Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Home & LivingLifestyle
12 Sep 2026 • 12:40 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

As an interiors journalist, artificial flowers are one of my favourite decor staples. They bring elegance into any space, whether they’re offering a joyful splash of colour to a coffee table or some much-needed interest to a windowsill. Of course, these artificial blooms last indefinitely, too, and require no upkeep whatsoever, so they’re incredibly low maintenance.

I’ve been writing about all things homeware for the last five years, which means I know when a bunch looks realistic and when it’s clearly faux, and, importantly, which brands have mastered the art of creating convincing bouquets, from the petals to the greenery.

My top pick is the Fake It faux magnolia stem (£45, Fakeitflowers.co.uk) which, whether as a bouquet or an individual stem, brings elegance and drama to the space. Below, I’ve chosen the best artificial flowers with my honest thoughts on each, to help you invest in the best for your home.

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I assessed a range of faux blooms in my own home, to find out which ones looked the most realistic (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The best artificial flowers for 2026 are:

  • Best overall – Fake It faux magnolia stem: £45, Fakeitflowers.co.uk
  • Best budget buy – Dunelm artificial wildflower bouquet: £7, Dunelm.com
  • Best artificial hydrangeas – Cotswold Company pink hydrangea: £8, Cotswoldco.com
  • Best for weddings – La Redoute artificial tulip, rose, and eucalyptus bouquet: £34.99, Laredoute.co.uk

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Fake It faux magnolia stem

Rating: 4.5/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial flowers overall

Why we love it

  • Soft petals
  • Striking shape
  • Durable
  • Easy to clean

Take note

  • Expensive

For those looking to bring hotel-style luxury into their space, the Fake It faux magnolia stems were the best artificial flowers I tried. During testing, I found just three of these stems added real drama, even when placed against white walls. However, if you are living in a small space, just one of these in a slimline vase would still make an impact.

Despite the petals being soft and delicate to touch, they are remarkably robust (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The petals look realistic thanks to the varying tones of cream and ivory. Despite the petals being soft and delicate to touch, they were remarkably robust when cleaned with a duster and a damp cloth. The stems are on the expensive side if you’re looking to create a full bouquet.

Key specifications:

Buy now £45, Fakeitflowers.co.uk

Dunelm artificial wildflower bouquet

Rating: 4.5/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: budget artificial flowers

Why we love it

  • Fun and colourful display
  • Quick to clean

Take note

  • Slightly flimsy compared with some other options
  • Not the most realistic

Dunelm’s artificial wildflower bouquet is the most budget-friendly flower on this list, with a full bundle of blooms costing less than £10. The vivid pinks, blues, and purples add a delightful pop of colour, particularly in smaller areas such as on a coffee table or windowsill.

You may want to buy a few bunches, to create a larger display (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

Despite being short, when untied, they fill out all kinds of vases easily – I imagine a couple more bundles would create a spectacular display.

While I like the bright colours, those wanting a more realistic bouquet might not like the design. Plus, the flowers and stems are less durable than others on this list. But they’re an affordable way to inject some colour into your home.

Key specifications:

Buy now £7, Dunelm.com

Best and Bloom Aisha bouquet

Rating: 5/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial flower bouquet

Why we love it

  • Chic and versatile
  • Realistic look
  • Easy to clean
  • Robust

Take note

  • Stems are on the sharp side

For a full bouquet, opt for Best and Bloom’s Aisha. The price may be on the expensive side, but considering it lasts much longer than a regular bouquet, I think it is worth it. The bouquet comes wrapped in plastic and tied in ribbon and twine, giving a gorgeous opening-the-box experience and making it a great option if you’re looking for a gift.

The neutral colours will suit a wide range of interiors (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The soft yet robust flowers withstood plenty of cleaning during testing, and the leaves look the most realistic out of all the bouquets and flower stems tested.

The entire bouquet looked spectacular in a range of vases, from glass to ceramic. My only mild critique is that the stem nubs are a little sharp, which is something to keep in mind when moving or arranging the blooms.

Key specifications:

Buy now £105, Bestandbloom.com

Cotswold Company pink hydrangea

Rating: 4/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial hydrangeas

Why we love it

  • Luxe look without the hefty price tag
  • Easy to clean

Take note

  • Leaves bend easily
  • Tricky to arrange

With touches of pink, purple and white, and plenty of texture, these faux hydrangeas are stunning. Without the leaves and stems – which aren’t quite as detailed as the petals – they most certainly pass as real (the only giveaway is that they give off no scent). They also added serious sophistication wherever I placed them.

You may need to trim the stems to get these faux blooms to fit neatly in a vase (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

I found the long stems harder to arrange in some vases, but you could always trim them to make arranging easier. While simple enough to clean, the leaves do bend easily while moving and cleaning.

Key specifications:

Buy now £8, Cotswoldco.com

La Redoute artificial tulip, rose, and eucalyptus bouquet

Rating: 4/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial wedding flowers

Why we love it

  • Comes with a vase
  • Simple to clean

Take note

  • Tulips don't look overly realistic
  • Petals bend easily

I think this bouquet would be perfect for weddings, with its farmhouse style and peach, white, and cream colours. This bouquet also comes with a vintage-style churn vase, making it excellent value for money. However, I did test it in other vases, and it still kept its shape wonderfully.

A careful touch is required when cleaning these delicate blooms (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

Despite being a bouquet, the petals and leaves are quite big, making them easy to wipe clean. However, this size also means they bend easily – and continue to stay creased, too, so a careful touch is required.

Key specifications:

Buy now £34.99, Laredoute.co.uk

West Elm faux white blossom bundle

Rating: 3.5/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial blossom

Why we love it

  • Realistic
  • Stylish

Take note

  • Delicate
  • Tricky to clean

West Elm’s faux white blossom bundle looks and feels like a premium arrangement, with textured stems and leaves and small cream blossoms. I also liked the fact that they came as an arrangement, rather than as single stems (unlike some of the other high-tier flowers on this list).

The stems are a lofty 102cm in height (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The neutral design lends itself perfectly to different interior styles, making a statement in a refined way. The only real disappointment was how easily the flowers fell off while cleaning – something I wouldn’t expect at this price point. It also isn’t the most suitable for windowsills, with the stems being very tall at 102cm in height.

Key specifications:

Buy now £199, Westelm.co.uk

Blooming Artificial meadow bunch

Rating: 4.5/5

Image from: Best artificial flowers that look real, reviewed by an interiors editor

Best: artificial flowers for a pop of colour

Types of faux flowers: Poppy, cosmo, cornflower, gypsophilia, blossom, cow parsley

Height: 50cm

Why we love it

  • Serious cottagecore vibes

This colourful bunch is a perfect pick for anyone wanting a natural-looking bouquet with serious cottagecore vibes. Featuring faux poppy, cosmo and cornflower stems, alongside gypsophila, blossom, and cow parsley, it’s an eye-catching mix that brings the summer meadow aesthetic indoors. The blend of red, white and blue tones, along with varied textures, creates an airy, relaxed vibe that feels both fresh and inviting. While it may not have the scent of real flowers, its lifelike quality (there are even tiny hairs on the leaves) offers long-lasting beauty, making it an easy and stylish addition to any space.

This bunch is out of stock but you can sign up to be notified when it’s back.

Key specifications:

Written by Ali Howard

Buy now £40, Bloomingartificial.co.uk

Your questions on artificial flowers answered

What are the best artificial flowers?

For those looking to make a statement with a premium, design-led option, the Fake It faux magnolia stem is the best artificial flower, with a striking height, elegance and realistic petals. For those wanting a more budget-friendly option, the Dunelm artificial wildflower bouquet brings a cheerful pop of colour at a fraction of the price.

How I tested artificial flowers

Over a month, I assessed each artificial flower on a series of criteria, including:

How to clean artificial flowers

Throughout the month of testing, I used a small duster and a damp cloth to clean the flowers, making sure not to use anything with chemicals to not damage the materials. “We recommend using a hairdryer on a cool setting once a month to gently blow away any dust that has settled on the petals,” says Rachel Dunn, head of product at The Faux Flower Company. “This is especially important for white and lighter-coloured flowers, as dust and marks tend to show up more clearly on pale blooms.” If there is a visible mark, a damp cloth can often be enough to remove it, but it is important to be gentle and avoid rubbing too hard – particularly on delicate stems.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

Eve Smallman has been an interiors editor since 2021. After working in-house as a content editor for Real Homes, she now writes for Homes and Gardens and House Beautiful, along with IndyBest testing everything from beanbags to deckchairs. Her extensive experience has given her a true sense of style, as well as the ability to scout out quality products and test them to their limits. Her reviews reflect her real-world experience of using each product, and she’ll only recommend the homeware, furniture and accessories that she believes are worth the investment.

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