Artificial Ferns… Never Say Never
My Porch Decorating Confession
For years I always said I would never use artificial ferns on my porch. Real Boston ferns were just part of my summer routine, even though they needed lots of watering and attention. But as I get a little farther along in my retirement years, I’ve started rethinking some of those firm “never” decisions. This season I decided to try artificial ferns in my porch planters — and honestly, I was surprised at how much I liked them.
A Wholesale Opportunity
Last week I had the chance to go with Carrie to visit one of the wholesale vendors, and that’s really what made this little experiment possible. Honestly, if I had been paying full retail price for artificial ferns, I probably would have stood there debating the decision a lot longer. But at wholesale pricing, I was able to buy enough to really fill my porch planters — three ferns in each pot — and that made a big difference in how full and natural they looked. These were especially nice quality ferns made from a blend of plastic and polyester, with several shades of green that reminded me of the fresh new growth you see on real Boston ferns.
Securing the Ferns in the Pots
My porch pots are very large, and for years my routine has been simple — each spring I would just set new plastic pots of real Boston ferns down inside them. I finally gave up trying to carry the ferns through the winter. Between the mess, the dropped leaves, and even damaging a wood floor from water spills, it just became easier to start fresh each year. The artificial ferns worked in much the same way. I was able to arrange them inside the large containers until they looked full and natural, without worrying about soil, drainage, or watering.
Adding Extra Support
Because my porch pots are very large, I quickly realized the stems on the artificial ferns were not quite long enough to anchor them securely down inside the containers. The pots were already filled with dirt, and I really didn’t want to go through the trouble of removing all of that just to add Styrofoam or another base. Since these pots sit on the outside porch where they are exposed to wind and the weather, I also didn’t want my newly purchased faux ferns blowing across the yard on a breezy day.
My simple solution was to buy a package of inexpensive wooden dowels from Walmart. I cut the dowels in half and used zip ties to attach them to the fern stems, creating an extension that allowed me to push the plants deeper into the soil. It may not be a forever solution — the wood will likely rot over time — but by then the ferns may be ready to replace anyway.
Finishing the Pots
Once the artificial ferns were secured in place, I filled the pots to the brim with some wood shavings we already had on hand. Mulch or pine straw would have worked just as well. It was nice to complete this little porch project without having to make another trip to town for supplies. The filler helped hold the faux ferns steady and also gave the containers a more finished, natural look, They really are very similar to the way my real Boston ferns have looked in past summers.
So… Will Artificial Ferns Become My New Normal?
I have to admit — the artificial ferns turned out better than expected on the porch. Three bushes went into each pot, which gave them a nice full look. Fewer probably would have worked if the containers had been smaller. However, the extra volume really made a difference in how finished and realistic they appear.
Will I switch to artificial ferns every year now? I honestly don’t know. I’m going to give these a try this season and see how they hold up to sun, wind, and everyday life on the porch. I’ve learned that I’m a little more open to trying new things these days — even the things I once said I would never do.
It reminds me of those big inflatable yard decorations at Christmas. For years I said there was no way I would ever have one in my yard. Then the grandchildren came along… and suddenly it was, “You want a reindeer and a snowman? Well sure! Let’s get Santa too.”
Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself — and give something new a chance.
Where to Find Similar Artificial Ferns
I wasn’t able to find the exact same artificial ferns after that shopping trip, but I did come across some similar Boston-style faux ferns on Amazon. If you’re thinking about trying artificial ferns for your own porch or outdoor pots, I’ll share my Amazon affiliate link below to a comparable option.
Artificial Boston Ferns from Amazon
