Live vs. Artificial Plants: Choosing the Right Greenery for Your Indoor Space
At daun.com.my, we specialize in selecting and maintaining plants that thrive indoors. While we always recommend live plants for their indoor air-purifying and biophilic benefits, there are certain cases where artificial plants can play a supporting role.
However, with the increasing trend of artificial greenery, we want to caution against overusing plastic plants, as they do not contribute to improving indoor air quality. Let’s explore how to select the right plants for your space.
Why Live Plants Are Always Our First Choice
Live plants do more than just beautify a space—they actively improve indoor air quality and support overall well-being.
1. Improves Indoor Air Quality
- Live plants naturally filter harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are commonly found in furniture, paint, adhesives, and carpets.
- VOCs contribute to poor indoor air quality, leading to headaches, fatigue, and respiratory discomfort.
- At daun.com.my, we measure indoor air quality before and after adding plants to demonstrate their effectiveness in removing toxins.
2. Supports Biophilic Design
- Biophilic design is the practice of integrating nature into indoor environments to enhance well-being, productivity, and comfort.
- Studies show that indoor plants help reduce stress, improve focus, and create a more welcoming atmosphere.
3. Regulates Humidity and Temperature
- Indoor plants help balance moisture levels, preventing dry air caused by air conditioning.
- This can reduce discomfort such as dry skin, sore throats, and irritation from dust particles.
4. Creates a Dynamic and Vibrant Space
- Unlike artificial plants, which remain static, real plants grow, change, and bring natural movement to a space.
When Artificial Plants Can Be Useful
While live plants are always preferable, there are specific situations where artificial plants can play a supporting role:
Dark corners – Spaces with no access to natural light, such as under staircases.
High and hard-to-reach places – Areas like the tops of cabinets or ceiling-mounted planters where regular maintenance isn’t practical.
Temporary decorative displays – For short-term events or styling needs where live plants aren’t feasible.
Artificial plants should only be used sparingly to complement live plants, not replace them entirely.
Faux plants work best in dark corners (e.g., under staircases) and hard-to-reach spots (e.g., high cabinets) where live plants can’t thrive.
Why You Shouldn’t Overuse Artificial Plants
They Do Not Improve Indoor Air Quality – Unlike live plants, artificial plants do nothing to remove toxins or purify the air.
Plastic Off-Gassing – Some artificial plants release chemicals over time, adding to indoor air pollution instead of improving it.
No Biophilic Benefits – They do not support mental well-being the way live plants do.
No Humidity Control – Artificial plants do not regulate moisture, leading to dry, uncomfortable indoor environments.
Many people are placing artificial plants everywhere due to current trends, but breathing in plastic is not the same as breathing in fresh, purified air.
Our Expert Approach to Indoor Plant Selection
At daun.com.my, we carefully match plants to the available light and space so they thrive with minimal maintenance.
For low-light areas – We recommend live plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, and money plants, which require little sunlight.
For extremely dark or inaccessible spots – A few high-quality artificial plants may be considered, but only in moderation.
For spaces with VOC concerns – We provide indoor air quality testing to measure improvements after introducing live plants.
If you’re looking for the best balance between aesthetics, health, and practicality, let us help you design a lush, breathable indoor space that works for you.
Contact us today to learn more!
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