How to Make Target’s Faux Fiddle Leaf Figs Look Real

Quick update from a sunny Saturday: Target currently has convincing faux fiddle leaf figs by Threshold. They caught my eye, so I bought a few to test how believable they could look in a real home. Here’s what I learned and how to make them look natural and polished.

Three initial impressions:

1. Price looks high at first glance. The larger model is about $99 and the smaller one about $55, though I’ve heard they’ve been on sale at times.
2. In-store lighting makes them appear unnaturally bright. Under Target’s fluorescent lights they can look neon green, which is off-putting until you bring them home.
3. Pots are undersized and the base can look fake. The plastic “soil” and the exposed stem at the base are giveaways straight from the box.

Despite those drawbacks, they’re an excellent starting point. With a few easy tweaks you can make them look surprisingly realistic—especially in bright rooms or spaces where a real fiddle leaf fig would be high-maintenance.

Simple steps to transform them

1. Re-pot into a larger planter. Using a proportionally larger pot immediately solves the odd base scale and hides the fake soil. I used affordable white Ikea planters, which also make the arrangement look fuller and more intentional.
2. Adjust stems and leaves for a natural silhouette. The stems often arrive tightly packed and too straight. Gently bending, twisting, and spreading leaves gives the plant a more irregular, organic shape.
3. Place them in natural light to correct color. Away from store fluorescents, the color settles and looks much more like a real fiddle leaf fig. The faux versions even mimic the slightly brighter new-growth tips found on real plants, which helps them blend in.

Adding a small wheeled plant stand under the pot makes rotating and moving the faux figs effortless, which is handy for cleaning or switching a room’s layout. I also paired them with neutral curtains, rugs, and art to keep the overall look cohesive.

Target sells two sizes: a larger floor model that works in a corner or between windows, and a smaller model appropriate for mantels, tabletops, or compact bathrooms. Both respond well to the adjustments above.

Real vs. faux — can you tell?

Side-by-side, a close inspection will reveal differences—especially if you’re inches from the leaves. From a typical viewing distance, though, the faux figs are very convincing. Fiddle leaf figs naturally have glossy, waxy leaves, so well-made plastic leaves can mimic that sheen effectively.

If you have a bright room and can care for a living fiddle leaf fig, go for a real one. But if your space lacks strong light or you consistently struggle to keep plants alive, these faux options offer a low-maintenance, long-lasting alternative that still enhances a room’s scale and texture.

Value and availability

While not the cheapest faux trees available, these Target options are competitively priced compared with higher-end faux trees from other retailers. A real plant of similar size may also come at a notable price, and won’t survive neglect. If you’re after convenience and a consistent look, the Target faux figs are worth considering.

Because they’re popular they can sell out quickly in stores; if you can’t find one locally, ordering online is an option—Target often offers free shipping over a minimum order amount. Keep your receipt; returns are usually straightforward if the plant doesn’t suit your space.

In short: re-pot them, reshape the foliage, and place them in natural light. With those three tweaks, Target’s faux fiddle leaf figs can be an attractive, realistic, and maintenance-free way to bring greenery into your home.

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