I know there’s a lot of talk on blogs about whether the ever-popular fiddle leaf fig tree is “in” or “out” in decorating, but when you think about it, isn’t it kind of silly to put any plant in a trend category? (Most of the world doesn’t think that way. . .) I was even more convinced that this tree was here to stay after seeing Holly’s house in a recent issue of Country Living:
They’re so popular because they visually fill dead space so well and green, whether fresh or a really good faux, adds life to any room. After seeing her living room, I went online in search of a fake. I’m a realist, after all. :) It’s hard to find one that A.) looks anywhere close to real and B.) is under $300. After much searching, I found this one:
Even with shipping, it was less than half the cost of the Pottery Barn one I’d been considering forever. I definitely felt like I was taking a chance on this one since I wasn’t totally convinced by the product photo. . .
This is what it looked like upon arrival:
And after some fluffing:
Much better. I stuck it in a seagrass basket, and until I can get some moss (maybe never) to fill the basket, I just wrapped a tablecloth around the base. (I did boost it up with some books in the bottom of the basket.)
Overall, I’m pretty pleased with how realistic it looks–at least from afar. (If anyone crawls back in this corner and sticks their nose in my tree, they’re not invited back!) I really like the shape; it feels “natural” and sprawling which is the look I wanted.
By the way, here’s one other option I found online at a good price and the same height.
This one would give you a fuller look similar to this, if that’s what you’re going for. . .
Carrier and Company (Two in a big entryway; pretty idea!)
That is a great option and a great price. I have found that if you twist an individual leaf, you can rotate it so that the front of the leaf faces a better direction. What makes a fake plant look fake, to me, are seeing the plastic ribs underneath. I had a spray of fake olive, and twisted the leaves for a better viewing position.
Smart. I’m going to twist all of my leaves today :)
When I had a housecleaning business I despised fake plants because of the dust issue. In recent years I’ve started buying fake succulents that I think look real enough and even a fake potted plant. I don’t want to succumb to what other people think is in or out of style anymore.
It looks such a great (and affordable!) option, Emily. Thanks for sharing! I love it when I get to see online purchases “in real life” and hear the details on them!
Question…what do you do with house plants/trees during Christmas when your Christmas tree is the star of the show? Move them all to another room or leave them out?
Thank you so much for the review and pics- I’ve been wanting a faux fig tree for a little my time but didn’t want it to look too fake or pay all the money for a pottery barn tree!! Thank you, I’m buying it now!
It looks great in your space. I have an empty corner(or 3) that need something green, and the price is excellent, thanks for telling us about this great option.
Pat
Thanks for the source, pics and how to make it better. I have had a truly wonderful tall ficus tree (not “in style” anymore, supposedly:) for years and it is totally natural looking. I only need to dust it once a year and it sprays off in my driveway quite easily. I bought it when it was half price and it was more than I’d usually pay. But it’s been a super addition to several of the houses we’ve moved to for the last 19 years! It fills a corner in our bedroom now and I still really like it. Like you said, how can a green tree go out of “style”?
This is perfect timing for me!!! I have been on the hunt for a good (tall) fake fiddle and was resisting biting the bullet on the PB one too. I will try these for sure!!
It looks nice! My real one is struggling. I may have to go this option soon! Thanks for sharing. ~Miranda
I really like the way your living room is coming together. I finally got rid of my fake ficus tree, (what can I say, I’m a trend-setter),which was a nice one, but the dust was crazy. Is dust any less a problem on real plants? Have considered a real fig leaf many times, but it would probably not end well. Thanks, Emily, for the links.
I love the look of your living room especially those indigo prints on the wall. Could you please share where you got them?
I painted them :)
Great information! I also adore the black and white pillow on your couch!! May I ask where you got it? It’s perfect!! Thank you!!
Target but it has since sold out :(
Thank you for this post! I’ve been considering this forever! I do have a random question: Do you happen to know the paint color in her family room? I LOVE IT!! THANK YOU!!!!!
It’s Palace Pearl by BM :)
Thanks Emily!
Looks lovely in your room. I am fortunate to have a real Chicago fig tree potted on my deck. Since we live in Ohio, once the leaves fall, the plant retreats to our garage. Hopefully, I can send a photo to you.
I snagged a real one for $25 at a local nursery and have to admit its doing amazingly well! Leaves droop, I water it and she’s happy again.
But I know…you gotta know what works for you! Its beautiful, real or not!
Michael’s also has a pretty convincing fake fiddle leaf that is a tad smaller (4 feet), but I got it for $30 (!!!) a few weeks ago on summer clearance.
Where did you find your basket that you settled the Fig in?
I think from Marshall’s but several years ago…
I have had my eye on this for a while as my try with a live fiddle leaf ended quickly :| I think I can pull the trigger now that someone else has given it a try. Thank you!
Love it! I don’t like that “in” or “out” that goes around the decorating world.. I mean, if you can make something look that good there’s no reason to keep classifying!
Just curious but where did you get the red and yellow rug in the first picture?
Home Depot online has a realistic fiddle fig tree for about $106. I pulled the lower branches off to give it a rounder top. It’s very realistic. I personally think the Pottery Barn version looks plastic and cheap. People still line up to pay $300 for them. 🤷♀️
I believe that the Pottery Barn trees are on sale right now. The prices start at $200.