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

Living wreaths are a beautiful and creative way to decorate your home for any season. These lush green wreaths made of living plants can adorn your front door or enhance your holiday decor The best part is that making your own living wreath is surprisingly easy and allows you to customize it exactly how you want Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to craft a stunning living wreath for your home!

Supplies You’ll Need

Before starting your living wreath. you’ll need to gather these supplies

• Metal wreath frame, 10-14 inches round or square. You can find these at craft stores or make your own from chicken wire.

• Sheet moss, enough to cover the frame. Look for preserved sheet moss sold specifically for crafts.

• Assorted greenery like ferns, ivy, mondo grass, creeping jenny. Mix textures!

• Lightweight potting soil or potting mix. Avoid heavy garden soil.

• Florist wire, 20-24 gauge. You’ll need about 6-10 feet.

• Garden pruners or scissors for trimming greenery

• Large bucket or tub for soaking moss

• Water mister or spray bottle

• Tray or drop cloth for containing mess

Step 1: Soak the Moss

• Place sheet moss in a large bucket or tub.

• Add water until the moss is completely submerged.

• Allow moss to soak for 15-20 minutes until thoroughly saturated. This prevents it from stealing moisture from the soil.

• Gently lift moss from water and squeeze out excess moisture. Set aside.

Step 2: Add Moss to Frame

• Take your metal wreath frame and place it on a flat work surface or tray to contain mess.

• Lay the soaked sheet moss over the frame, pressing it into the frame so all metal is covered.

• Use additional small moss pieces to patch any gaps or holes.

Step 3: Add Soil

• Sprinkle potting mix over the moss, covering it completely.

• Press soil gently to form an even 1-2 inch layer over the moss and frame.

• Fill frame fully with soil, mounding slightly if needed.

Step 4: Insert Greenery

• Make small holes in the soil using your finger or a pencil. Space about 1 inch apart.

• Cut 6-8 inch pieces of ferns, ivy, mondo grass etc. Remove any dead material.

• Insert each stem into the soil holes, spacing evenly for a full look.

• Plant 5-10 stems per square inch for lush results. Continue until frame is full.

Step 5: Secure Greenery

• Use florist wire to secure the greenery firmly in the soil.

• Cut 10-12 inch lengths and wrap the ends of delicate ferns or stems to anchor them.

• Hide wires by tucking under additional moss as needed.

• Check for any gaps and fill by tucking in extra stems or moss.

Step 6: Hang and Maintain

• Attach a wire hanger to the back of the frame. Hang on front door, wall or holiday spot.

• Mist with water daily to keep moss and plants hydrated.

• Soak wreath weekly by submerging in tub of water for 15-20 minutes.

• Prune or replace any dead or damaged material. Wreaths last 1-2 months with care.

Design Inspiration and Tips

• For holiday wreaths, add berries, pinecones, ornaments, ribbon etc. Remove promptly after display.

• Make a woodland wreath with ferns, ivy, mondo grass, creeping jenny.

• Try succulents like hen and chicks and sedum for a low-maintenance desert wreath.

• Rotate wreaths seasonally! Make a grape hyacinth wreath for spring, holly wreath for winter.

• Topiary frames allow you to shape wreaths into hearts, stars, or custom shapes.

With this easy DIY method, you can create stunning living wreaths for a fraction of the cost of buying pre-made ones. Let your creativity run wild and make wreaths that match your style and décor! Impress your family and friends with your gorgeous handcrafted living wreath.

Alternative Base Materials

While moss and soil work well for living wreaths, you can also try these alternative base materials:

Coco Coir Liner

Coco coir is made from the fibers of coconut husks and is a sustainable option. The liners come in mats that can be wrapped over wreath frames. The coarse fiber helps anchor plants.

Sphagnum Moss Wreath Forms

Sphagnum moss wreath forms have built-in moss liner and wire frame in one. Just add soil and plants! They hold moisture well.

Straw Wreath Forms

Straw wreath forms have a braided straw base. They provide good airflow to plant roots and drainage. They tend to dry out faster than moss.

Hypertufa Wreath Forms

Hypertufa is a handmade tufa that looks like stone. The wreath forms are lightweight and porous. They allow plants to root directly into the frame.

Wire Frame Only

For a minimalist wreath, you can simply use a basic wire frame. Add a thin layer of moss or coconut coir liner if desired. Works best for succulents.

The base material you choose depends on the look you want and how much time you want to spend creating it. Experiment with different textures and materials for unique living wreaths!

Succulent Wreath Instructions

Succulents like hen and chicks, echeveria, and sedum are perfect for living wreaths because they store water in their leaves. Follow these tips for a gorgeous succulent wreath:

Supplies

• Wire wreath frame

• Sheet moss

• Cactus/succulent soil mix

• Assorted succulents. Look for small rosettes and trailing types.

• Craft or floral wire

• Wire cutters

Directions

• Soak sheet moss and add to frame as outlined above.

• Fill frame with soil mix, which drains well. Pat down firmly.

• Use wire cutters to clip 1-2 inch segments of succulents from mother plants.

• Make a hole in soil with finger and insert each succulent cutting.

• Space about 1-2 inches apart for full coverage. Press gently around stems.

• Use wire to secure stray stems, then hide with moss. Mist soil.

• Let wreath rest horizontally 1-2 weeks until cuttings root. Then hang vertically.

• Mist every 2-3 days and soak monthly. Remove any dried/dead leaves.

Succulent wreaths need less frequent watering than ones made with traditional greens. Enjoy their colorful, plump leaves and exotic shapes!

Herb & Veggie Wreath Instructions

Make a culinary wreath using fresh herbs and vegetable plants. Follow these instructions:

Supplies

• Wire frame

• Sheet moss

• Light potting mix

• Herb and veggie starter plants like oregano, thyme, lettuce, parsley, chives

• Additional herbs for tucking like rosemary sprigs

• Floral wire

Directions

• Soak moss, add to frame, and fill with potting mix as described previously.

• Carefully remove starter plants from their pots or cell packs. Gently loosen roots.

• Make small slits in the moss liner using a knife. Tuck each plant’s roots into the slits, pressing soil around them.

• Space plants evenly about 3-4 inches apart to allow for growth.

• Tuck in small sprigs of rosemary, lemon balm etc to fill gaps.

• Wire any loose stems in place and mist soil.

• Let wreath rest flat 1 week so plants establish roots before hanging.

• Water when soil dries out. Use within 3-4 weeks before herbs bolt.

Enjoy having fresh flavorful herbs right at your fingertips. As you harvest the herbs, you can replant new ones for continuous culinary delight!

Alternative Plants to Use

Beyond traditional greens, herbs and succulents, consider using these plants for your living wreath:

• Annual flowers – pansies, violas, petunias, geraniums

• Tropical plants – small bromeliads, polka dot plants

• Vegetables – colorful lettuces and kale, cherry tomato vines

• Vines – ivy, creeping jenny, wire vine, English ivy

• Ornamental grasses – miniature mondo grass, liriope

• Perennials – sedum, sempervivum hens and chicks, creeping phlox

Really, any small plants that creep or trail work beautifully. Let the seasons and your taste inspire you!

Displaying Your Living Wreath

Living wreaths make a big impact displayed on your front door, above the mantel, on an outdoor wall, or as a centerpiece. Here are some tips:

• If your wreath is indoors, be sure to place it near a bright window or under grow lights.

• Outdoors, hang the wreath in a spot with the appropriate sun exposure.

• For holiday wreaths, attach festive ribbons, bows, or ornaments with wire or floral pins.

• Refresh your décor by making a new wreath for each season.

• Once the wreath starts to fade, add some fresh new cuttings or plants for a boost.

• Compost the wreath once plants are completely spent or dried out.

With a beautiful living wreath adorning your home, you’ll be ready for compliments and questions from friends and family wanting to know how you made it!

So try your hand at crafting one of these organic works of art. Follow the simple steps and unleash your creativity. Add a dash of personality or holiday spirit. Before you know it, you’ll have a custom living wreath that makes your heart and your front door happy.