How to Care for Faux Flowers So They Look Real for Years

One of the joys of faux flowers is how little they ask of you. No watering, no wilting, no weekly trips to the florist. But a few simple habits will keep your arrangements looking freshly cut and beautifully realistic for years to come.

Dust them gently and often

Dust is the main thing that dulls faux flowers over time. Once a week, give your arrangement a gentle going-over with a soft makeup brush, a clean paintbrush or a hairdryer on its coolest, lowest setting. For real-touch petals, a soft microfibre cloth works beautifully.

Deep clean now and then

Every few months, lift stems from the vase and clean them properly. For most silk and real-touch flowers, a light mist of water and a wipe with a soft cloth is plenty. Avoid soaking arrangements with foam bases. A quick blast of cool air afterwards restores the lift in the petals.

Keep them out of harsh sunlight

Like anything, prolonged direct sunlight can fade colour over time. Position arrangements away from a south-facing windowsill where you can, and rotate them occasionally so they age evenly.

Reshape, refresh and store with care

Faux stems are designed to be bent and shaped. Every so often, fluff the foliage and reposition the focal blooms to keep the arrangement looking natural and full. If you store seasonal pieces such as wreaths, wrap them loosely in tissue and keep them somewhere cool and dry, never crushed in a box.

Looked after well, a good faux arrangement will outlast countless bunches of fresh flowers. Browse our faux stems and ready-made arrangements to start your collection.