Stylish Fake Plants: Safe For a Pet-Safe Beautiful Home

Any pet parents would know the plight of having to rush their furry pals to the vet for eating what they aren’t supposed to, including house plants. Sometimes, just sniffing a toxic plant or chewing off a flower is enough to land your pet in the ER. That’s why, more and more people are now switching to pet-friendly faux plants and flowers.

NotCly do the artificial options for real plants uplift the overall look of your house, but also keep your pets out of danger. Luckily, there are plenty of options for faux house plants today, perfectly mimicking a real plant. While it may not appeal to people with green thumb so much, pet parents have given this alternative a thumbs up.

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However, we can’t overlook the dangers of low-quality artificial plants, which aren’t entirely safe to have around your pets. Unfortunately, the faux plant industry isn’t globally regulated and one wrong choice can cost your pet’s safety. In this blog, we discuss numerous option for pet-friendly plants, their benefits, as well as the safety of your furry companions, which is always a priority.

Table of contents

• Are faux plantssafe for pets?
• How to tell safe faux plants and toxic artificial plants apart
• The Big Benefits of Going Faux
• Real dangers of live plants and flowers
• Pet-friendly faux plants to the rescue
• Chic ways to decorate with faux plants and flowers

Are faux plants safe for pets?

Modern faux plants or artificial plants, unlike their silk and plastic predecessors, consist of several realistic features, such as lifelike texture, colors and even fake soil for an authentic appearance. They mimic a variety of plants, requiring little to no maintenance.

Although animal lovers are advised to keep artificial plants in homes with pets, safety isn’t always guaranteed. While high-quality faux plants adhere to strict safety regulations, such as RoHS compliance, low-quality ones may contain harmful substances, which are unsafe for children and pets.

Therefore, you must always pick fake plants that are free from BPA, formaldehyde and phthalates, so your pet is safe when it licks or sniffs it. Experts recommend against low-grade plastic plants, which are known to release volatile organic compounds when exposed to heat. You should also consider picking artificial plants without parts that can detach easily to avoid choking hazards.

How to tell safe faux plants and toxic artificial plants apart

Sometimes, safe faux plants and toxic faux plants look alike, making it impossible to tell them apart. However, there are numerous ways to identify whether a certain fake plant is safe or not. It all comes down to The Toxic Ten and The Safe Six.

The Toxic Ten

Low-quality faux plants which don’t meet the safety standards consist of dangerous chemicals and substances known as Toxic Ten.
 
1. Lead – Used to stabilize pigments in dyes, lead is highly toxic for the nervous system.

2. Cadmium – Mainly used in coloring plastic, it is a carcinogen linked to cancer and kidney failure.

3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – VOCs are toxic substances released as gases when a fake plant heats up, causing long-term health problems or affecting the respiratory system.

4. Formaldehyde – Another carcinogen used in adhesives and dyes and exposure to which can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues. It’s all the more dangerous in enclosed spaces.

5. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) – Linked to hormone disruption and reproductive issues, BFRs are found in low-quality plastics. Parents are strictly advised to keep fake plants with this substance away from children and pets as that is especially vulnerable.

6. Mercury – Sometimes present in pigments, mercury can damage the kidney and cause cancer.

7. Formaldehyde – This chemical used in adhesives and coatings, is believed to be an irritant and probable carcinogen.

8. Arsenic – Present in pigments and finishes, arsenic is toxic and carcinogenic.

9. Phthalates – These are commonly used as plastics softeners or to make artificial plants moldable. However, their use is linked to hormone imbalances and development issues in children.

10. Chlorine Compounds – Chlorine compounds are found in cheap PVC plastics and can release harmful gases when exposed to heat.

The Safe Six

Whereas, The Safe Six are qualities that make a faux plant pet-friendly and even safe to keep in homes with pets.

1. RoHS compliance – Any artificial plant that complies with European RoHS standards is considered safe and free from hazardous substances like lead, mercury or cadmium that you find in low-quality faux plants.

2. Independent testing – High-quality plants undergo testing by internationally recognized certified bodies such as SGS to ensure they meet the safety regulations. However, these tests are expensive, and cost anywhere between $15,000 to $20,000. So most manufacturers skip it.

3. Non-toxic stabilizers – High-quality faux plants are also free of harmful chemicals or addictive and instead consist of safe alternatives for UV stabilization and color retention, preventing release of toxins. 

4. Low off-gassing – High-quality faux plants are specifically designed to resist releasing harmful fumes or gases, which make them ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

5. Pet and child-safe materials – Most importantly, artificial plants that pass the above test and consist of these materials free from toxic addictive are ideal for homes with pets and children.

6. Longevity – High-quality faux plants undergo intense testing, which make sure they withstand external elements and last longer than poor quality alternatives.

The Big Benefits of Going Faux

Not only are good quality faux plants safe for your pets, but they also boast several added benefits that makes them a great décor option, both indoor and outdoor.
 
Realistic appearance and flexibility – Faux plants are specifically created to mimic a real plant. They look and feel like live plants, naturally enhancing the overall appeal of your space, without warranting much upkeep.

Whether it’s for regular display or for special occasions, the options are plenty. For instance, if you feel a real Christmas tree is a tad much to handle but celebrations are incomplete without one, there are plenty of artificial tree options to easily replace them.
The GARVEE 4ft artificial cedar topiary trees with 100 lights and 8 light modes gives serious competition to any real tree, that too for a reasonable price as less as $89.99. Made of high quality PE material, it consist of delicate and lifelike tree branch and leaves
Meanwhile, its two-pack combination is easy to move around and suitable for a variety of settings.
 
Low Maintenance – Although keeping real plants can be therapeutic, it takes a lot of maintenance to keep them alive and thriving. But faux plants require little to no care. An artificial plant is a great addition to your home or office, if you don’t have the energy or time to care for live plants. The maintenance-free design ensures you don’t have to worry about watering, pruning or keeping in the sunlight.

The Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree by GARVEE is one such item you must have in your collection of easy maintenance faux plants. Standing at 7ft, the nursery planter can instantly light up your home or office. Or, you can present it to your loved ones as a housewarming gift.

Versatility – Not all real plants thrive indoor and outdoor. While some grow in shade, others can’t do without sunlight. But you needn’t have to worry about this when dealing with an artificial plant, which is versatile in its placement.
 
Windowless rooms, basements or even offices with poor lighting, nothing really matters if you are a parent to a faux plant. If you’re in the lookout for artificial plants with flowers that can naturally blend in the outdoor or indoor setting, we have just the option for you.
The GARVEE 4ft Artificial Bougainvillea Tree looks as real as its live counterpart and it only costs you $59.99. The faux tree features delicate pink flowers and sprawling green leaves, to enhance the aesthetics of your home or garden. Furthermore, it’s built to withstand extreme weather conditions. So you can expect it to last through different seasons.
 
Customizable – Imagine if you could choose the type of flowers and number of leaves you want in your house plant? That’s just one of the many benefits of a customizable faux plant. With an artificial plant, you have the option to assemble it to your liking.

The GARVEE Artificial Bird of Paradise 7ft Plant is perfect as a décor thanks to the flexibility it comes with. Every part of the plant is made of retardant and safe materials, which makes it safe to keep around pets. Meanwhile, the pre-assembled Bird of Paradise plant is easy to assemble. You can arrange different-size leaves to your preference to create a look that you desire.  The branches, equipped with sturdy metal wires, can also be adjusted to any shape of your liking.

Eco-Friendly Choices – Fake plants that have passed quality checks are also eco-friendly. These plants are built to last years, which means they require fewer replacements and less plastic waste. Better manufacturers also use non-toxic plastic, which is recyclable and minimizes harmful chemical exposure.

Unlike some real plants that need a lot of water, fertilizers and pesticides to grow and thrive, artificial plants are good on their own. So, you will be cutting down on water use and energy consumption over a prolonged time.

Real dangers of live plants and flowers

It would be heartbreaking to watch your pet get sick from eating or smelling a house plant. Our furry companions are notorious for doing just that. So it’s the utmost priority of pet parents to keep their dear animals safe.

Sadly, real plants, most of which are safe for humans, are highly toxic for dogs, cats and other pets.

While lilies are a favorite among humans, these beautiful flowers are dangerous for pets. Ingesting just a small amount of this can cause lily poisoning in your furry babies, leading to vomiting, diarhhea, drooling and other serious health issues. If left untreated for more than 24 hours, your cat can suffer a kidney damage that can be fatal. 

Similarly, dogs are extremely vulnerable to toxic effects of sago palm upon ingestion. Consuming just a small amount can fail their liver.

Plants that hold medicinal values for humans or flowers used as ornamentals, like Aloe Vera and Poinsettia, are best kept away from your pets, as they are unpopular for triggering diarrhea, nausea and lethargy in pets.

Pet-friendly faux plants to the rescue

Naughty pets aren’t safe around fake plants also, if left unsupervised. However, the risks from these are few compared to real plants. The most common issue would stem from your dog chewing on artificial leaves, branches or stems – leading to an ER visit or medical intervention.

But the artificial plants don’t hurt your pets if they just sniff them, provided you’ve bought high-quality pet-friendly faux plants and flowers from a trusted manufacturer or seller. On the flip side, they are as props in your pet photoshoots or just a safe décor to have in a home with animals.

Chic ways to decorate with faux plants and flowers

As well as being a pet-friendly option, faux plants also make for best home decors, provided you know where to place them. Artificial plants with flowers imitating live ones, often treated as design icons, can instantly enhance the aesthetics of your office space. We’ve shared some ways you can use artificial plants and flowers to style any space you desire.

Living rooms – Because the living room is the most-visited part of any house, a tall faux fiddle leaf fig or a bird of paradise in a chic basket planter can become an instant focal point.

Coffee table or shelf – A low arrangement of artificial succulents or orchids in a stone bowl makes any coffee table look stylish and sophisticated. Similarly, an ivy or pothos with books, candles and sculptures is all it takes to make a boring shelf look edgy.

Dining areas – Faux hydrangea or peony bouquets in a glass vase are one of the most popular artificial plants for the dining area. If you want your home décor to be in theme with the changing seasons, you can simply swap the flowers – like tulips in spring or sunflowers in summer.

Bedrooms – Bedrooms often require a minimalist touch of artificial plants, like a faux eucalyptus arrangement, for calm vibes. You can place it on the nightstand or dressing table, as it takes barely any space. More decorative options include a faux floral wreath as a wall décor, or artificial vines subtly draped across the headboard.

Kitchen – A kitchen could always use some artificial plants to feel warm. While faux basil, rosemary and lavender in terracotta pots on countertops add a farmhouse touch, a hanging green, such as artificial vines, brings warmth.

All in all, faux plants can be a great addition to your home or office, but one wrong choice can cause serious health complications in your pet and children. Therefore, picking high-quality artificial plants from a trusted manufacturer is key to safe and stylish space. Not only are they attractive, but fake plants also boast numerous benefits compared to a live plant.

So, why settle for dull and plastic-looking imitations of real plants when you can enjoy the beauty of nature all year long, without having to worry about maintenance? GARVEE’s premium artificial plants are crafted to look and feel just like a real plant, at an affordable cost without compromising your pet’s safety.  


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