Bamboo is beautiful, delicate, and symbolic of harmony and peace. But growing bamboo isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, nor is it always possible depending on your circumstances or environment. If you want to enjoy greenery in your space without the hassle of caring for living bamboo, you may want to consider getting a fake bamboo plant instead.
Fake bamboo plants have come a long way from the flimsy plastic plants displayed at shopping malls decades ago. Not only are fake bamboo plants realistic-looking, but they are a beautiful choice for many looking to save time and enjoy the flexibility of faux bamboo.
If you’re on the fence about getting artificial bamboo for your indoor or outdoor space, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll explore the top 10 reasons why you won’t regret getting a fake bamboo plant (or many)!
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1. Real bamboo is tough to grow indoors
Bamboo plants are some of the planet’s largest and fastest-growing grasses. While they are very hardy plants, they tend to do poorly indoors. Not only that, but many bamboo species can grow quite large, so keeping them in your home might be highly impractical unless you choose a dwarf variety.
Many people who want the aesthetic of bamboo in their home instead purchase bamboo lookalikes such as lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana). But since lucky bamboo only grows about 1-2 feet tall and has very sparse foliage, you may want something that looks even more similar to the real thing. This is where fake bamboo comes in. Tall (but not too tall for indoors) and full of lush, life-like foliage, fake bamboo makes a great addition to any space.
2. Fake bamboo plants are low-maintenance
Almost all plants need water, light, and nutrients to thrive. They also need pruning, cleaning, repotting, and occasional pest/disease management. Aside from cleaning your artificial bamboo to remove dust, dirt, and other particles, artificial bamboo is incredibly low maintenance.
Because of this, fake bamboo is great if you travel a lot or spend a lot of time away from home, as it allows you to enjoy greenery without worrying about keeping it alive. Fake bamboo is also incredibly versatile. You can use it to decorate special events such as weddings, baby showers, and outdoor dinners, or you can simply move it around your space as needed.
3. Minimal changes to their appearance over time
Living plants grow and change over time. They can age, develop yellow or brown leaves, develop unusual growth patterns, or become sick due to disease or pest damage. While most bamboos are evergreen, it’s not uncommon for them to shed leaves in the winter or during periods of drought, which can change its appearance.
By contrast, artificial bamboo plants have a more permanent appearance. If you take good care of them and clean them regularly, they will look the same several years later! Even bamboo that is kept outside and exposed to the harsh elements can be protected so it maintains its fresh appearance.
4. Safe for pets
If you share your home with pets, you might be hesitant to bring any potentially toxic plant into your home. For example, did you know that lucky bamboo, commonly kept indoors, is toxic to cats and dogs? Artificial bamboo plants are a great alternative for pet owners who want a safe way to enjoy greenery without worrying about it posing a risk to their pets.
Pets generally are less interested in faux plants since they don’t have a desirable scent or taste. With that said, if your pet happens to eat parts of your plastic bamboo plant, be sure to call your veterinarian. Depending on the material of your artificial bamboo, you can spray it with bitter-tasting substances that will discourage pets from nibbling on it.
Artificial bamboo plants are a great alternative for cat owners, particularly those with cats who like to use potting soil as their personal washroom. Soil, necessary for growing many plants, can mimic a cat’s litter box. Luckily with artificial plants, there usually is no substrate for the cat to use.
5. Fake bamboo is not invasive
If you’ve thought about growing bamboo outdoors, you may have encountered warnings about the invasive nature of bamboo. Some species of bamboo, particularly running bamboo, spread through underground rhizomes. Spreading far and wide, these can quickly take over an outdoor space and be incredibly difficult to eliminate.
While bamboo can be a wonderful addition to any garden, it’s important to take the necessary steps to control its spread to prevent it becoming invasive. To avoid this hassle altogether, you can get fake bamboo, which doesn’t grow at all. Therefore, it will not spread, and poses no risk of growing beyond your yard!
6. No pest problems
Bamboo plants are generally very pest-resistant, but many of their indoor lookalikes are not. They can get pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, or thrips. Pests can quickly cause a plant to develop yellow or brown leaves and, in severe infections, can kill the plant entirely. Those insects prefer to feast on the plant’s nutrients, which are absent from artificial plants.
Does this mean you’ll never find a living insect on your fake bamboo plant? Of course not. You may find the occasional house spider seeking a hiding place, but in general, you should encounter no pest problems with your artificial bamboo.
7. Beautiful and decorative
When you think of fake plants, you may conjure an image of something with dull colors and brittle or flimsy leaves that are very clearly not the real thing. If so, you might be surprised to learn that fake plants have come a long way and can often look quite life-like.
Artificial bamboo plants are so delicate and stylish that they add much visual interest to your space. You may even be shocked when guests assume you are growing a real bamboo plant in your home.
8. Renter-friendly
Artificial bamboo is a great renter-friendly option to decorate a patio or an outdoor space. There is no change to the landscape required, no extensive gardening involved, and you can still enjoy the appearance of bamboo while staying on your landlord’s good side!
Faux bamboo plants come in different sizes, and there are plenty of apartment-friendly options that can be placed on a balcony or deck.
9. You can easily take them with you when you move
One of the hardest parts about moving is parting with plants you have established in the garden. Sometimes you can take pieces of them with you, but often you cannot. The new owner or occupant may not approve, or it simply might not be feasible. This is a common problem for tenants moving out, but it can also apply to people who sell their homes.
Moving living plants can be incredibly stressful no matter the type of plant. Moving living bamboo is even more difficult due to its size, though you can try taking cuttings of your bamboo.
On the other hand, fake bamboo plants are flexible and easy to move to a new home; you don’t have to leave them behind! All you need to do is pack them up, and if protected properly they should survive the move in great condition without suffering yellow leaves or other common symptoms of shock that many live plants would suffer.
10. No mess
Bringing nature into the home is beautiful, but it can be messy! Some people are opposed to having dirt, bugs, or water in their homes. For those, artificial bamboo is a great, mess-free alternative.
Since artificial bamboo plants don’t need water, you can keep them around your home without worrying about spilling water on the floor. You also won’t have to deal with the inevitable soil spills when you repot it or move it around. Yes, you can have plants and keep the mess minimal, but if that’s not something you’re willing to put up with, we get it!
FAQ about artificial bamboo plants
Do artificial bamboo plants require any maintenance?
Artificial bamboo plants only need to be cleaned occasionally to prevent dust or dirt from building up on the leaves. You can dust them regularly along with your household dusting, but you will also want to give them a good cleaning at least once a year to keep them looking shiny and in great shape.
Would an artificial bamboo plant work for an office space?
An artificial bamboo plant is perfect for the home or office! A thoughtfully-placed faux bamboo plant can give your office a pop of elegant greenery and add a feeling of serenity and calm. You won’t have to worry about a living plant struggling under artificial light, either. Just make sure you aren’t breaking any office rules before bringing an artificial bamboo plant to work! cutting on a windowsill, your lucky bamboo will grow vertically, which is still quite beautiful!
Will artificial bamboo plants work for screening and privacy?
Artificial bamboo can absolutely work for screening or privacy. Simply choose several artificial bamboo plants that have a more bushy appearance, which will provide the perfect amount of privacy for indoor or outdoor settings. You also have the added flexibility of placing your privacy screen in a location that works best for you rather than a location that a living bamboo plant can inhabit.
Check out our top choices for artificial bamboo screening here!
