Trending with Mike: Fake can look fresh

Mike Siewert. Photo courtesy Mike Siewert

Date: April 21, 2024

No, I am not talking about various plastic surgery, but rather, plastic plants! 

I always suggest to my clients to add a little green in every room. Whether a tree, a floor plant or a smaller floral, these greens can add freshness and help to fill a space in an organic way. 

Live plants can come with a variety of problems. They need a lot of maintenance to look full and green and they usually become brown in some areas or simply die if over or under watered. And what happens if the water leaks onto your floor?

First and foremost, fake greens that look real do cost more than the cheaper variety. I tend to carry the more expensive types in my store and they are popular, especially if my clients are looking at the details and want something to grace the room that doesn’t look like an afterthought.

Many times, a taller green will come with what is called a liner pot. You have to spend a little more money sometimes for a decorative container and moss to conceal the gap. I sometimes spray expanding insulation foam to create a tight fit. In purchasing your own container, you can create a more traditional or contemporary look, depending on the container you choose. 

If you need a piece of decor that is tall, consider a nice tree. Sometimes a room needs some balance with tall furniture or draperies and a tree can be just the ticket! 

We have been using fresh Ficus Trees for many years. 

Photo by Mike Siewert.

Fiddle Leaf figs are the new trend where tall plants are concerned. And considering the leaf structure, the fake type duplicates a very realistic look. 

Photo by Mike Siewert.

If a palm fits into the decor, I really like the more tropical feel it can give the room.

Photo by Mike Siewert.

Sometimes you have a space that calls for a shorter green. A floor plant comes in a variety of styles and can help hide electric cords from an end table. Or maybe it could help soften the corner of a sofa or piece of furniture.

Photo by Mike Siewert.


I tend to use a lot of small greenery in my designs. Whether on a table surface like a dining table, coffee table, nightstand or end table, a green can add a nice dimension, especially if paired with other decor. It is somewhat theme-less, so it works with just about any decor!

Photo by Mike Siewert.

I really like the boxwood type greens. They were live, but have been preserved. So they look as real and alive as any green can! I use these a lot in book shelves. As the shelves can get real busy with a lot of books and decor, a green can give you any height you desire and fills a void with freshness.

Photo by Mike Siewert.

What to Read Next

The Author

Michael Siewert, aka Signature Mike, is a familiar face in Augusta, Georgia. His store, Signature Interiors and Gifts along with Signature Soles is in the Signature Shops on Furys Ferry Road. The store is busting at the seams with furniture, art, lamps, chandeliers, rugs, home decor and gifts! And next door is shoes and clothing! Mike and his staff work with many clients around the country, from new home construction to redecorating for both interior and exterior, and for both residential and commercial projects! Michael has been the headliner for the Home & Garden Shows in Augusta, Savannah, Orlando and Roanoke, where he shares his design knowledge onstage. There is nothing he likes more than to empower people to make smart design decisions! Catch Signature Mike and his guests at 3:00 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on CBS Channel 12 WRDW on THE SIGNATURE MIKE SHOW for decorating tips and to see what is going on in building and home decor in our area!

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