I'm living proof that the old adage suggesting that one should get a plant and a pet before having a baby is terrible advice. While my 2-year-old is thriving, I've had much less success keeping my plants alive. Despite my black thumb rap sheet, I got sucked into the vortex of the fiddle leaf fig tree trend. I blame it on the gigantic leaves and all of the Instagram conditioning — they make every room look better, right?
After nearly a year of obsessive plant nurturing behavior that included dusting its leaves, bathing it in our bathtub, and leaving the curtains drawn before heading out to work (for optimal light exposure), I began to notice brown spots. After the brown spots arrived, the leaves began to slowly fall. I panicked, which didn't help the situation. I watered less, then watered more. I moved the plant from one spot to the next. I pruned (with kitchen scissors, but still). And at rock bottom, I ripped off the few remaining leaves while releasing a warrior cry. We were over.
Then one night while Instagram scrolling, I stumbled across a comment thread where a blogger generously confessed to having a fake fig tree. I began to skim the comments section every time I spotted a fiddle leaf fig tree, and guess what? So many people were admitting to the faux tree route and sharing sources!
After comparing prices, reviews, and pictures, I finally pulled the trigger on the Faux Fiddle-Leaf Fig Plant ($130) from Cost Plus World Market. With 95 reviews averaging almost five stars, I figured it was a risk worth taking. It also has a taller Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree ($180) with more of a top-heavy shape.
Faux Fiddle-Leaf Fig Plant $130 from worldmarket.com Buy Now Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree $180 from worldmarket.com Buy Now 
I like that you can bend the branches and leaves to achieve your desired shape. I love that I can place it in a stylish pot without worrying about drainage holes. Never mind drainage holes, I'm happy that I never have to water it.
While you can certainly tell it's a fake if you're inspecting it up close, I've realized that people who come to my home aren't examining my plants with that level of scrutiny anyway. And even if they did, who cares? It makes the space feel lively and fresh, and with real plants sprinkled around the room, it blends right in. If you're looking for a no-maintenance solution that delivers beautiful results, give this faux fiddle leaf a try!
