Make a Living Wreath

Synopsis: Living wreaths are a great way to creatively display plants. Learn how to make your own living wreath in just a few simple steps.

Keywords: wreath, floral, succulent, plant, how-to

Living wreaths can be hung inside to brighten a room or outside to add interest to a patio or garden. They can be made with all sorts of green plants and flowers. These unique wreaths are wonderful conversation starters and they are also incredibly easy to make. These simple instructions will guide you through the process of making a 12" living wreath.

To make a 12” living wreath you will need the following materials:

• 1 12” Concave wreath form
• 3 lbs. Sphagnum Sheet Moss (you will probably have some left over)
• Bucket or tub for soaking moss
• Non-porous gloves for safety
• 1 16qt. Bag of Potting Soil
• 1 Spool (also called a Paddle) of Fine Gage Floral Wire
• 2 Packages of Floral Pins (25 pieces per package)
• Long Tweezers or Chopsticks
• Spray Bottle (optional)
• Great Plants!

Choosing Your Plants and Soil

With such a wide variety of suitable plants to choose from, finding something that fits your style shouldn’t be difficult. Look for plants that sprout roots quickly such as ivies and philodendrons. Some flowering plants such as violets, pansies and alyssum can be used as well; in fact many flowering plants will accommodate the structure of a living wreath. Succulents come in many shapes and colors and most make great living wreaths because they are so easy to care for. Mint, thyme, rosemary and many other herbs can also be used. The important thing to keep in mind when you are choosing your plants is that they should all have similar growing requirements. Make sure that each plant you choose shares common soil, water and sunlight needs. Be sure to pick up potting soil that is appropriate for the type of plants you will be using. Succulents for instance, prefer a sandy quick draining soil, while violets thrive in fertile nutrient rich soil. Be creative with your selection and try mixing plants with different colors and textures.

Getting Started

• Be sure to wear non-porous gloves when working with the sphagnum moss as its natural bacteria can irritate your skin.
• Rip some sphagnum moss into large strips and let them soak in a tub of water for a few minutes.
• Place the wreath form on your working surface, flat side up.
• Remove the strips of moss from the water, wring them out and pack them into the wreath. form. Let the strips overlap and be sure to let plenty of moss hang over the outside edge of the form. You will use this moss later to cover the potting soil and help secure your plants.
• Continue packing in moss until the entire form is covered, but leave enough room to pack the potting soil on top of it.
• Pack lightly moistened potting soil (a spray bottle works well for moistening) into your moss covered wreath form, and be sure to create a generous mound of dirt for your plants to flourish in.
• Next, wrap the sphagnum moss around the soil mound and use your floral wire to secure it at the top, bottom and two sides. To do this, begin at the top of the wreath form and attach the end of the floral wire to the outer rim of the form. Stretch the moss up and over the mound of dirt and loop the floral wire through the center of the form.
• Continue this technique until the wreath form is divided into quarters with loose moss still hanging over the sides in each of the four sections.Tip: Some garden supply stores offer prepared wreath forms that come already stuffed with moss and soil. These can be a great time-saving shortcut, just be sure you choose plants that will thrive in the soil that comes with the form.
• Next position you plants around the form and decide on their placement.
• Larger plants should be placed in the soil first, pull the moss still hanging over the sides of your wreath form up and over the base of the new plantings, and secure them with floral wire.
• Use your long tweezers or chopsticks to poke a hole in the soil. Place smaller plants or cuttings into the hole and pack the soil around it. Use the moss and floral pins or a length of floral wire to secure the small plants.

Finishing Up

Now that everything has been planted, you will want to fill any of the wreaths bare areas in with moss. Using your floral pins, simply locate a bare area, place a small bit of moss (damp or dry) on top of the area and secure it by simply pushing a floral pin through the moss and into the soil. Remember to leave some room for your plants to grow. If you pack the plants in too tightly you will need to prune them in a very short time, or worse -- they could choke each other and start to die.

Caring For

Once you are satisfied with the finished wreath, you’ll want to find a place to display it. Take your plants needs into consideration when choosing a spot for your living wreath. Will it need bright sunlight? Will it thrive in an outside garden? Take the wreath down and lay it flat when watering. Some plants, such as African violets, will prefer to absorb liquid through their roots and should be placed in shallow dishes of water. Others, such as certain ivies, will thrive with a frequent, light misting. As your plants grow, continue to use floral pins to train them along the wreath form, pruning when necessary.