Spring Decor Idea: DIY Succulent Wreath
- Molly Ishmael
- Mar 21, 2022
- 8 min read
Last week I made my first ever succulent wreath. Overall, I love how it turned out, though I learned some things along the way that would have made things easier. This post contains all the details, from what you can expect to pay for good quality faux plants to DIY wreath-making tips and tricks!
Also, there are a few things I could have done differently and those ideas are included, too. If you'd like to make a wreath like this, or any wreath since most of the tips could translate for multiple styles, just read on. And don't forget to comment below with your own ideas; I'm still learning how to put together wreaths and I definitely appreciate feedback!
My first succulent wreath!
Price Comparison and Convenience vs. the Love of Crafting
Of course, cost is not the only consideration for those of us who love crafting! Even when all things are equal, many of us simply enjoy the process of making something ourselves. I love totally customizing and personalizing a piece as well as enjoying the mental relaxation that comes with focusing on something so quiet - and hopefully, something that will be beautiful when it's done!
However, in general, before making something myself I like to compare retail prices, as occasionally it works out better just to buy something compared to trying to source all the supplies and figure out how to create it. But in the case of large succulent wreaths, it turns out it's generally more affordable to make one. In fact, I was astounded at what these cost retail!
So in case you're interested, below is a comparison to similar items available for sale. For reference, everything below is 18-20" (the size I made was 20") and heavy with succulents which is the look I wanted:
Retail Comparison #1: $480 plus tax
This 20" ready-made wreath will save you a few hours... but it will cost you almost $500.
One of the first results I got in my search for the perfect succulent wreath was this one from Succulent Artworks.
It costs $480.00.
Well, I must need a coat of paint because my blue collar roots are showing! As my dad would say, does the wreath sing and dance? Haha:) I certainly mean no offense to the maker as I'm sure it's absolutely beautiful, but I simply can't justify the cost.
Surely Etsy will have better prices, no? Well, yes, but not by as much as I expected...
Retail Comparison #2: $395 plus tax
This 18" wreath is by the same maker as the other one above, but it's slightly smaller and still costs almost $400.
At this point I started to disbelieve my eyes. I've bought 24" wreaths for $70 each in the past, so the fact that 20" inch succulent wreaths are clocking in at nearly $400 and $500 was really shocking. I found out why when I started searching for product myself; it turns out that faux succulents are some of the most expensive items in the floral aisle at the craft store. Naturally, crafters have to pass on that cost plus their own labor, shopping, packing, shipping, etc. So I'm not saying these makers don't deserve the prices they're charging as I'm sure they do, but hey, if I can do it myself for less, I certainly will. After all, I do call myself a DIY diva!
Retail Comparison #3: $285 plus tax
This 20" live succulent wreath for sale on Etsy costs almost $300.
Believe it for not, $285.00 for the wreath above was one of the best prices I could find online for anything that looked similar to what I wanted... but that's for a LIVE wreath and needs to one watered. Granted, it has great reviews so it must not be too easy to kill, but I don't want to worry about keeping my wreath alive especially at that price. If I pay $285 the wreath better last the rest of my life, haha!
Retail Comparison #4: $119 plus tax
This 20" live succulent wreath is $119 on Etsy; the maker says it lasts 6-12 months.
This last one is obviously the lowest price for the general look and size I wanted, but with a catch: it's also live like the one above, and the creator says you can only expect it to live 6-12 months. All I can think about is what happens when I take it down for Christmas to replace it with a holiday wreath? Does it just hang in the garage and die then I have to buy a new one every spring? No way, Jose! At this point I decided that I'd figure out how to make this puppy myself!
My Cost
Reality check complete, I accepted the fact that succulent wreaths cost more than the average wreath. At the craft stores I visited, each succulent pick was regularly priced around $4 - $8 each, though I did find some on sale. In the end, my creation including the base boxwood wreath and all succulents cost $120 total and I expect it to last for many years. I bought some succulent picks for 40% off at Michaels, some were full price at Hobby Lobby (hint: floral "accents" aren't included in floral sales there), and the boxwood wreath I used as a base was 50% off also from Hobby Lobby. After comparing retail prices and considering that I enjoy making things myself, I'm happy with my decision to craft versus buy in this case, plus I got to create exactly the look I wanted!
Surprise! After I was all done, I found succulent clips at our local Dollar Tree for $1.25 each.
BONUS TIP: And after all that, I actually found succulent picks can you believe it at the Dollar Tree! They aren't as large as some of the others I bought, but they appear to be pretty good quality and they're very colorful! So if you want to save yourself a few more buckaroos, perhaps check out your local dollar store and supplement your larger picks with a few smaller clips to fill in your wreath at the low, low price of $1.25 each.
Well, shopping complete, here's how I made my wreath!
How to Craft a Faux Succulent Wreath
My rough set up of the wreath laying on the Hobby Lobby floor.
STEP ONE: Source Coordinating Products
First of course is shopping! I didn't want to buy online in this case, as I wanted very particular plants with certain colors and sizes that I wanted to be able to look at and feel with my own hands. Specifically, I wanted plump-looking succulents with hints of purple and blue to contrast with green and also to coordinate with our soon-to-be-built house's teal front door. I also didn't want to use a plain grapevine wreath (the brown stick-looking wreaths) because although they're much cheaper, I'd just have to buy more picks to fill it in anyway. So I started out with an already-green wreath as a base. Here exactly is what I ended up buying:
20 inch boxwood wreath at H.L. for 50% off
15 big and colorful succulent picks from H.L. at full price, in groups of three each
9 smaller and lightweight succulent picks at Michaels for 40% off, in groups of three each
Once you've gathered your supplies, lay out wreath the way you want it to look. Ideally, do this before you buy anything; it really helped me see which picks looked best. PLUS when I tried lifting the first wreath that I laid out, it felt like it weighed about 30 pounds haha, so I ditched the largest and heaviest picks at that point. Seeing as wreaths need to hang on doors after all, you don't want to accidentally create one that is too heavy or it can droop and misshape itself from the weight.
TIP: Lay out the wreath in the craft store to see what plants look best and how many you need for the wreath to look full.
Here's an artificial boxwood wreath available on Amazon for convenience. However, if you buy from Hobby Lobby or Michaels instead, you can look for a sale or coupon!
Clear some work space on your counter (or floor, in my case.)
STEP TWO: Prep Supplies & Work Space
Now that you're back home, clear a work space and get our your supplies!
Besides the base wreath and additional picks, you'll need these supplies on hand:
Wire cutters
Scissors
Pipe cleaners or floral wire
Before starting, again lay out the wreath and then remove the tags after you're SURE you want to keep everything you bought!
Wire cutters for crafting.
TIP: Have a work space and additional supplies ready so you don't have to go BACK to the craft store in the middle of the project.
Remove the outer tubes to expose the wires.
STEP THREE: Strip the Picks (partially)
Now that you're ready to seriously start, make things easier on yourself by stripping off the ends of the picks if they're covered in thick silicone coating like mine were. It's WAY easier to push them into place that way. Unfortunately, I found this out the hard way after trying to jam thick plastic tubes into grapevine and getting a nasty splinter. I won't make that mistake again!
TIP: Help yourself (and your fingertips) out by prepping each pick before attempting to attach it.
Stick all the picks in the wreath.
STEP FOUR: Stick the Picks!
After removing troublesome plastic coatings, simply stick the picks right into the wreath base in the pattern you previously laid out. Make sure to face the ends the same way all the way around, if that makes sense. That way your wreath looks more professional and thoughtfully crafted in the end.
TIP: Aim all the floral picks the same way for a cohesive look.
Take a step back and check your work.
STEP FIVE: Double Check Before Tying Anything
Before I tied anything together, I set the wreath on my coffee table to just make sure it looked right. When I was satisfied and had made a few adjustments, I moved on to the last step.
TIP: Measure twice, cut once, kind of a thing... :)
Tighten every pick and tie them on if needed.
STEP FIVE: Tie it all Together (literally)
Now use your pipe cleaners or floral wire to tie the picks to the wreath base, again making sure their own weight doesn't pull them out of place. Try holding up the wreath the way it will actually hang and make sure nothing falls off or moves.
Personally, I like the wreath to look a little bit wild. Not disheveled or sloppy, but also not too rigidly perfect. It's supposed to be a recreation of something that was is alive, so you want a few tendrils or leaves to appear to be growing their own way.
TIP: Make the ties in the back of the wreath where they won't be noticed.
Once you're done, tie it all together using these green pipe cleaners. They're so easy to work with!
Hang the wreath and enjoy your work!
Finally, perhaps add a bow (I went black and white, of course) and hang your new wreath on the front door to enjoy all spring and summer long! I plan to leave this pretty gal on the door thought out the warm weather months until it's time to change out the seasonal decor next fall.
Alternative Idea: If you just don't want to take the time or spend the money to make a wreath as heavy with succulents as those I featured above, in my travels I did encounter this affordable version from Amazon. Granted, it does not have amount of succulents the more expensive versions have, but for the price I'd say it's a pretty good find. Also, you could always clip on a few additional succulents from Dollar Tree (now I know:) if you want to make it more succulent-y.
If your wallet prefers a budget version, this pre-made succulent wreath has good reviews.
Wrapping up... For me, I'm definitely glad I made my wreath AND that I went the faux-floral route versus trying to deal with a live wreath. There's no need to water mine or worry about keeping it alive between seasons. As much as I love plants, a live wreath seemed like too much work considering I'd still have to change it at least yearly. But I know there are folks out there that love them! I wonder if any of you ever had a live wreath?
Or have you ever made another type of wreath you'd like to share? I'd love to see photos of your creations!
With Love,
Molly
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