Eco Friendly Faux Flowers & Dried Blooms: Sustainable Decor That Lasts

Eco friendly faux flowers and dried blooms are increasingly popular as sustainable decor alternatives to fresh cut flowers, offering long-lasting beauty with far less environmental impact

By Bec Gregory

Winter can make interiors feel cosy, sure. But also…sad.

I really miss having the windows open, and fresh blooms in the house. And let’s face it: decorating with fake flowers is often downright cheap and ugly. Luckily, there are eco friendly faux flowers that we can now use to make our homes constantly summery!

It’s undoubtable that flowers and plants instantly warm up a room, add texture to a space, and bring a natural vibe that feels welcoming. But did you know that fresh cut flowers have a surprisingly large environmental footprint? They require water, pesticides, labour, often travel long distances, and then are discarded after days or weeks of display.

On the other hand, eco friendly faux flowers made from materials like silk, recycled fabrics, straw, or other more sustainable textiles, are much better for the planet. Unlike low-quality plastic blooms that end up in landfill, thoughtful faux flowers can be long-lasting, reusable, and a more environmentally conscious choice for décor enthusiasts. And of course, dried flowers, which can last for months, if not years, are even better, since they’re fully biodegradable.

Why Choose Eco Friendly Faux or Dried Flowers

Faux flowers have sometimes gotten a bad reputation for being “plastic” or cheap. But when you choose eco friendly faux or dried flowers, you’re making a different decision—one that prioritises durability and reuse over single-use fresh stems.

Here are a few benefits of choosing these decor pieces:

Long lifespan: These types of florals can be used year after year, at weddings, holidays, and seasonal décor. This reduces the waste associated with fresh flowers that wilt quickly.
Lower recurring environmental cost: Real flowers often travel long distances and require refrigeration, pesticides, and water—while a well-made faux or dried stem is shipped once and lasts indefinitely.
Minimal maintenance: Unlike living plants, you don’t need to water or care for faux blooms, making them ideal for busy homes or offices that lack consistent natural light.
Versatility: From silk peonies to straw daisies or cloth eucalyptus, these blooms come in shapes and styles that complement any decor scheme.

However, not all faux flowers are created equal. Many cheap options are made primarily from petroleum-based plastics that are not biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution. If eco impact matters to you, look for brands that use recycled fabrics, upcycled textiles, or more biodegradable materials.

Eco Friendly Faux Flowers vs. Dried Flowers: Pros and Cons

If you’re stuck choosing between faux or dried flowers, there are a few benefits and detriments to consider.

Eco Friendly Faux Flowers

Pros

Reusable for years
Unaffected by humidity or direct sun
Wide variety of shapes and colours

Cons

Not always fully biodegradable
Quality varies (cheap plastic still exists)

Dried Flowers

Pros

Biodegradable
Organic and unique
Often locally sourced

Cons

Fragile and shed
Colours may fade
Seasonal availability

Best Choice?

If your priority is zero plastic and full biodegradability, dried flowers win.

If you want durability and colour variety, high-quality faux flowers (especially recycled textiles or silk) are a better long-term option. Not sure where to find them? Read on!

Trusted Eco Friendly Faux & Dried Flower Sources

Below are reputable brands where you can find stylish faux flowers and plants that lean toward sustainability, quality, and longer life spans.

1. Afloral

Afloral carries a wide selection of faux flowers, plants and stems, and they aim to partner with vendors who use recycled fabrics, wires, and bio-mass plastics where possible. Their collections include silk flowers, recycled material stems, and seasonal botanicals suitable for any décor.

Why it’s eco friendly: Afloral’s sustainability focus includes using recycled content and partnering with ethical manufacturers to prioritise reuse and long life. We particularly love their dried flower arrangements!

2. Bloomist

While not strictly a mainstream brand with an online catalog like Afloral, the concept behind EcoFaux botanicals pushes the industry forward. These products are made from upcycled fabrics and materials recovered from waste streams instead of virgin plastics, reducing landfill contributions and embodied energy.

Why it’s eco friendly: Eco-driven faux florals demonstrate how sustainable materials (like recycled PET bottles or textile waste) can be transformed into beautiful décor, turning waste into something you keep and reuse.

3. FloristryWarehouse Eco Range

Though based outside the USA, products like the Eco Sustainably Produced Faux Silk Rose Spray are widely available online and shipped to the United States. Although it’s far from 100% perfect, at least they use recycled fabrics with up to 50% recycled plastic in the blooms, reducing reliance on new materials.

Why it’s eco friendly: You get lifelike faux stems made with significantly recycled content instead of pure petroleum-based plastics.

4. Terrain

Made from eco friendly materials such as cotton, silk, and recycled fabrics, Terrain’s eco friendly faux flowers are beautifully detailed. Every petal, stem and stamen is handcrafted to perfection.

Why it’s eco friendly: They specialise in using eco friendly fabrics.

5. Silk and Cloth Flowers From Quality Independent Makers

American fabric flower heritage goes back decades. For example, M&S Schmalberg is a longtime New York–based fabric flower supplier known for high-quality fabric blossoms used in décor and design.

Why it’s eco friendly: While not strictly “eco brand,” choosing quality cloth flowers from established textile makers extends the life and reusability of each piece far longer than cheap plastic options.

DIY Dried Blooms: How to Dry Your Own Flowers

If you want the most eco friendly floral decor possible, DIY dried blooms are hard to beat. Drying your own flowers eliminates packaging waste, reduces transport emissions, and allows you to work with flowers you already love — whether from your garden, a local market, or even gifted bouquets.

From a sustainability perspective, this is the lowest-impact option available.

Which Flowers Dry Best?

Not all flowers dry well. Interior designers know the best candidates have either low moisture content or sturdy petals that hold their shape.

Plants That Dry Beautifully

These are reliable, beginner-friendly choices:

Lavender
Statice (Limonium)
Strawflowers (Helichrysum)
Baby’s breath (Gypsophila)
Roses (especially garden roses)
Eucalyptus
Hydrangeas
Wheat and barley
Globe amaranth
Thistles

These varieties retain either their shape, colour, or texture — sometimes all three — making them ideal for boho arrangements.

When to Harvest Flowers for Drying

Timing matters more than most people realise.

Harvest just before full bloom, when petals are open but not soft
Cut flowers in the morning after dew has dried, but before midday heat
Avoid flowers that are already wilting or damaged

Healthier flowers dry better and last longer.

How to Dry Flowers: 2 Simple Methods

1. Air Drying

This is the easiest and most sustainable method.

How to do it:

Strip excess leaves from stems
Tie small bundles with string or rubber bands
Hang upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated space
Leave for 1–3 weeks

Best for:
Pampas grass, wheat, eucalyptus, lavender

Why it works:
Darkness preserves colour, airflow prevents mould.

2. Vase Drying

This method uses evaporation rather than suspension.

How to do it:

Place flowers upright in a vase
Add just 1–2 inches of water
Leave in a cool, shaded room
Let water evaporate naturally

Best for:
Hydrangeas, roses, straw flowers

Result:
Flowers keep their shape with a softer, vintage look.

Expert Styling Tips: Faux Flowers and Dried Blooms

1. Mix Faux With Dried

Experienced interior designers love to combine tall dried grasses with faux blooms for volume and texture. The dried stems give organic warmth while faux flowers give colour and structure.

2. Seasonal Switch-Outs

Use dried stems for autumn and winter, and faux flowers for spring and summer. This keeps decor fresh without waste.

3. Layer Textures

Combine cloth petals with natural straw or seed pods. Raw textures make arrangements feel intentional and earthy.

4. Use Reusable Vases and Bases

Choose neutral stone, glass, or wood vessels that coordinate with different stems throughout the year.

5. Refresh Occasionally

Dust faux and dried blooms with a soft brush or compressed air to keep them vibrant.

How to Care for Eco Friendly Faux Flowers and Dried Blooms

Faux Flowers

Dust regularly with a soft brush
Avoid long direct sunlight (fading)
Rotate arrangements to keep them fresh

Dried Flowers

Handle gently to prevent breakage
Keep out of damp, high-humidity areas
Use a light hairspray or floral sealant (optional) to reduce shedding

Conclusions

Decorating with eco friendly faux flowers and dried blooms allows you to bring the beauty of nature indoors without the ongoing waste and resource use of fresh cut flowers.

By choosing high-quality silk and recycled fabric flowers, natural straw or upcycled textile stems, and biodegradable dried flowers, you create decor that’s sustainable, beautiful, long lasting and low maintenance.

Whether mixed together for layered texture or used separately as striking focal pieces, these eco alternatives make floral décor more intentional and environmentally sound.

FAQs: Eco Friendly Faux Flowers and Dried Flowers

What are eco friendly faux flowers?

Eco friendly faux flowers are artificial blooms made from sustainable materials like recycled fabric, cloth, natural straw, or biodegradable fibres — alternatives to cheap plastic flowers.

Are dried flowers better for the environment?

Yes, dried flowers are fully natural and biodegradable, making them an excellent eco choice if sourced without heavy chemical preservatives.

How long do dried flowers last?

With proper care, dried flowers can last 1–3 years or more, though colours may soften over time.

Can faux flowers and dried blooms be used together?

Absolutely. Combining faux and dried stems adds depth, contrast, and longevity to arrangements.

Do faux flowers fade in sunlight?

Some may, especially lower-quality plastics. Silk and high-quality cloth flowers typically resist fading longer but should still be kept out of strong direct sun.

Are eco friendly faux flowers expensive?

They range in price. High-quality recycled or silk flowers cost more upfront but last years, making them cost-effective over time.

How should I care for dried flowers?

Keep them dry, dust them gently, and avoid high humidity to prevent mould or breakage.

Where can I buy eco friendly faux flowers in the USA?

Good sources include Afloral (faux flowers with recycled content), Bloomist (dried and eco stems), and Terrain (natural dried arrangements).

Author
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Bec Gregory

Based in Cheshire, Bec has over 20 years’ experience in the beauty and wellness industry. She holds a degree in Cosmetic Science from the world-renowned London College of Fashion. She is currently studying a master’s in journalism at the University of Derby. Her most recent projects explore spiritual life in Britain and the effects of female-centred spirituality on women's wellness. Follow her on Instagram here.