Real or Fake Plants: What’s Better for Your Airbnb?

When designing an Airbnb, every detail matters. From the furniture you choose to the artwork on the walls, each element contributes to the guest experience. One design choice many hosts overlook is whether to decorate with plants at all. And there there's the choice between real plants or artificial ones.

No doubt, we all feel it, plants can make a space feel warmer, more inviting, and more memorable. Ever wonder why? It's partly because we used to live outside. And even though we've evolved to live in urban areas, there's no fooling our evolution. And so bringing a piece of outside into our homes makes us feel calm and at home. And so the colour green in particular helps bring this feeling into a home. But when you're running a short-term rental, practicality also plays a role.

So, our opinion is that Airbnb should definitely bring some outside into their homes. The question is, do hosts use real plants or fake plants? The answer depends on your property, your hosting style, and how much maintenance you're willing to take on.

The Case for Real Plants

There’s no denying that real plants bring life and happiness into a space.

They add natural colour, improve the atmosphere, and can make a property feel more welcoming. Some even improve the air quality! For guests who appreciate thoughtful/ beautiful design (most humans--again an evolutionary thing we've come to appreciate), healthy plants often create a sense of comfort that artificial décor simply can't replicate.

Real plants can be especially effective in bright spaces with large windows, modern interiors, or properties that emphasize relaxation and wellness.

Many hosts also find that real greenery helps create better listing photos. A well-placed fiddle leaf fig, monstera, or pothos can instantly elevate the look of a room and make it stand out in search results.

However, real plants come with responsibilities.

They need regular watering, pruning, proper lighting and fertiziation/food. If a property sits vacant for extended periods or relies on cleaning crews between guests, plant care can easily be overlooked.

Dead or unhealthy plants can actually create a worse impression than having no plants at all. So consider whether you can take this responsibility on as a host.

The Benefits of Fake Plants

Artificial plants have come a long way in recent years. Haven't you noticed how life-like and beautiful they look? Gone are your grand parents fake-looking roses with those overly bring green plastic stems--so fake, am I right?

Now, high-quality faux plants can look remarkably realistic and provide many of the same visual benefits as live greenery. For busy hosts, they offer a major advantage: consistency.

Unlike real plants, fake plants don't require sunlight, watering schedules, or special care. They look the same whether you've had back-to-back bookings or your property has been empty for weeks. Just remember to continually dust them so dust doesn't accumulate and I like to spray a bit of room freshener on them.

They're also ideal for vacation rentals in locations with extreme temperatures, limited natural light, or seasonal occupancy.

Another benefit is durability. Guests can't accidentally overwater them, and cleaning staff don't need to worry about plant maintenance during turnovers.

The biggest drawback is that lower-quality artificial plants can sometimes look cheap or outdated. Guests may not consciously notice them, but they can subtly affect the overall feel of a space.

What Guests Actually Care About

Interestingly, most guests aren't choosing a property based on whether the plants are real or fake. Although having real plants would be nice, what guests notice more is whether the space feels clean, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed.

A healthy real plant can enhance a room. A realistic artificial plant can do the same. On the other hand, a dying plant with yellow leaves or a dusty fake plant can make the property feel neglected.

The key isn't necessarily choosing one option over the other—it's maintaining whatever you choose.

A Smart Compromise

Many experienced Airbnb hosts take a hybrid approach.

They use real plants in areas that receive plenty of natural light and are easy to maintain, while incorporating high-quality faux plants in challenging spaces like bathrooms, entryways, or darker rooms.

This strategy provides the natural beauty of live plants while minimizing maintenance demands.

To recap, when it comes to real versus fake plants, there isn't a single right answer for every Airbnb.

If you have the time and systems in place to care for live plants properly, they can add warmth and character to your rental. If convenience and consistency are priorities, quality artificial plants may be the better choice. Just choose ones that don't look overly fake!

Ultimately, guests remember how your space made them feel—not whether they were looking at a living monstera or a carefully chosen faux one. The best choice is the one that helps your property look fresh, inviting, and well cared for every day of the year. I'll share my top pics from Amazon here.