How to Make A Living Wreath

If you love houseplants you’re probably always looking for new ways to display them in your home. One of the most unique ways to add live plants to your home is with a living wreath. Living wreaths are not only beautiful they are also a great way to expand your hobby and love of houseplants. While they are widely available commercially, you can easily make your own at a fraction of the cost.

The Best Plants for A Living Wreath

Although you can use virtually any plant to create a living wreath, the plants watering requirements needs to be carefully considered. Because it is a wreath, watering isn’t as simple as pouring water into the soil. The wreath will need to be taken outside, or placed in a bath tub, watered and allowed to drain thoroughly before rehanging. For this reason, succulents make an excellent choice because they require less frequent watering than other types of plants.

If you plan to add a little variety by using several different types of plants, you also need to make sure they have the same basic care requirements. In order to thrive, the plants need to have the same light and water needs. Avoid mixing plants that need full sun with those that grow much better in indirect sunlight. It is also better to choose plants that have smaller root balls that can be inserted into holes in the planting medium.

Supplies to make a 12″ living wreath:

Wire wreath form
Floral pins
Fine gauge floral wire
Pointed tool to create holes
Approximately 3 pounds of Sphagnum moss
1 16 quart bag of potting soil
Plants

* Place the Sphagnum moss in a container of warm water and let it soak for approximately 20 minutes.

* Place the wreath on a flat surface and tie one end of the florist wire onto the wreath.

* Layer the moss generously all around the inside of the wreath form. Place the strips so that they will overlap the edge of the form. The overlapping moss will be needed to cover the potting soil and hold the plants securely in the wreath. Cover the entire wreath with moss leaving enough room in the center to fill the wreath with potting soil.

* Fill the center of the moss with potting soil. You can use a spray bottle filled with water to moisten the soil so that it will stay in place. Keep in mind that when you water the wreath the soil will settle, so it needs to be packed into the wreath fairly well.

* Once the wreath is filled with potting soil wrap the overlapping moss over the soil. Wrap floral wire all around the moss securing it into place.

* Before you actually plant any of your plants into the wreath lay them on the top of the wreath to decide on where you want to place each plant.

* If the plants have small root balls simply use a sharp tool to make holes in the moss big enough to insert the roots. Plants with larger root balls will need to be planted directly into the soil and then surrounded with moss.

* As you insert each plant use some of the floral wire and a few floral pins to hold the plant securely in place.

* After you have inserted all of your plants into the wreath, fill in any holes, gaps or bare areas with moss and secure it in place with floral wire.

Once your wreath is done, water it thoroughly and let it drain before you hang it. Remember to water your living wreath regularly and in between watering, you can use a spray bottle to mist the plants to add moisture. As the plants grow you can pinch them back or prune them to help them maintain the shape of the wreath. Fertilize the plants in your living wreath just as you would if you were growing them in a container.

When it comes to the wreath you have two choices, you can make your own from scratch, or purchase one that is already filled with moss. Making your own is not only cheaper, it will also give you the satisfaction of having created the entire project yourself. And, if you really enjoy working with plants, you will have a lot of fun creating this beautiful living wreath.

Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2010 HousePlantsForYou.com