FAQ
The product
1. Are the succulents real?
No. Every succulent we use is artificial — a lifelike moulded plant, not a living one.
That's the whole idea. It never needs watering, it doesn't need light, it won't die if you go on holiday, it won't drop leaves on your desk, and it can't be refused at a state border. It looks like a plant and asks nothing of you.
2. What's it actually made of?
Three things:
- The pot is 3D-printed in PLA. PLA is a bioplastic made from plant sources such as corn starch or sugarcane, rather than from petroleum. It's rigid, matte, and doesn't smell.
- The succulent is artificial — moulded plastic, made to look like the real thing.
- The pebbles are real stone. They're set in place with PVA glue, the same water-based adhesive used in woodwork and craft.
A note on the environmental side, because it's often overclaimed: PLA is made from plant material, but it is not home compostable. It needs an industrial composting facility to break down properly. Please don't put it in your green bin or your compost heap. If you're finished with it, pass it on to someone else.
3. How big is it, exactly?
We make three sizes: 40 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm.
Height is the measurement we quote:
- Small — 40mm high
- Medium — 50mm high
- Large — 70mm high
That's the pot alone. The artificial succulent adds roughly another 20–50mm depending on the variety, so a Large with a tall succulent stands around 10–12cm overall. Widths and diameters have not been measured yet and are deliberately not quoted here.
To picture the scale: the 40 mm is roughly golf-ball sized, and the 70 mm is roughly tennis-ball sized. These are small, desk-scale objects. They're designed to be grouped — the three sizes together look deliberate in a way that one on its own doesn't.
If the exact dimensions matter for where you're putting it, email us before you order and we'll measure one for you.
4. Can I choose which succulent I get?
No — succulents are paired randomly with pots. You choose the pot design, the size and the colour, and we choose the succulent.
It's not a way of fobbing you off. We work in small batches from whatever's in stock, and holding separate inventory for every possible combination isn't something a one-person studio can do. Every succulent we use is one we're happy to send.
5. Why can I see fine lines on the surface?
Because it's 3D-printed, and that's how 3D printing works. The pot is built up in fine layers, one on top of the next, and where those layers meet you can see a subtle horizontal line. Hold it at an angle to the light and you'll notice them; from across a desk you won't.
We photograph our products honestly and don't retouch the layer lines out, so what you see on the product page is what turns up. Some people like the texture. If you were expecting an injection-moulded, perfectly smooth finish, this isn't that, and we'd rather tell you now than after you've paid.
Layer lines aren't a defect. Rough patches, gaps, stringing or a visible split in the print are — send us a photo and we'll replace it.
Looking after it
6. Is it fragile?
Reasonably sturdy, but not indestructible. The walls are thin printed plastic. It'll survive normal desk life, being knocked over, and being moved around. It will not survive being dropped onto a tiled floor, sat on, or stood on.
Treat it like a small ceramic ornament and it'll be fine for years.
7. Will the pebbles come loose?
They shouldn't. The pebbles are set in place with PVA glue and left to cure before the item is packed, so they're fixed, not loose.
Over time, with rough handling, an individual pebble can work free — it's a hand-assembled object, not a solid casting. If that happens shortly after you receive it, tell us and we'll sort it out. And see question 11, because water is the thing most likely to loosen them.
8. Can I keep it outside, or on a sunny windowsill?
No — please keep it indoors and out of direct sun. This is the one piece of care advice that genuinely matters.
PLA starts to soften at around 55-60°C. That sounds high until you remember what an Australian summer does to a closed car, a north-facing windowsill, or a metal outdoor table. A parked car in Sydney in January can pass 60°C inside without any trouble. A softened pot warps and doesn't come back.
Direct UV will also fade the colour and make the plastic brittle over time.
So: indoors, out of direct sunlight, away from heaters, radiators and car dashboards. A desk, a shelf, a bathroom counter, a bedside table — all fine.
Heat damage isn't a manufacturing fault, so it isn't covered by a warranty claim. We'd rather you knew that up front than found out later.
9. Is there a drainage hole?
No. There's no drainage hole and no water reservoir. There's nothing living in there to drain.
The base is closed, which is deliberate — it means nothing marks the surface it's standing on.
10. Can I plant a real succulent in it?
We really don't recommend it, for three reasons:
- There's no drainage hole, so water sits at the bottom and roots rot.
- The pot is not guaranteed watertight. 3D prints can have tiny gaps between layers, and water can seep through onto your furniture.
- The pebbles are held in with PVA glue, which is water-based. Watering it will eventually soften the glue and the pebbles will come away.
These are decorative objects, not functional planters. If you want a real plant, buy a real pot with a hole in the bottom.
11. How do I clean it?
Dust it dry. A soft dry brush, a makeup brush, a dry cloth, a can of compressed air, or a hairdryer on the cool setting all work well.
Don't wash it, don't submerge it, don't spray it. PVA glue is water-based and re-softens when it gets wet, so water is the fastest way to loosen the pebbles. Avoid solvents and cleaning sprays too — they can mark PLA.
If something sticky gets on the pot itself, a barely damp cloth on the printed surface only, kept away from the pebbles, then dry it straight away.
12. Is it safe around children and pets?
Not suitable for children under 3. It contains small parts — the pebbles in particular — that are a choking hazard if they come loose. Please keep it well out of reach of small children, and this is worth taking seriously rather than nodding along to.
For older children it's fine as an ornament, though it's a decorative object rather than a toy.
For pets: nothing in it is edible. PLA, artificial foliage and stone will all cause problems if a dog or cat chews and swallows a piece. If you have a pet that chews things, put it somewhere out of reach. If you think your pet has swallowed part of one, ring your vet.
Ordering and delivery
13. How long until my order ships?
We dispatch within 1-3 business days. Everything is made in small batches in Sydney, so there's a short window between your order and the parcel going out.
After that it's up to Australia Post. You'll get a dispatch email with a tracking number as soon as it's on its way, and delivery estimates for each service are on our Shipping page.
If it's a gift with a date attached, order early and email us if you're worried — we'd rather tell you honestly whether it'll make it.
14. Do you ship outside Australia?
Not yet. We ship within Australia only at the moment.
New Zealand is the most likely place we go next, and the rates are already worked out — it just isn't switched on. If you're in NZ and want one, email us and we'll let you know when it opens.
Still stuck?
Email hello@3decorstudio.com. One person reads that inbox and answers within 2 business days.
If something has gone wrong with an order, our Refunds and Returns page sets out exactly what you're entitled to and how to claim it.