Make a succulent wreath for Christmas and beyond. This living wreath will easily last until the next holiday season as the succulent cuttings will develop roots in time.

Words: Jane Wrigglesworth

Either use this living wreath as a table centrepiece with a candle in the middle, or hang it on your front door or on a fence in your yard. As succulent wreaths can be heavy when wet, make sure you use a sturdy hanger.

This wreath has around 30 succulent stems (including Echeveria, Haworthia, Crassula ovata (jade plant), Sempervivum (houseleek) and Kalanchoe) in it, some large and some small. If short on succulents, fill in the wreath with plants from the garden until the succulents grow larger.

MATERIALS

Succulents (between 15 to 30 succulents, depending on size)
Chicken wire
Coir (use an old hanging basket liner)
Potting mix
Weedmat staples (or wire)
Awl (or something to poke holes in wreath base)
Wreath hanger
Wire (for tying)
Wire cutters
Christmas baubles (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Using wire cutters, cut a piece of chicken wire about 25cm x 70cm. Cover with a layer of coir.

Step 2: Place a thin layer of potting mix down the centre of the chicken wire and coir, about 3cm in from the edges.

Step 3: Roll the long edges together to form a sausage shape and tie together with pieces of wire.

Step 4: Shape into a circle and tie the ends together with wire.

Step 5: Using an awl, or some other instrument with a pointed end, poke holes in the wreath and insert succulent stems. Secure the stems with weedmat staples or wire.

Step 6: Wire in any Christmas baubles if using, then continue to fill your wreath with succulents.

Step 7: Lightly water the wreath, allow to drain, then hang.

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