50+ Realistic Artificial Outdoor Plants for the Front Porch

The best realistic artificial outdoor plants for the front porch, where to find them, plus tips and tricks for making them look real

Sometimes the real thing is overrated…

That’s how I feel about front porch flowers and greenery anyways.

Don’t get me wrong, I love taking care of all the very real plants and flowers in the garden but for some reason I just can’t remember to water anything outside of it.

Our front porch flowers and greenery always end up shriveled up and dead within two weeks. So I decided to stop wasting money and ruining our front porch aesthetic and make the swap to faux plants.

The best part is that there are a few tips I like to use to make them look really realistic and where to find the best ones.

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Why I Love Using Artificial Plants on My Porch

I am not here to convince you that fake plants are better than real ones. I am just saying there are a lot of benefits to using faux plants on your front porch.

Low Maintenance: Faux plants require zero watering making them ideal for busy people. Also you never have to worry about who’s going to water them if you go on vacation!

Weatherproof: A lot of outdoor plants and flowers are UV protected and some are water repellent which means they will last for multiple seasons.

Pet-safe: Another bonus is that artificial plants and flowers won’t be appetizing to curious pets, unlike some poisonous plants and flowers.

What to Look for in Outdoor Artificial Plants

Realistic Artificial Outdoor Plants for the Front Porch

Not all faux plants are created equal—especially when they’re going to live outside. If you want your porch to look effortlessly lush (without screaming “I’m fake!”), here are the key things to keep in mind when shopping for outdoor artificial plants:

UV Protection

Sunlight is the biggest culprit when it comes to fading and wear. Look for plants that are labeled UV-resistant or UV-treated—these are designed to handle direct sunlight without turning weird shades of blue or brittle.

Pro Tip- If they are not made with UV protection you can use ScotchGard to weather protect them instead. In fact I spray all my outdoor plants, flowers, and rugs even when they are UV protected.

Material Matters

Faux plants made for outdoor use should be sturdy and weather-tolerant. Here’s what to look for:

Polyethylene (PE): A popular material for greenery—durable, weather-resistant, and can mimic the natural texture of leaves.
Silk or Fabric Flowers: These can look incredibly real but may not hold up to rain or harsh sun unless protected or under cover.
Plastic with a Matte Finish: Shiny = fake. Matte = more realistic. Always opt for a more natural texture if realism is your goal.

Pro Tip: If the faux flowers arrive way shinier than you prefer, spray them with a clear matte sealer. You can find a can in the paint aisle of most home improvement stores.

Scale & Size Should Fit Your Space

A tiny topiary will look lost beside a tall door, while oversized planters can overwhelm a small porch. Think about:

Proportions: Match your plant size to the height and width of your entryway, railings, or seating.
Grouping: Use plants in varying heights (tall in back, short in front) for a natural layered look.
Symmetry or Asymmetry: Go symmetrical for formal, classic vibes; mix things up for a more casual, cottage-core look.

My Favorite Faux Greenery for Planters and Urns

Boxwood Topiaries – classic and symmetrical.

Artificial Ferns – lush and great for filling wide planters.

My Favorite Faux Greenery for Planters and Urns

Eucalyptus Sprays – great as filler or accents.

The Best Faux Flowers for Front Porch

Artificial flowers are a great way to add a pop of color to your front porch. Here are a few of my favorite options:

Faux Hydrangeas – full, soft petals (look for ones with realistic petal veining).
UV-Protected Geraniums – bold color and classic summer porch vibes.
Faux Lavender Bundles – rustic, calming, and subtle in tone.
Trailing Ivy or Wisteria – great for cascading over planters.

Top Picks for Artificial Flowers That Look Real Outdoors

How to Style Faux Plants So They Don’t Look Fake

Styling fake plants to look real is my jam. I share a bunch of tips and tricks for making indoor florals and greenery look real here. For the outdoor plants and flowers I have a few additional tricks so no-one will know your plants are fake.

Use Real Soil or Decorative Moss

Using real soil or a natural colored decorative moss is a great way to cover the base of the plant and floral stems. This adds a realistic touch and is super simple to do.

Whenever I am going the fake moss route I like to add a base layer, like paper or a cardboard box, then hot glue the moss on top. This helps to ensure the moss won’t blow away with the wind.

Shape and Fluff the Stems

Most faux plants come compressed and look a little crinkled when they arrive.

Start by separating the stems and bending the leaves into the proper position.

Next I use a steamer to unwrinkle the petals and leaves. This steamer is from Amazon and it does an amazing job on both wrinkled clothes and florals.

If the petals still don’t look as fluffy as you hoped, use a blow dryer on medium to high heat to fluff them back up.

Use Multiple Types of Greenery/Stems

How to Style Faux Plants So They Don’t Look Fake

For an elevated look add more than one type of floral or greenery stem to the same planter.

This will give the arrangement some dimension and make it look more realistic.

If your stems come attached to one large stem, I suggest cutting the stems off individually so that they are easier to manipulate and place.

My Go-To Planters for a Designer Look

Now that we have covered the greenery and floral options it’s time to choose the right planter. I love mixing and matching different types of vessels for a curated look.

For instance on our front porch I am using the two wooden planter boxes I made a while ago with these cream colored urns (here is a similar option).

Here are some other options I really love:

Tall Matte Black Urns – timeless and modern.

Wicker Baskets (with plastic liners) – great for rustic porches.

Concrete-Look Planters – neutral, heavy, and won’t blow away.

DIY Spray Painted Pots – personalize budget finds.

Hardwood Flower Box
Brixton Series Long Plastic Planter
Versatile Antique White Urn Planter
20-Inch Square Planter
Tall White Plastic Planters
24-Inch Tall Black Planters
18″ Cannes Urn Polyresin
Kante Square Lion Head Concrete Planter
Classic Traditional Plastic Urn Planter
Worth Garden Plastic Urn Planters

Realistic Looking Faux Front Door Wreaths

Realistic looking faux flowers aren’t just for planters and pots but your front door too!

I love a good wreath and to be honest, sometimes you have to spend a little more on a front door wreath to get a good quality one. On a high note, the quality wreaths will last for multiple seasons/years so you are really saving money in the long run.

Realistic Looking Faux Front Door Wreaths

White Daisy Wre ath
Pink Floral Spring Wreaths
Purple Lavender Flower Wreath
20” Eucalyptus Wreath
Spring and Everyday Greenery Wild Flower Wreath
Dahlia & Mum Wreath
Rose Wreath
20″ Mixed Flower Wreath
Mix Royal Ruscus, Fittonia and Berries Artificial Wreath
20″ Olive Wreath
22” Boxwood Wreath
22” Forsythia Artificial Wreath

How to Keep Artificial Plants Looking Fresh Outside

The best part about artificial plants and flowers is that you can use them year after year, especially if you maintain them well.

Here are a few maintenance tips for keeping your artificial plants looking fresh:

Dust & Rinse Monthly: Use a hose or damp cloth.
UV Spray Once a Season: Helps protect fading colors.
Rotate Plants for Even Wear: Especially if only one side gets sun.
Store Delicate Pieces in Off-Season: If possible.

Realistic Artificial Outdoor Plants for the Front Porch

Have I convinced you to give the faux life a try?

Trust me once you are released from daily watering and plant care you will never go back to real flowers on your front porch again. I mean unless you like that sort of thing.

I think until our child moves out of the house I am only able to commit to the fake plant life. Keeping too many things alive is a whole lot of pressure.

Let me know what you think of these tips and tricks for making your outdoor plants and flowers look real.