How to Make a Live Succulent Wreath: A Step-by-Step Tutorial for Beginners

If you’ve been looking for a creative and beautiful way to display succulents, making a live succulent wreath is the perfect project. A live succulent wreath makes a stunning piece of living wall art, a one-of-a-kind gift, or a gorgeous focal point for your front door or garden space. The best part? You don’t need to be a master gardener to pull it off. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll walk you through exactly how I made my own live succulent wreath. It was made by using a SuperMoss Sphagnum Moss Living Wreath Form, some floral U-pins, and a collection of colorful succulents. This beautiful living wreath is easy to create. You will enjoy hanging it on your porch or door, too!

What is a succulent?

A succulent is a type of plant that stores water in its leaves, stems, or roots, giving them their characteristic thick, fleshy appearance. The word “succulent” actually comes from the Latin word sucus, meaning “juice” or “sap”.

Their plump, rubbery leaves and stems act as reservoirs, allowing them to survive long periods without rainfall or watering. Because they store their own water, they are highly adapted to dry, arid environments and can withstand periods of neglect far better than most plants. Most succulents have relatively shallow roots, which is part of why they work so well in wreaths, living walls, and container arrangements.

They come in an enormous range of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, from the classic rosette shape of Echeveria to the spiky form of Aloe and the trailing strands of String of Pearls. Cacti are technically a subset of succulents, though people often think of them as separate categories.

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Live Succulent Wreath: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

What You Will Need

Before you get started, gather the following supplies:

• SuperMoss Sphagnum Moss Living Wreath Form – Round, Natural/Organic, 11″ Diameter
• 1.7″ Floral U-Pins – to secure succulents in place
• Assorted succulents – a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes work beautifully
• A screwdriver or similar pointed tool
• A large bowl or bucket of water (garage sink)
• A potting table or flat work surface

1. Soak The Wreath Form

The first step to creating a thriving live succulent wreath is properly hydrating your wreath form. Place the SuperMoss Sphagnum Moss Living Wreath Form in a large bowl or bucket filled with water. Allow it to soak fully until the moss is completely saturated. This process will usually take about 10–15 minutes. The sphagnum moss is what will provide moisture to your succulents’ roots as they establish themselves, so thorough soaking is important. Once saturated, remove the form and allow any excess water to drain before moving on to the next step.

2. Set Up Your Work Surface

Lay the soaked wreath form flat on your potting table or another clean, stable work surface. Working on a flat surface makes it much easier to insert and position your succulents evenly. Before you start planting, take a moment to plan your design. Arrange your succulents loosely around the wreath form to get a feel for color placement, variety, and spacing. A mix of rosette-shaped succulents in varying sizes creates a lush, full look that makes a live succulent wreath truly eye-catching.

3. Prepare Your Succulents

If your succulents are still potted, gently remove them and shake off any excess soil from the roots. Succulents with smaller root systems or cuttings that have been allowed to callous over work especially well for this project. Cuttings should be left out for 24–48 hours before use to allow the cut ends to dry and reduce the risk of rot. Removing the lower leaves from the stem can also help give you a bit more stem length to work with when inserting them into the moss form.

4. Poke Holes in the Wreath Form

Using a screwdriver, gently poke holes into the sphagnum moss wreath form where you plan to insert each succulent. The holes should be deep enough to hold the succulent stem snugly but not so large that the plant becomes loose. This step makes inserting the succulents much easier and helps prevent damage to the delicate stems. Work your way around the wreath, creating holes in your planned design pattern before you begin planting.

5. Insert The Succulents

Now comes the most satisfying part, planting! Take each succulent and gently insert the stem into the pre-poked hole in the sphagnum moss form. Push the stem in firmly so it sits securely. Work from the center outward, or start with your largest succulents as anchor points and fill in around them with smaller varieties. Continue inserting succulents until the wreath form is fully covered to your liking. For a full, abundant look, place succulents close together, allowing their leaves to overlap slightly.

6. Secure with Floral U-Pins

Once each succulent is in place, use your 1.7″ floral U-pins to secure them firmly to the moss form. Simply press the U-pin over the base of the succulent stem and push both ends into the moss. This is the secret to keeping your live succulent wreath looking perfect — the U-pins prevent the succulents from shifting or falling out while they take root. Use as many pins as needed; there’s no such thing as too many when it comes to keeping your arrangement tidy and secure.

7. Let It Rest Flat Before Hanging

After all your succulents are planted and pinned, allow the wreath to rest flat for two to four weeks before hanging it vertically. This resting period gives the succulents time to establish their roots in the sphagnum moss so they can support themselves when hung. Keep it in a spot with bright, indirect light during this time and mist lightly every few days if the moss begins to feel dry.

Caring for Your Live Succulent Wreath

Once your live succulent wreath is ready to hang, here are a few care tips to keep it thriving:

• Light: Place in bright, indirect light or a spot with a few hours of morning sun. Avoid harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
• Watering: Take the wreath down approximately once a week, submerge it in water for 10–15 minutes, then allow it to drain completely before rehanging.
• Indoor vs. Outdoor: This wreath works beautifully both indoors and outdoors in mild climates. Bring it inside during frost or extreme heat.
• Trimming: As succulents grow, trim any stems that extend too far to maintain the shape of the wreath.
• Fertilize: Yes, but sparingly. There is no need to fertilize succulents in winter when they’re semi-dormant, as they don’t need a nutrient boost because they are not actively growing.
• Winter: During fall and winter, many succulents enter dormancy, requiring less water to avoid root rot. Reduce watering significantly, only hydrating when the soil is completely dry, and avoid fertilizing. Let them rest during this time.

FAQ

Can succulents live outside? Yes! Succulents thrive in sunny locations with warm, dry climates and can tolerate some neglect, making outdoor growing a great option. I love using them in wide, shallow containers, a living wreath, a vertical wall planter, or in a rock garden. They are drought-tolerant plants.

How much sunlight do outdoor succulents need? Almost all succulents prefer full sun. Succulents should be placed in an area with at least six hours of direct sun each day.

What type of soil is best for outdoor succulents? Succulents have shallow root systems and prefer well-draining soil. Loose, rocky, nutrient-rich soil works best.

How often should I water outdoor succulents? Outdoor succulents may require watering every 7–10 days, especially in hot and dry climates. In humid regions, water less often, as the air’s moisture slows soil drying. If the soil is dry to the touch, it is time to water. Caution: Overwatering succulents can cause them to rot.

What are the signs of overwatering or underwatering? Mushy, yellow leaves and blackened roots indicate rot from overwatering. You may even see mold in your pot or on the plant(s).

When should I bring outdoor succulents inside? When temperatures drop below 40°F, succulents can start to feel the cold and may freeze. This is the time to bring them indoors. Spring you can put the container of succulents back outside.

Do succulents change color outdoors? Yes, and it’s a fun fact. Sunlight can surprise you with color changes in the foliage of the plant. For outdoor succulents, the weather can dictate when the plant goes dormant or becomes active. The warm temperatures can trigger new babies, color changes, or blooms. New babies (new growth) can be moved into a new container for your indoor or outdoor use.

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Final Thoughts

Making a live succulent wreath is a wonderfully rewarding project that combines creativity with a love of plants. With the right supplies, a little patience, and this step-by-step guide, you’ll have a beautiful piece of living art to enjoy for months to come. Whether you’re making one for your own home or as a gift, a live succulent wreath never fails to impress!

I hope you give this project a try. It would make a wonderful housewarming, birthday, or Mother’s Day Gift.

Happy gardening, sweet friend!