The invention discloses a method for restoring a degraded riparian zone through imitated vegetation. The method comprises the steps that biological materials are used for imitating roots, stems and leaves of vegetation, and the imitated vegetation is obtained and prepared from polyolefin materials; the stems are partially and vertically inserted into soil, the imitated leaves are fixed to the tops of the stems, the imitated vegetation is formed, the stems are hollow, the surfaces of the stems are provided with a large number of small breathable holes, the oxygen content of soil is increased, an aerobic environment is provided for microorganisms, pollutants are purified, a small cover is arranged above the small breathable holes to prevent rainwater and soil from entering the small breathable holes, and blockage is avoided. The method has the advantages that pollutants diffused to rivers are reduced, and the ecological environment of the riparian zone is restored; water and soil are preserved, bank fixation and slope protection are achieved, and water and soil loss is prevented; the method is not affected by seasons, time and plant production periods and wide in application range; the soil of the riparian zone which is unsuitable for vegetation growth and seriously polluted is restored, and therefore ecological restoration can be conveniently carried out on follow-up planted vegetation. The imitated vegetation is low in cost, easy to manufacture and convenient to install and has an aesthetic value.