How to Make a Gorgeous Living Wreath: A Step-by-Step Guide

Living wreaths made of lush greenery and colorful flowers are a beautiful way to decorate your home. Making your own living wreath allows you to create a custom design and make a stunning statement piece for your front door or wall. While it may seem intimidating, it’s actually quite easy to DIY with simple materials and following basic steps.

In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn everything you need to craft a magnificent living wreath by hand. Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need

Before starting your living wreath project, you’ll want to gather these supplies:

• Metal wreath frame, 10-14 inches round or square
• Sheet moss, one 8 oz bag
• Assorted greenery cuttings like ferns, ivy, mondo grass – mix textures!
• Succulents or small potted plants
• Lightweight potting soil
• 20-24 gauge florist wire, about 6-10 feet
• Gardening shears and scissors
• Large tub or bucket
• Tray or drop cloth
• Mister bottle

Step 1: Soak the Moss

The first step is to soak your sheet moss so it becomes pliable and won’t draw moisture from the soil.

• Place the moss in a large tub or bucket.
• Cover with water, submerging completely.
• Allow to soak 15-20 minutes until thoroughly wet.
• Gently lift moss from water and squeeze out excess moisture.

Step 2: Add Moss to Wreath Frame

Now it’s time to attach the moist moss to the base

• Lay frame on flat surface covered with tray or cloth.
• Press soaked moss onto frame, covering all metal parts.
• Use extra moss pieces to patch any gaps if needed.
• Moss should adhere to frame when wet.

Step 3: Add Soil

Next build up a soil base for planting

• Sprinkle potting mix over the moss base, covering completely.
• Use fingers to gently press soil down into a 1-2 inch layer.
• Mound soil slightly and fill frame fully.

Step 4: Insert Greenery

Here’s where it gets fun! Start adding greenery:

• Make small holes in soil using fingers or a pencil.
• Cut stems of ferns, ivy, mondo grass etc into 4-6 inch pieces.
• Insert each stem into the soil holes, spacing evenly for fullness.
• Plant at least 5-10 stems per square inch. Fill frame.

Step 5: Secure Greenery

Now to lock the greenery in place:

• Use florist wire to wrap ends of delicate ferns/stems.
• Cut wire into 10-12 inch lengths and anchor plants into soil.
• Hide wires by tucking under moss pieces as needed.

Step 6: Hang and Maintain

Your living wreath is ready to hang!

• Attach wire hanger to back of frame.
• Mist with water daily to hydrate plants.
• Soak wreath weekly by submerging in water 20 mins.
• Prune or replace dead material promptly.

With these simple steps, you can create a stunning living wreath! Let your creativity run wild. For holidays, add berries, pinecones or succulents. Change it up each season. Your handmade wreath will be the talk of the neighborhood.

Tips for Making the Perfect Living Wreath

Follow these extra tips for living wreath success:

• Choose small plants and cuttings to fit wreath frame easily. Mini succulents work beautifully.

• Stick to low-growing varieties like thyme, sedum, vinca -trailing types that won’t outgrow the wreath quickly.

• Mix different textures like fern fronds, creeping jenny, mondo grass for visual interest.

• Plan color scheme and placement of plants before inserting into soil.

• Keep freshly made wreaths indoors 1-2 weeks for roots to develop before hanging outside.

• Display out of direct sun to prevent drying out. Mist often and soak weekly.

• Rotate wreaths seasonally! Make a spring, summer, fall and holiday wreath. Get creative!

With the right materials and tips, you can craft living wreaths like a pro. Your custom creation will make a beautiful natural decoration for any season. Impress your guests with your unique handmade living wreath on full display.