Living Wreath – How to make a living wreath with succulents

As I was browsing around my favorite local garden center, I spied a brand new shipment of BEAUTIFUL succulents that had just arrived! (I try to stop in often so I can jump on any unadvertised sales, and to see what’s new.)

Well… as I was taking in the beauty and intricacies of each little plant and trying to find a way that I could use them in my home decor, I came to the conclusion that it is time for me to try my hand at creating my own living wreath!

Because you build a living wreath out of different cuttings and not whole plants, it won’t be extremely expensive to create. I will be very careful to buy only those plants that will produce several cuttings for me to work with, which will also help to keep my costs at a minimum.

The types of plants, shapes, colors and sizes that you choose to work with are all up to you & your particular tastes, so you will be able to create something that you will truly love & enjoy for years to come!

Soon, as your living wreath begins to grow, you will be able to take cuttings, which you can then share with a friend, or use to create new wreaths to give away as gifts!

Here are a few pictures to help give you some ideas on how to create your own living wreath.

living wreath

succulent living wreath

living wreath 2

succulent wreath 2

Video – How to make a living wreath using succulents


What is your biggest question about creating your own living wreath? Post it in the comments below, and we will try to answer it for you!

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38 thoughts on “Living Wreath – How to make a living wreath with succulents”

  1. Those are beautiful! I think I may have to try one.

    How would one care for it in the winter months when it had to be moved indoors?
    I’m in TN (zone 6 or 7 I think).

    Reply
    • Lana,

      First of all, think about the succulents that you pick to plant your wreath with, and how they would grow in the garden. Many people enjoy planting their little succulents in small crevices of a rock, and they overwinter just fine. So, if you’ve chosen winter hardy succulents, you can simply lay the wreath plant side up in a safe place in your garden (that’s what I can do – and I am in a zone 4/5). If you don’t have a garden, you could put it under a step or porch, or in an unheated garage. Treat it like you would the rest of your garden… if you mulch for the winter – mulch right over the wreath as well.

      I used to think that the plants would live just fine if I brought them inside for the winter, but this is ONLY true if you use “tender” succulents – or those that do not endure freezing temps.

      Pearl

      Reply
    • Diane,

      That’s the beauty of these “little gardens”! They are SO easy to care for, and don’t really require any special “thumb” to help them survive! 🙂

      Once you plant them:

      1. Lay them down for a couple of weeks before you hang them up – this gives their little roots some time to develop.

      2. Water every 2 weeks or so – by laying the wreath bottom down in a bucket/pan large enough to hold your wreath. Let it soak for an hour or so. During the growing season, your hardy succulents will like some water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Grow’s 10-15-10. Just add it to the water according to the product directions. Do not feed during the dormant winter season.

      Be sure to let it drip dry on a drying rack or table before hanging up – otherwise the water will drain down the side of your house/door.

      Tip: If your goal is to have your wreath grow in a uniform way, be sure to rotate it by 1/4 every week or so. Also be sure to rotate it in the same direction each time.

      That’s it!

      I know you can do it! Give it a try 😉

      Pearl

      Reply
  2. Hi Pearl! I’ve also been interested in these living wreaths, but always figured they were too…intricate for me to work with. I’ll take a look at the video and then decide!

    I do however want to “gush” over that wreath in the third picture. They’re all attractive, but the first one is too bland for my liking. The second one is lovely, but is too “perfectly round”. The fourth one looks like it has served its purpose and needs to be cut back. But the third one – ahhh, that’s the one! So bright and colorful! So full! I just love it, it’s perfection!

    Don’t get me wrong, I’d gladly take any one of these if it were offered to me. The above was just my mental “process of elimination” towards picking my favorite! I really would like to be able to put one of these together!

    Reply
    • Leslie,

      I know you can do it!! Since they’ve been on your mind in the past, you can now take a chance & try your hand at making one! What do you have to lose? If all else fails… simply stick the cuttings out in the garden 😉

      * About the “fav” wreath…
      That’s the beauty of these living wreaths… you can pick your most favorite cuttings & then arrange them in any way that pleases you!

      Let us know how your new creation comes along 😉

      Pearl

      Reply
  3. Wow, those are gorgeous! I am loving your blog! I just came by today via a link to your gorgeous newspaper beads. They’re amazing! I would love to link to some of your projects if you didn’t mind.

    Reply
    • Rachel,

      Thanks for coming by, and for your kind words. Feel free to link to any project – as long as you link to the article itself – and not just the images… but I know you already know that 🙂

      Reply
  4. Pearl, these are so nice! I’d love to try making one, but the how-to video link seems to be gone. Has it been taken down? And the additional tips about rotating, watering, and leaving it flat at first are great! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Wow Pearl thats fabulous!!!
    I especially love that first one, the colors are so beautiful! I have some Echeveria and Sempervivum in my Garden but I never thought of making a wreath out of them!
    Great idea!
    Warmest wishes sends you
    Carola

    Reply
  6. I have been eyeing these wreaths in magazines for some time. I love the 2nd “perfectly round one” and the 3rd “colorful” one. I think my biggest fear about making one myself is how long it might take. In the video (which was great), there were two ladies working on it eventually. I love your site too!

    Reply
  7. Hi…I finally made my first two wreaths. It was so easy thanks to your video. They turned out beautifully and I am not a crafty person. I am hooked. I have to figure where to buy the ring for less than five dollars. Do you know where I can buy them? Thanks so much.

    Reply
  8. Where do I get the products to make a wreath, like the hooks
    and ring? I love your work and hopefully make something
    half as nice.

    Reply
    • Linda – You are able to get the wreath making ring at any craft store, or even in a dept store’s craft area. They only cost a few dollars & can be used over & over.

      Reply
  9. These are simply gorgeous! I was just about to start assembling one, when I checked the web one last time for reference, and man, am I glad I did! Now I feel like I need to go and get a bigger assortment than what I have. VERY inspirational! Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Love the top photo. Could you tell me what plants you used and where I can finde them? I can’t find the purple hen and chick anywhere.

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  11. Pearl – I am not a succulent fan but these wreaths are absolutely beautiful and my neighbor loves succulents. I would love to see the video so I can make her one for her birthday. Is this possible? thanks for sharing your talents and photos.
    Darci

    Reply
  12. Hi, we dont have these here in the UK. I have everything ready to try it out but can’t see how the succulents grow without soil? I saw one video which said they should last a year and it only had moss, but I would like one which is permanent as succulents are quite slow growing here. Have you any suggestions regarding nutrition and how to incorporate a growing medium, or does the moss provide that somehow?
    Many thanks
    Pam

    Reply
    • Pam,
      When you buy your succulents, they will come planted in their own soil. So, when you take those plants & insert them into the moss, the soil will be there for them to grow in. As far as nutrition goes, succulents don’t need much…which is why they are easy & fun to grow 🙂

      Reply
  13. Pearl,
    Just this year I have started to just fall in love with the succulents. All the shape sizes bright colors. Now my problem is finding them in the bright beautiful colors and shapes. I have so many ideals for them. I do have a few questions about the living wreath. When making is there a special kind of moss or any work. As well as the succulents can any succulent be used. I’m very excited to make one of these as well.. And thanks so much for sharing them.

    Reply
  14. I’m on this site because of that gorgeous purple wreath. I have no green thumb, but have grown to really like some succulents.
    I’m in dry, So Cal and have removed our grass for a drought-tolerant yard.
    Then I made the mistake of opening Pintrest the other day and happened to see a terrarium. After several pins, I saw that wreath!
    I NED TO KNOW what the blue and purple succulents are!!!! I WANT THEM!

    Reply
  15. I have never ever seen succulents that kind of purple … (the top one) do you know how they achieved this color or what they are called to buy them (which I don’t think you can find them) … wondering what technique they used? Any information?

    Reply
  16. I loved your video and am attempting my first wreaths for myself and a friend. I will be keeping my on my patio for the summer where it will get lots of sun and hopefully grow to be as beautiful as yours. My question is about overwintering these living wreaths. I live in PA and winter can sometimes be harsh. I do have a screened porch that is protected from direct weather but didn’t know if it would be safer to bring the wreath inside. Can you share your thoughts and experience on this, please?

    Reply

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