Celebrate the humble succulent plant by creating the perfect green-thumb twist on a festive favourite.
Easy to maintain and a joy to look at, succulent wreaths have taken the world by storm. Ideal for adding life to an outdoor wall, door or dining table, this exciting take on a traditional Christmas ornament is an eye-catching mix of textures and hues that will thrive in the warmer weather at this time of year. Known for their durability, working with succulents to create this beautiful accent piece makes this activity simple and enjoyable.
HOW TO CREATE A SUCCULENT WREATH:
You will need:
- A Sphagnum moss wreath frame (can be bought or homemade)
- A selection of succulent cuttings (cut a day or two prior to making wreath)
- A chopstick or pair of scissors
- Gardening pins
Steps:
- A day or two before making the wreath, select your succulent cuttings and trim the ends so the stem is one to two inches long. Allowing them to sit will help the cut ends callus, meaning the ends will form a thin layer of cells.
- Soften the Sphagnum moss wreath frame by allowing it to soak in water, making it easy to insert your cuttings.
- Plan the design of your wreath by laying the cuttings flat in a circle that is roughly the same size as the wreath. This way, you can rearrange the cuttings to form your desired pattern before inserting them into the wreath, which may make it difficult to change.
- Now that your design is clear, lay your wreath flat and start inserting your cuttings. Using the chopstick or the point of the scissors, poke a hole in the wreath and insert the cutting into the hole.
- If a cutting feels loose or will not hold its place, use gardening pins to secure the cutting.
- Finally, rearrange the plants carefully if anything doesn’t look quite right and add finishing touches by adding leaves or trimming overhanging plants.
Remember to let the wreath lie flat as it grows for the first month or two before hanging it on a wall or door. This allows the cuttings to become properly rooted in the frame. In the meantime, succulent wreaths make the perfect centrepiece for a natural, simplistic look for an outdoor or indoor table. Just remember to only water the wreath when it looks or feels dry. Water by lightly soaking, rather than surface spraying.
This article was originally published in Issue 8 – Bookworm’s Feast. You can purchase this issue and enjoy more enchanting content here.
