The Most Realistic Faux Garlands for 2023
Think realistic faux garlands don't exist? Think again. I used to be a skeptic, too. Not anymore. If you are like me and are only interested in faux greenery that looks super real, then this is the post for you. I did a ton of research before I started buying artificial garlands a couple of years ago. Today I'm sharing the highest-rated most realistic artificial garlands, including the faux cedar garlands and Norfolk pin garlands that I personally own and love. You won't believe how lifelike these garlands look – it's like having the real thing but without any watering or shedding!
I know, I know. It's only October so why are we talking about the best faux garland?! Because y'all, the good stuff sells out QUICKLY. I learned this the hard way last year.
And if you are picturing the super fake greenery and garland that you may have seen your parents decorate with, you are in for a surprise! Artificial garland has come a long way friends.
I have to admit that I didn't embrace faux garlands until 2 years ago. And I wish I had done it so much sooner. I want you to be able to get your hands on gorgeous faux garlands this year, hence this post in October. Let's dive in, shall we?
What to Consider When Shopping for Artificial Garland
There are a few important considerations I want to mention before I share my favorite garland options.
I've made you a video where I SHOW you the two artificial garlands I personally own and love and talk about some of the most important things to consider. It's only 3 minutes long. You can watch it below.
- The best faux garlands sell out QUICKLY and EARLY. Don't say I didn't warn you. This is why you can't find any on post-Christmas clearance, which is a bummer.
- This list may be shorter than some others you find out there, but that is for a reason! I think most of the other lists out there are over-inclusive. I've included only those garlands I think are worth the investment (and yes, good faux garland is most definitely an investment).
- Look for “realistic touch” or “soft-touch plastic” garlands whenever possible. Not only do they feel real, but the way they drape and hang is also realistic because they are nice and heavy (just like REAL fresh garland).
- Avoid garland that has stiff wire in it that you have to “fluff” to make it look full. I have some of this garland that I purchased many years ago, don't get me wrong. But now that I have discovered the real-touch options, I would never, ever buy garland with stiff wire it in again.
- The most realistic faux garlands are pricey. There's just no way around it. I absolutely consider these investment pieces. That's why I didn't buy a single high-quality faux garland until I was 43 years old. These just wouldn't have been in the Christmas decor budget when we were younger. Even now, we will only invest in 2 or 3 garlands a year until we have all that we want. But I feel confident these garlands will be passed down to our girls and even our grandchildren. They are THAT GOOD.
- Because they are pricey, keep your eyes peeled for sales and act quickly when they pop up! But if you are hoping to get some on clearance after Christmas is over, don't bother. Believe me, I TRIED to find good ones on clearance last year. Didn't happen. And I am the queen of being able to find deals after Christmas.
Okay, with those important considerations out of the way, let's take a look at what I think are the best/most realistic artificial garlands available. I've broken them down into two sections: 1) faux cedar garlands and 2) faux pine garlands.
Best Faux Cedar Garlands
Faux Soft Touch Cedar Garland
These faux cedar garlands are my absolute favorite, y'all. I first discovered them two years ago. They are made of SOFT plastic–they are soft and pliable in your hands. And I swear they weigh just as much as fresh greenery. All that realistic weight makes them hang and drape like real greenery. They are sooooooo realistic. I cannot sing their praises enough. (PS- You can learn more about the lanterns in my DIY Magical Christmas Lanterns post–they light up at night!)
I only bought 2 of them when I first discovered them in 2021, but I hunted them down online and ordered 4 more last year. I hung them on our updated stair railing and above our bed last year.
Real Touch Cedar and Hemlock Garland
Though I have not personally tried this version, it has 12,000+ 5-star reviews, so it feels like a very safe investment. Like the faux cedar garlands I have, these are made from the same “real-touch” material which is what I love about them so much!
Real Touch Cedar Holiday Greens Garland from Afloral
Afloral also offers another very popular faux cedar garland. I have not personally tried this one, but I am very impressed with Afloral's faux garlands in general (I have the faux Norfolk Pine garland which I'll share later in this post), so again, I feel confident this is a pretty good investment.
Faux Cedar Garland from Terrain
Last but not least is this stunning artificial cedar garland from Terrain. This is a favorite among influencers whose Christmas decor is greatly admired! Isn't it beautiful on Finding Lovely's banister? It doesn't look as full and thick as the faux cedar garlands we use, but I do love the deeper green color.
Best Faux Pine Garlands
Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland from Afloral
I invested in a few of these artificial Norfolk Pine garlands last year and I am VERY happy with them. In fact, you can see me unwrapping them and checking them out for the first time in the video I included in this post. Since then, I've been even more impressed.
They are very, very realistic. And they are nice and heavy, which I think is an absolute must for an artificial garland to look realistic–after all, real pine garland is heavy! I ordered the 180″ length and I hung them in the cased opening of our dining room last year (if you are confused–I hung our faux cedar garlands in this spot in 2021, but last year I hung this Real Touch Norfolk Pine Garland in this spot).
You may notice that they aren't as thick and full as our faux cedar garlands, but that's due to the difference between cedar and Norfolk pine–it's not due to a difference in quality. These are just as impressively made. I'm bummed I don't have a better photo of them from last year :(
Norfolk Pine Natural Touch Garland from Kirklands
This seems to be another favorite of artificial garland enthusiasts out there. And I have to say, the price point is great (especially when they are on sale like right now). And the reviews are IMPRESSIVE.
Faux Hemlock Pine Pre-Lit Garland from Crate and Barrel
I included this one because there are some big fans of it out there and it does look pretty. But FYI, while the ratings are incredibly high, there aren't a ton of them. That would make me a bit more reluctant to try this one over some of the other options. But it does look beautiful and promising, so I included it for you.
Before I sign off, I wanted to share my thoughts on the good and bad of faux garlands, since they aren't for everyone.
Pros and Cons of Artificial Garlands
No Mess, No Stress– Unlike natural garlands, artificial ones don't shed so you won't have to worry about constant clean-ups. And you can store them without stressing about them getting damaged (which has not been my experience with preserved greenery).
Long-Lasting– High-quality, artificial garlands should stay beautiful for decades, which can save you money over the long term. Even lesser-quality garlands should last several seasons and save you from buying fresh garlands every year.
Allergies– If you or anyone in your household (dogs included) is allergic to evergreens, artificial garlands are a wonderful alternative.
Easy-to-store– We drape ours over a rod in our attic. So easy! But even if you need to wind yours up and put them in a bin, they should be fine! You don't have to baby them or worry about them getting damaged the way you do with preserved greenery (we have preserved boxwood wreaths that are total divas, lol).
Artificial garlands aren't perfect. There are a few downsides, in my opinion.
Watch Out for Quality- As I mentioned earlier in this post, not all artificial garlands are created equal. Some may look cheap or overly plastic, so be careful when you select yours. We once ordered an inexpensive artificial garland for the exterior of our old house. In the photos, it looked full and gorgeous. When it arrived it was sparse, flat, and a flat green color with no variation. It was AWFUL.
Cost– Again, the most realistic faux garlands are not inexpensive so the up-front cost is a big factor (even if you wind up saving money over the long term).
Not eco-friendly– An argument could be made that by reusing artificial garlands, you're helping to reduce waste and save trees. But they aren't bio-degradable and they are mass-produced so I'm thinking they aren't great for the environment, which isn't awesome.
No scent– If you love the smell of fresh evergreen like me, you will miss it. I figured this out very quickly. My solution is to cut some fresh branches from the evergreen trees in our yard and put them in vases around the house. Works like a charm and it's free!
I hope this post has filled you with inspiration and excitement about finding some GORGEOUS artificial garland that you love and will last for generations! I hope I have convinced you that finding incredibly realistic greenery for the holidays is absolutely possible. I wished I had realized it sooner, but better late than never!
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Thank you for the article! Loved the ones I got,(nordfolk pine natural touch) How do you storage this garlands? The stem it’s pretty tough to fold them. Thank you!
Hi Mari! We drape ours over a pipe in the ceiling of our attic, lol! Works great!