage right now.
Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
I eyeball the fake orchids once in a while when I’m out looking at decor things, but can’t bring myself to buy one. I agree it would look nice in a photo, but IRL it’s not quite the same as having a real plant. That said, I kept an orchid I bought last year, and it just bloomed again, but the durned thing is only about 6 inches tall, lol. Cute, though, has two flowers.
My House
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
On second thought, here is a model home with (what I think is) a FICUS!

https://tours.stevenjamescollins.com/public/vtour/display/209717
iheartsix
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
There are fake 'anything green' that I would never look at twice then there are good quality greens that deserve my attention simply based on the fact that anyone who knows me irl knows I kill plants. I have fake greens in my home that took me searching high and low (ordering online) to achieve the 'bringing life to the room' look. I for one am grateful for FAKE plants. FAKE & PROUD of it. :D
greenfish1234
5 years ago
Just keep them out of the corners, iheartsix ;)
Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
I’ve never had one, but there was a real one at a place where I worked, and it dripped sap all over the floor.
Emily McCloy
5 years ago
Do you need any more opinions to make your decision? Ha! I say let that one go because he's dated. But faux is IN right now!
Ashley Mcnaught
Original Author
5 years ago
Emily, no way!!! That tree has found a temporary home in the garage and will be headed to donation this weekend! Thanks to all!!!
Kimberly Allen
3 years ago
I have one i just put in the shower. I took it out of the HUGE DARK WICKER basket. When it's dry-I will put it on my apartment balcony for privacy!
5040diane
3 months ago
It’s 2024. Instagram will have you thinking it’s the “in” thing.

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