Artificial foliage is described for use in camouflaging underwater structures, and/or for serving as cover vegetation which attracts aquatic life. A preferred version of the artificial foliage includes an elongated stem having shoots (e.g., leaves and/or branches) extending therefrom, a ballast weight connected to one of the stem ends, and a float and/or tensioning line connected to the opposite stem end for supporting the stem at least partially upright in the water above the ballast. The ballast may take a variety of forms, such as a conventional fishing sinker, sinkable structures such as bait traps or anchors, or an underwater camera.