I use the fake silk plants for just about all my critters...snakes, to skinks to tarantulas. I like the silk better than the plastic, because the silk seems to have a more natural look to it and isn't as stiff looking as the plastic plants, although I've actually used them together before as well. One thing to beware of, if you get your silk plants from a hobby shop or florist, make sure that they haven't been treated with anything. Some are treated with antifungal agents to keep mold from growing on them if they are used outdoors. Also watch for exposed wires (what is used to give the "stems" of the plants their rigidity), these are very sharp and should either be trimmed back or you can put a small "glob" of aquarium or other silicone sealant over it. One more bit of advice, don't try to sterilize silk plants with boiling water. I tried this once and the entire thing shirveled up and almost looked like I had put a live plant into the water!
I usually use hot water and Quatricide ( a antifungal-viral-bacterial cleaner sold for pet use) to clean up my plants. Hope this helps.
Roy