A Complete Guide to Sourcing Artificial Plants from China

Where Are Artificial Plants Made?

Artificial plants are manufactured globally.

But China remains the largest exporter, supplying over 60% of the world’s artificial flowers and plants. Manufacturing hubs like Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Hebei house thousands of factories, from small-scale family businesses to large OEM/ODM plants.

Thanks to low labor costs, advanced molding tech, and streamlined logistics, China has built a solid reputation as the go-to artificial plant supplier.

Why Are Artificial Plants So Expensive?

Despite being mass-produced, high-quality artificial plants involve complex craftsmanship:

• Detailed molds
• Multicolor injection techniques
• Hand-assembled components
• Custom color matching
  And if you’re importing eco-friendly or UV-resistant varieties for outdoor use, material costs rise even further. Still, when sourcing from China, wholesale prices can be remarkably competitive — often starting at $0.50 per stem for flowers or $1 for basic potted plants.

How Long Do Artificial Plants Last?

With proper care, premium artificial plants can last 5–10 years, especially indoor models.

Outdoor-use synthetic grass and trees are typically made with UV-resistant PE or PVC, giving them strong durability in sun or rain.

What to Look for When Sourcing Artificial Plants?

When evaluating suppliers, consider the following:

• Product Range: From artificial turf to trees, can the supplier handle your category?
• Customization Ability: Can they produce bespoke designs or packaging?
• MOQ & Pricing: Standard flower bouquets can start at just $1 per piece, but custom pieces may require MOQs of 500–1000 units.
• Material Type: Eco-friendly options like coconut fibers, real bark, or recycled PET.
• Certifications: Ask for REACH, RoHS, or fire-retardant test reports for specific markets.

Many Chinese artificial plant manufacturers now offer full-package services — from sourcing raw materials to delivering final packaged goods for retail shelves.

How to Import Artificial Plants from China

Here are key steps:

1. Find a reliable supplier.
2. Request samples for quality inspection.
3. Negotiate price, lead time, MOQ, and packaging requirements.
4. Check import regulations in your country (some may require plant-related declarations even for artificial goods).
5. Choose the right shipping method — sea freight is most cost-effective for bulk orders.
6. Inspect pre-shipment goods or work with a third-party agent.

💡 Tip: If you’re sourcing in large quantities or looking for recurring orders, working directly with the factory instead of a trading company may help reduce costs.

Highlights from the Artificial Plant Expo in China

I recently attended the 60th edition of the Artificial Plant Expo, hosted by the China Arts & Crafts Association. Since its founding in 1974, this iconic event has become a must-visit for buyers seeking artificial trees, wedding props, synthetic turf, and garden decor.

Here’s a quick walkthrough of some of the standout innovations and product lines we spotted at this year’s event. Please check the video for more details.

1. Hyper-Realistic Artificial Trees

Life-sized artificial trees made from 1:1 molds of real specimens were on full display.

These trees—such as coconut palms, maple trees, and cherry blossoms—are tailored to client specifications, including tree shape, trunk texture, color gradients, and size, and are designed to withstand outdoor environmental conditions.

2. Seasonal Artificial Flowers & Specialty Florals

Among the floral displays, one collection stood out for its focus on artificial rice stalks, wheat bundles, and seasonal wreaths tailored for holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas.

Most designs are available in stock, while custom orders typically start at 600 stems per SKU, with factory prices as low as $0.50 per stem. Popular current items include daffodil bouquets and customizable eucalyptus leaves in trendy color palettes.

3. Eco-Friendly Artificial Turf & Soft Display Materials

With sustainability on the rise, artificial turf producers are now offering grass made from natural fibers like palm and coconut husks.

One impressive product was a realistic-looking artificial moss that can remain submerged in water—ideal for interior landscaping. Another turf variant used camphor tree bark for added texture and realism.

For indoor decor, soft filament grass priced at about $0.70 per 100g is gaining popularity in markets like South Korea and Poland.

These soft materials are also used to produce animal-shaped sculptures, available at roughly $1.70 per unit.

4. One-Stop Customization Services for Artificial Greenery

Some manufacturers showcased full-service offerings—from product design and prototyping to manufacturing and packaging.

Large design teams are capable of delivering project-based artificial plant layouts tailored to commercial or landscape use.

Their designs are especially popular with buyers from Brazil, looking for high-impact, customized installations.

5. Behind the Scenes: How Artificial Plants Are Made

Curious about how these hyper-realistic products are created?

One exhibitor demonstrated injection molding machines specifically built for producing plastic flowers and artificial leaves. Once a mold is configured, it can produce multi-color artificial plant parts in mere seconds, offering a glimpse into the speed and efficiency of China’s production capabilities.

🎥 Want to see it all in action?
Watch our full expo vlog on YouTube here:

Final Thoughts

The global demand for artificial plants is only growing — and China remains the dominant manufacturing hub thanks to its innovation, cost-effectiveness, and diverse offerings.

Whether you’re a wholesaler, retailer, event planner, or project contractor, sourcing artificial flowers, trees, or turf directly from China can give you the margins and flexibility needed to scale your business.

At SourcingFromChina, we’re here to help you navigate the sourcing journey – from supplier vetting to product development and logistics.

About the Author

Karen Wang

References

• Artificial Flowers Plants Exports from China – Market Size & Demand based on Export Trade Data: https://www.volza.com/p/artificial-flowers-plants/export/export-from-china/