How to Keep Live Wreaths Green

Caring for a live wreath is much the same as caring for a potted plant.

While there are plenty of gorgeous wreaths made from faux plants, there is something luxurious and extra special about a live wreath. As opposed to a fresh wreath, which is made from cuttings from live plants, a live wreath is constructed of live, rooted, actively growing plants that are planted in growing medium. Caring for a live wreath and keeping it green isn't difficult and is very similar to caring for a potted plant. There are, however, a few important steps to follow.

Things You'll Need

• Shallow pan
• Liquid fertilizer
• Plant shears
• Floral pins

Instructions

1. Look for a tag identifying the type of plant or plants in your wreath. If you cannot find one, ask the store or greenhouse what type of plant it is. Different plants have different light, water and fertilizer requirements, so it will be extremely helpful to know what types of plants you are caring for.

2. Fill a shallow pan with room temperature water and a few drops of liquid plant fertilizer, following the fertilizer manufacturer's guidelines for fertilizer-to-water ratio. Submerge the wreath's planting medium and roots and let it soak for about an hour. Hold the wreath up out of the water and let the excess water drain out. If the wreath was freshly watered just before you brought it home from the the store, you may skip this step for now and water the wreath in this manner once it has dried out. Keeping your wreath hydrated and fertilized properly goes a long way toward keeping it green and lush.

3. Hang your wreath in a spot with indirect light when you first bring it home. Even if the plants in your wreath require bright, direct sunlight, you'll want to hang the wreath in indirect light for a few days to acclimate your new plant to your home. Exposing your wreath to bright, hot, direct sunlight could scorch it and cause it to turn brown.

4. Move your wreath to its permanent spot in your home after about one week of acclimation. Depending upon the type of plants that make up your wreath, you may choose to hang your wreath in a bright sunroom, on the front door in full sun, on a shaded porch wall, or even inside your house. Choosing the best spot depends upon the plants and their light and temperature requirements, and how prominently you'd like the wreath displayed. Proper light is essential for growing green, healthy plants.

5. Repeat step 2 as necessary. If the planting medium feels very dry or the plants appear to wilt, it is time to water them. However, keep in mind that some plants prefer to dry out completely in between waterings, while others like to stay evenly moist at all times. Follow the watering requirements for the plants in your wreath.

6. Trim the plants as necessary if they begin to grow too long or large for the wreath. Another option is to use floral pins to hold the straggling shoots back into a wreath form.

7. Rotate or move the wreath as needed so that the plants grow evenly and your wreath keeps its uniform shape. For example, if one side of the wreath gets more sun, that side may grow larger and bushier than the rest, giving your wreath an uneven shape. Rotating the wreath from time to time will provide more even light.

References

• The Original Living Wreath: Care and Maintenance
• Houseplants for You: How to make a Living Wreath