Artificial, preserved or dried:which one should you choose?

At Phocealys, we have made the bold and deliberate choice to offer the full spectrum of maintenance-free botanical solutions: artificial, preserved and dried. Why? Because each material, each texture, and each technology offers a unique experience and a distinctive finish that elevates your decorative projects. Understanding these three plant families opens the door to infinite creativity, relevant uses and perfectly adapted results: interior decoration, bouquet design, ephemeral scenography, jewellery or wreath creation, commercial window displays or outdoor decoration.

Let’s explore what each of these solutions can offer you.

Preserved plants: nature frozen in time

Preserved plants are 100% natural. Their sap is naturally replaced with a plant-based glycerin solution, stopping their evolution while maintaining their original suppleness, colour and texture. This preservation process delivers an impressively realistic appearance, with a lifespan of several years without any maintenance.

Benefits

• Ultra-natural look: texture, flexibility and colour true to the living plant.
• Durability: from 3 to 10 years depending on species and exposure conditions.
• Zero maintenance: no watering, no light, no care required.
• Indoor use: ideal for lounges, hotels, offices or retail corners.

Uses

The preserved range is ideal for high-end compositions, long-lasting green walls or scenographic installations with strong visual impact. It is also highly appreciated by architects and interior designers who want to bring nature into living spaces such as shopping malls, open spaces or restaurants. Preserved plants offer great versatility, suitable for XXL projects like large green walls or minimalist arrangements with refined bouquets.

Dried plants: rustic authenticity and timeless charm

Dried plants retain their structure and pigments thanks to carefully controlled dehydration and colouring processes. Although they are less flexible than preserved species, they stand out for their raw charm and poetic, natural aesthetic.

Benefits

• Strong aesthetic identity: natural textures, soft and delicate hues.
• Lightweight: easy to handle for delicate or mobile creations.
• Long lifespan: several years without maintenance.

Uses

Dried flowers and foliage are highly appreciated by artisans for the creation of bouquets, botanical jewellery, wedding crowns, decorative objects, or for designing bohemian, vintage or countryside atmospheres in window displays or event spaces.

Artificial plants: total freedom and high technicality

When natural constraints become too limiting, artificial plants offer a creative and functional solution. Thanks to technological progress, they now deliver an impressive visual and tactile realism while ensuring exceptional durability.

Benefits

• Aesthetic flexibility: controlled shapes, colours and textures for tailor-made results. Some finishes offer astonishing realism to both the eye and the touch.
• No usage constraints: resistant to heat, humidity and direct light.
• Extreme durability: more than 5 years without major alteration (with anti-UV treatment for prolonged outdoor use).
• Safety compliance: some models are fire-retardant to meet ERP, hotel or public building requirements.

Uses

Artificial plants are ideal for demanding outdoor projects, public spaces with strict regulations, or large-scale event decor: window displays, showrooms, TV sets, hotels, restaurants. They are also perfect for durable XXL visual effects without maintenance.

Complementarity: no need to choose—combine intelligently

Rather than opposing these three botanical solutions, Phocealys embraces a complementary and creative approach. Preserved, dried and artificial plants are not competitors but allies. Each range is designed to enhance the others rather than replace them.

Our rigorous sourcing from the best French, European and international producers allows us to offer a wide and thoughtful selection tailored to the needs of decoration professionals and demanding creators. From deep greens to powdered beiges, from matte textures to satin finishes, our collection covers a broad palette of colours and materials to match every creative intent.

Mixing materials allows you to play with visual contrasts, meet technical constraints (ERP norms, outdoor exposure, extreme conditions) and create dynamic, authentic and durable results. At Phocealys, we help you combine them with finesse, without ever compromising aesthetic quality or reliability.

The art of subtle blending

To illustrate this complementarity, here are some winning combinations:

• A green wall combining preserved ivy, artificial floral stems and a few preserved plants for added texture.
• A jewellery store window blending mini preserved foliage and pastel dried flowers for a romantic mood.
• A restaurant using a preserved plant logo at the entrance, dried bouquets on tables and artificial hanging plants for ceiling decor.

This hybrid approach maximises aesthetics, opens new creative perspectives and adapts to the specific requirements of each project.

Why choose Phocealys?

At Phocealys, we don’t just sell products. We provide a vision of decorative botanical design grounded in innovation, quality and field expertise:

• A meticulous selection of suppliers among the best in the market.
• Complementary product ranges designed to enhance one another.
• Personalised support, whether you are a decorator, landscaper or florist.

By offering every option, we give you the keys to free, uncompromising creation in terms of aesthetics, quality—and price. With a range designed for every use, every season and every space, you gain consistency, efficiency and visual impact. All with the Phocealys guarantee: smartly selected products, some of the lowest prices on the market, a committed team and expertise dedicated to your botanical ambitions.

Have a project, a technical constraint or a creative concept to develop?
Reach out to our team—we’ll guide you in choosing and combining the best botanical solutions to bring your ideas to life.