How to Make Succulent Wreaths

Create your own succulent wreaths for unique wall or table decor.

All it takes are a few easy-to-find items and you'll enjoy living, growing succulent wreaths for your home that are sure to get attention -- and plenty of compliments, too.

succulent wreathsRosette-shaped echeveria and draped Spanish moss give this wreath an elegant look.

Beautiful, unusual succulent plants are somehow even more eye-catching when displayed together.

Your living succulent wreath can be anything you want it to be.

Want some creative inspiration? The finished wreaths shown here include a wide variety of succulents with unique textures, shapes and colors.

Oh, and you'll love this...once your wreath is "planted" its care is super-easy. Just give it some sunlight and water once in a while. (You'll find care tips below.)

Gather Your Wreath-Making Supplies

You'll need a wire wreath frame to hold the sphagnum moss. You can buy one already put together if you want to skip this step. The wire forms vary in size from about 9-16 inches in diameter. Most are round -- some are square or heart-shaped.

Long-fiber sphagnum moss to fill the form.

Scissors or pruners for cutting succulent stems and for making holes in the moss for planting.

U-shaped craft pins for holding the plants in place. Bent florist's wire works, too.

How to Make Your Succulent Wreaths -- Step by Step

  1. Choose your plants. You have a huge array of succulents to choose from: sedum, echeveria and aeonium offer 100s of species in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

  2. Take cuttings from your plants, leaving 2-inch (5 cm) long stems. Allow the cuttings to dry a day or two before you make your wreath, so that the cut ends will dry a bit and won't ooze sap.

  3. Soak the moss in water before you use it. Make sure its completely saturated, then wring out the extra water. Pack the sphagnum moss tight enough to hold the shape of the form. If you bought a pre-filled moss form, plunge the entire thing in water to saturate it.

  4. Plan your arrangement. Lay your moistened wreath on a table or countertop. Surround it with the succulent cuttings you took to get an idea of how they'll look on the wreath.

  5. Plant your plants by poking scissors, or another sharp, pointed tool, in the moss to make a hole for each cutting. Insert one stem into each hole. Don't be afraid to crowd the succulents a bit -- they're slow-growing. Plus, you'll get a fuller, more beautiful arrangement this way.

  6. Pin stems in place. Until your succulents are rooted, they'll need help staying in place. Hold each one with a U-shaped craft pin to keep it from falling out. Take care not to cut in to the stems.

Wreath Hanging Tip:

If you plan to hang your succulent wreath on the wall or a door, it's a good idea to place a clear plastic sheet behind it. The sphagnum moss will often be wet, and you don't want to damage your home with water and possibly mold.

Cut the plastic to the size of the wreath so that it doesn't show.

How to Take Care of Succulent Wreaths

Give your wreath plenty of light. Most succulents need at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight every day. Put your wreath near a sunny window or in a sunroom. Want to move it outdoors? Keep it sheltered from hot, direct sun and bring it back in if the temperature drops to 55°F/13°C at night. These desert-dwellers don't like the cold.

Water carefully. To water your succulent wreath, dip it in room-temperature water for a few minutes to allow the sphagnum moss to soak it up. Then allow it dry a bit before watering again. Overwatering kills more plants than anything else. Succulents efficiently store water so they need watering less often than most people believe. Never allow water to settle in the rosettes of succulents because they will easily rot. Watch plants closely. If succulent leaves are shriveled, they need more water.

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