An artificial plant on the terrace or at the front door sounds appealing: always green, even in November. It's possible, but not with every plant. The difference lies in one thing, and it's not the weather most people expect.
Sun is the problem, not rain
Rain does little to an artificial plant. Frost doesn't either, as long as there's no water in the pot that can expand. What does cause damage is ultraviolet light. Sunlight breaks down the pigment in the leaves, and a plant that hasn't been UV-treated will fade from green to pale grey or yellowish-brown in just one summer season. This is irreversible.
That's why some of our trees explicitly state UV-resistant in their name. These have been treated to slow down that degradation. Our artificial trees without that label are intended for indoor use. If you put them outside, they won't break but they will discolour, and then the purchase is a waste.
Where an artificial plant is well-placed outdoors
The best spots are covered or partially shaded: under a veranda, in a porch, on a balcony with a balcony above it, or on the north side of the house. There, the plant receives hardly any direct sunlight and will last for years. A spot that is in full sun from morning to evening is the harshest environment there is, even with UV treatment.
Which of our trees can go outside
In our assortment, these are currently the artificial olive tree of 120 cm and the artificial olive tree of 170 cm, both designed to be UV-resistant. If you don't recognise that label on a product page, assume the tree is intended for indoors. We only include it if it's true, otherwise you'll buy something that won't be what it was after a summer.
The pot and the wind
An artificial tree weighs little, and that's a disadvantage outdoors. It will topple over with the first strong autumn wind. Weigh down the pot with paving slabs, gravel, or sand at the bottom, or choose a flower pot that is heavy enough to keep it in place. Also, make sure water can drain out: standing water that freezes is the only thing that genuinely damages an artificial plant outdoors.
Maintenance
Rinsing twice a year with a garden hose removes dust and pollen. Do not use a high-pressure cleaner, as it will blow off leaves. If you notice in winter that the leaves become somewhat stiff from the cold, leave them alone: they will recover naturally when the weather gets warmer.
In short
Artificial plants work outdoors, provided you arrange two things: UV-resistant material and a spot that isn't in full sun all day. If you do that, you'll have a green entrance or terrace corner that looks the same in February as it does in July. If you doubt whether a particular product is suitable, just email us. We'll be honest if it's not.