Is Wicker Furniture Waterproof? Can It Get Wet or Stay Out?

Updated October 2026 · About a 10-minute read

We build outdoor wicker for hotels, resorts and distributors at Kingmake Outdoor, so this guide sticks to what we see on real projects: what happens when wicker gets wet, whether it can stay outside, and what to check on a spec sheet before you order.

Is Wicker Furniture Waterproof? Quick Answer by Material

It depends on what the strands are made of. Here is the short version:

“All-weather wicker”, “resin wicker”, “PE rattan” and “synthetic wicker” all describe the same family of woven plastic. HDPE is the grade you want.

What Is Wicker Made Of? Wicker vs Rattan vs Cane

Wicker is a weaving method, not a material. Any flexible strand can be woven into wicker, which is why the same word covers an old porch chair and a poolside sofa built last month.

Natural wicker uses rattan (a climbing palm), cane (the peeled outer skin of rattan), bamboo, willow or reed. All of them are plant fibers, so all of them take on water. Synthetic wicker uses extruded plastic strands, mostly HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and sometimes PVC or nylon. So, is wicker plastic? Outdoors, usually yes. Indoors, often not.

The same logic answers “is rattan waterproof?” and “is cane furniture waterproof?”. Natural rattan and cane are not. “PE rattan” means synthetic strands made to look like rattan, which is what US retailers call resin wicker. Buyers in the UK and Australia tend to search for rattan garden furniture, while US buyers search for wicker patio furniture. It’s the same product category, so check the strand material, not the label.

Waterproof, Water-Resistant or Weatherproof: What the Labels Mean

Sellers use these words loosely. Here is what each one can honestly promise:

• Waterproof: no water gets through. Woven surfaces have gaps by design, and cushions, foam cores and frame joints each handle water differently, so be skeptical of “100% waterproof wicker”.

• Water-resistant: repels water and doesn’t absorb it, but isn’t built for permanent soaking. Good synthetic wicker sits here.

• Weatherproof or weather-resistant: copes with sun, rain, wind and temperature swings together. This is the claim that matters for outdoor furniture.

When a listing says waterproof, ask which part. The strands might be. The cushion core and the frame might not be.

Can Wicker Get Wet? What Happens When It Does

One shower isn’t a disaster if the chair dries fast. The damage comes from water that stays in the fibers and from repeated wet-and-dry cycles.

Natural wicker, rattan and cane

The fibers swell when wet and shrink as they dry, which loosens the weave and makes the seat sag. If dampness lingers, mold and a musty smell follow. In cold climates, water inside the fibers freezes and cracks them. Even without rain, constant sun dries natural strands out until they fade and snap.

That’s why natural wicker belongs indoors, in a sunroom or under a solid roof. A shaded veranda or covered lounge is fine. Poolside seating and open-air dining are not.

If natural wicker does get soaked, wipe it down, move it somewhere shaded with good airflow and let it dry fully. Skip the heater and the direct sun. Drying it fast makes the strands brittle.

Synthetic HDPE wicker

HDPE strands don’t absorb water, so they don’t swell, rot or mold. Rain beads off and the weave dries quickly. What can still go wrong is elsewhere: water held in the cushion core, a steel frame rusting where the coating has chipped, or low-grade resin cracking from UV rather than from water.

Can Wicker Furniture Be Left Outside in the Rain or Winter?

• Natural wicker: no. Keep it under cover or bring it in when it rains.

• HDPE wicker: yes. It handles rain all year, and a cover helps it last longer without being essential.

• Winter: HDPE strands stay flexible in the cold, but repeated freeze–thaw is harder on cushions and joints. Bring cushions inside, brush off heavy snow, and ask your supplier for cold-weather performance data if you’re in a harsh climate.

Choose breathable covers with vents. A sealed plastic wrap traps moisture and invites the mildew you were trying to avoid. We make waterproof furniture covers with built-in air vents, sized to fit patio sets, sofas and daybeds.

Can You Waterproof Wicker Furniture?

For natural wicker you can improve water resistance. For synthetic wicker, you shouldn’t try.

Natural wicker

1. Clean it with mild soap and water, then let it dry completely.

2. Apply thin coats of exterior wicker paint, marine varnish or tung oil. Treat the underside and the joints too, not just the visible surface.

3. Let each coat cure as the label says before you use the piece.

4. Plan to redo it every few years.

This slows the damage but doesn’t make natural wicker outdoor-grade. Thick, film-forming finishes can also lock moisture inside the fibers and rot them from within, so keep coats thin.

Synthetic wicker

Skip sealants and paint. HDPE doesn’t need them, and coatings tend to peel. If the strands have gone chalky or faded, that’s UV breakdown in the resin and no spray will fix it. Do touch up chipped powder coating on the frame early, before rust spreads.

What Decides Whether Outdoor Wicker Survives Wet Weather

Two sets can look identical in photos and age very differently. Four things make the difference.

Strand material: HDPE or PVC

HDPE resists UV, cracks less and keeps its flexibility, so the weave holds its tension instead of going baggy after a few summers. Cheaper PVC wicker looks similar at first but tends to fade and turn brittle, especially in heat. UV stabilizers should be blended into the resin, not just sprayed on the surface. You can read more about the material in our guide to HDPE outdoor furniture.

Frame: powder-coated aluminum

Aluminum is light, strong and doesn’t rust. Steel can work if it’s properly treated, but one chip in the coating gives rust a way in, and that’s common on hotel furniture that gets moved, stacked and cleaned every day. Look at weld quality too. Our aluminum frames are full-penetration TIG welded and powder coated before weaving.

Cushions: foam and fabric

The weave dries in minutes, but a soaked foam core can stay damp long after. Quick-dry foam and solution-dyed fabrics (Sunbrella or olefin, for example) cut the mildew risk. Removable covers are worth asking for, because housekeeping can wash them and you can replace covers without replacing the foam.

Weave and drainage

A tight, even weave keeps its shape and sheds water. Check seats and arms for flat pockets where water pools, and for loose strand ends that unravel after a season of daily use.

How to Care for Wicker Furniture After Rain

1. Wipe off standing water so it doesn’t sit inside the weave.

2. Stand cushions on their edges or bring them inside to dry. Don’t stack them wet.

3. Rinse off salt, sunscreen and pollen with mild soap, a soft brush and a garden hose. Avoid pressure washers and harsh chemicals.

4. Let everything air-dry in the shade.

5. Check the frame for chips in the powder coating and touch them up promptly.

Climate Check: What to Specify for Your Location

Matching the material to the climate is the cheapest upgrade you can make. It applies to any patio furniture order, not just wicker.

Natural vs Synthetic Wicker: Cost and Lifespan

On commercial projects the frame often outlasts the weave, so you only replace sections once the strands start to loosen. Compare cost per year in service (price, cushion replacement and labor, divided by years used) rather than the sticker price. Synthetic wicker usually wins that comparison.

Buying Wicker for Hotels, Restaurants and Resorts

Kingmake Outdoor is a factory-direct outdoor furniture manufacturer in Foshan, China. We’ve been running our 18,000㎡ plant since 2008, we’re ISO 9001 certified, and our arm chairs, sun loungers and sofas are tested by TÜV SÜD. We weave HDPE strands over powder-coated aluminum frames, and buyers can customize weave color, frame finish, size and cushion fabric. You can browse our custom wicker and rattan collections for current styles.

Before you place a volume order for any supplier, get answers to these:

• Is the resin HDPE or PVC? Ask for a material spec sheet, not just “all-weather” on the listing.

• Are UV stabilizers mixed into the resin, or is there only a surface coating?

• What is the frame (aluminum or steel), how are joints welded, and how is it coated?

• What foam and fabric are used in the cushions, and are covers removable? Can you buy spare covers?

• Can you test a sample first? Soak a weave panel and a cushion, then see how long each takes to dry.

• How is color kept consistent across batches if you’re furnishing several properties?

• What does the warranty cover for frame, weave and cushions separately, and what counts as water damage?

For a longer checklist, read our guide on how to choose outdoor wicker furniture.

Wicker Furniture Waterproof FAQs

Is wicker furniture waterproof?

Not completely. Natural wicker absorbs water. Synthetic HDPE wicker resists water and handles rain, but cushions, joints and frames still need to be built for outdoor use.

Can wicker furniture get wet?

Synthetic wicker can. Natural wicker shouldn’t, because the fibers swell, mold and weaken.

Can wicker furniture be left outside in the rain?

HDPE wicker can, especially on an aluminum frame. Natural wicker should be kept under cover.

Is rattan furniture waterproof?

Natural rattan isn’t. Synthetic “PE rattan” is the same material as resin wicker and is made for outdoor use.

Is resin wicker waterproof?

It resists water well, particularly HDPE, but no woven piece is fully waterproof. Check the cushions and frame as well as the strands.

Is wicker weatherproof?

Synthetic wicker is weather-resistant when it uses HDPE with UV stabilizers. Natural wicker isn’t.

Can wicker furniture stay outside in winter?

HDPE wicker generally can. Bring cushions inside and use breathable covers in snowy or freeze–thaw climates.

What happens to wicker when it gets wet?

Natural wicker swells, sags and can mold or crack. Synthetic wicker sheds the water and dries quickly.

Is wicker plastic?

Outdoor wicker usually is: extruded HDPE strands woven over a frame. Natural wicker is made from plant fibers like rattan or cane.

Final Thoughts

Wicker isn’t waterproof, but that doesn’t rule it out for outdoor use. Natural wicker is for covered or indoor spaces. For open-air settings, choose HDPE woven over a powder-coated aluminum frame, with quick-dry cushions, and the furniture will cope with rain and sun for years.

If you’re comparing an outdoor furniture supplier for a hotel, restaurant or distribution program, send us your target climate and quantities and we’ll request a sample or quote.