How to Make a Succulent Wreath

Succulents are sturdy, low-maintenance plants ideal for any drought-tolerant garden in the summer, although this wreath will last year-round. The fillable metal base can be changed with the seasons.

It's easy to make a wreath in any style. This fillable metal base—combining elements of the Himmeli-inspired geometric shape in a brass finish—can be decorated with fresh flowers, foraged evergreen branches, or small ornaments. Hang it on the front door and swap out elements to change as the seasons do. For summer, we used growing succulents including aeonium, crassula, echeveria, gasteria, haworthia, kalanchoe, sedum, and sempervivum varieties. To water the wreath, submerge in water for ten minutes; allow to dry completely between watering. Fertilize about once every six weeks.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Fillable wreath base
  • Assorted succulents
  • Scissors
  • Sphagnum moss
  • Moistened soil
  • Copper wire, 18-Gauge
  • Pencil
  • Floral pins
  • Fertilizer
  • Hanging chain and S hooks (optional)

Instructions

  1. Succulent cuttings should be two to three inches long, the bottom inch free of leaves. Spread in a single layer on a tray and keep dry. In a day to a week, calluses will form over cut ends; new roots will sprout along the stems. (Tip: If a cutting is planted before a callus forms, or if it gets wet at this stage, the plant will rot, not root.)

  2. Soak a one-inch-thick mat of sphagnum moss, three times the diameter of the frame, in water overnight and drain well. Cover the wreath base with moist soil. Fold moss around the base and secure by wrapping with copper wire.

  3. To plant, make holes with a pencil point and insert the callused ends of cuttings. (Tip: Tweezers and forceps make planting easier.) Press moss around the roots and secure with floral pins, if necessary. Don't bunch them too tightly as they need room to grow.

  4. Allow the wreath to rest in a horizontal position for about two weeks. The succulents will take approximately 6 months to fully grow, depending on their environment. Don't hang upright until roots have fully grown. Optional: Attach the ends of chain to S hooks; pull a third hook through middle of chain and hang.

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