Look, I’ll admit it—my green thumb is more like a beige one. I want to be the person whose yard looks like a botanical garden, but the truth is I’ve murdered more petunias than I’d care to admit. (I swear it wasn’t premeditated—just poor watering habits and a lot of denial.)
So when I discovered outdoor artificial flowers, it was like finding the secret to gardening immortality. No watering, no weeding, no crying over crispy foliage in July. Just pop ’em in and boom—instant flower bed.
But here’s the catch: those perky little posies? They blow away. Ask me how I know. (R.I.P. to the plastic peonies currently living in someone else’s eavestrough.)
So today, I’m spilling all the secrets on the best outdoor artificial flowers AND how to “plant” them so they stay put—even when Mother Nature gets a bit dramatic.
Why Choose Outdoor Artificial Flowers?
Oh, friend. Let me count the ways:
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Zero maintenance. Your only chore is brushing off the occasional spider.
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All-season beauty. They won’t wilt, brown, or beg for water.
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Budget-friendly. One-time investment. Eternal bloom.
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Pet-safe and allergy-free. No bees, no sneezes, no problem.
- Your boss asks for something she “doesn’t have to take care of” Yes, adding curb-appeal to a business like a church or daycare requires that no staff be on-call for weekend waterings.
Basically, they’re the unicorns of the garden world. And yes, you can find realistic ones—just avoid the ones that look like they were cut from a clown wig.
The Best Outdoor Artificial Flowers (That Don’t Look Like Dollar Store Drama)
*Following includes Amazon affiliate links. For full Amazon affiliate disclosure, please see the sidebar or bottom of the page.
When shopping for outdoor artificial flowers, look for ones labeled “UV resistant” or “weatherproof.” Otherwise, they’ll fade faster than your willpower during a HomeSense clearance sale.
Top picks:
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UV-Resistant Silk Geraniums
These babies are practically indistinguishable from the real deal. Bonus: no deadheading. -
Plastic Boxwood Balls or Bushes
You’ll feel fancy. Your neighbours will whisper “Is that real?” and you’ll just sip your iced tea smugly. -
Outdoor-Grade Faux Lavender
Soft, subtle, and won’t turn into crunchy sticks in July. -
Artificial Hanging Petunias or Vines
Pop them in a hanging basket and just try not to feel like a garden queen. -
Faux Ferns
Perfect for shady spots, patios, or when you forgot to water the real one for the 97th time.
How to Plant Outdoor Artificial Flowers (So They Don’t Fly South for the Summer)
You don’t just stick them in and walk away. (Well, you can, but you’ll be retrieving begonias from the neighbour’s birdbath before long.)
Here’s how to make them stay put:
1. Use Floral Foam or pool noodles
Line your planters or pots with a sturdy base. Stick the stems into it like you’re the Martha Stewart of fake flora. Some people suggest styrofoam as an option, but for a long planter box like this, pool noodles were a perfect fit.
2. Anchor With Wood, Gravel or Rocks
Use zip ties to attach your floral foam or pool noodles to a scrap piece of wood. As an additional wind resistance, once you’ve “planted” your stems, pour a layer of pea gravel or river rock over the foam to hold everything down and make it look legit. Bonus: it adds a little weight and keeps your arrangements grounded (in both senses).
3. Zip Ties for the Win
Planting directly into garden beds? Tie artificial stems to garden stakes or wire grid fencing so they don’t flap around like floral wind socks.
4. Bury Those Stems
If you’re going for a “planted in the earth” look, bury the stems a few inches deep and pack the soil around them like you mean it. Add mulch on top and no one will know your daffodils are living a lie.
These outdoor artificial flowers came in a 48 pack – 36 of which were these lavender stems that are 13″ tall, so plenty of length to give height were needed, and still enough stem tucked into the noodle to be secure.
Once all of the lavender was spaced out evenly, I went back in and tucked the (12) purple flower stems to fill it out.
The green pool noodles are barely visible, but I’ll be topping it off with a black mulch just to complete the look.
5. Spray With UV-Protectant Clear Coat
If your blooms didn’t come UV-treated, give them a little spritz every few months to prevent fading. It’s like sunscreen, but for geraniums.
Final Thoughts (and a Little Judgement-Free Joy)
So, are outdoor artificial flowers cheating? Pfft. If cheating means I can enjoy all-summer colour without sacrificing my Saturday mornings to mulch and mosquitoes, then hand me a bouquet of lies and call me a garden goddess.
Whether you’re dealing with poor soil, forgetful watering, or just don’t want to spend your summer elbow-deep in compost, outdoor artificial flowers are a game changer. And once you learn how to plant them properly, they’ll stay right where you want them—season after glorious season. For these planter boxes, all you have to do is lift out the wood base and tuck the entire arrangement in the garage or shed for Winter.
Lorax may have it right, but in this house, we believe all flowers are beautiful… but the ones that survive high winds without blinking? They get the VIP spot on the front porch – or in this case, the front of the church.
Planters are happy, wallet is happy, boss is happy, and neighbours are happy with the added curb appeal. I’d say that’s a win all-around!
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Have a great one!