DIY Succulent Ideas For The Holidays

Well, it’s that time of the year again. Streets lit up with pretty fairy lights and Christmas carols being sung everywhere!

Holidays undoubtedly one of the most magical times of the year. But you know what can make it even better? More succulents!

Yes, that’s right. You can incorporate your lovely green pals into your holiday decorations. Ready to spice up your house with some DIY holiday decorations using succulents?

We can’t wait!

Succulent Christmas Tree

As a succulent enthusiast, succulent Christmas trees are the trendiest festive decorations that you can make yourself at home. Then call friends over to boast about your masterpiece!

But in total seriousness, it makes perfect sense to use your lovely succulents to make a giant, or a mini Christmas tree this year. We have seen lots of succulent trees pop up on Instagram and Pinterest, and rightfully so.

Since it is winter, these beauties do not need much watering, maybe just once a month. So, that should be easy, right? On top of that, you have the total freedom to determine the size of your tree.

If you want them as a replacement for the conventional tree, or you want to keep it as a tabletop in your studio apartment — it completely depends on you!

Also, think about how much waste you will be reducing this year. Contributing to the wellness of the earth, especially when climate change has got to the point of no return, small steps as such can do so much good.

First, gather your supplies:

You can make your Christmas tree using one of the three options for the conical frame.

• Chicken wire
• Metal frame
• Floral foam

After you have decided on your frame, get these supplies:

• Sphagnum moss
• A base (can be a thick wood slice or a pot)
• Potting soil if you’re getting a pot
• Breathable fabric if you’re using the metal frame
• Pins (floral or sewing – the longer, the better)
• A mix of small, medium and large succulent cuttings
• Decorative star (optional)

What succulents can you use?

You can use any succulent as per your liking. However, we suggest getting the cuttings of succulents like Echeveria, Aeonium, Crassula, Sempervivum, Sedum, Agave, and Cotyledons.

Bring as many varieties, colors, and textures that you want. Or you can keep it simple by picking a single color or a single type.

Seriously, this is your mini Christmas tree, and you can style it the way you want.

Step 1:

Pre-soak the sphagnum moss in a bucket of water.

Step 2:

If you are using chicken wire, create a cone shape out of the chicken wire and pin it together.

If you are using the metal frame, line inside of the frame with a breathable liner.

Step 3:

Fill the cone with sphagnum moss, draining out as much as water you can. And press it firmly inside.

Step 4:

Add some potting soil to the pot and then stand the cone or the floral foam on the pot. Then, plant larger succulents around the edge of the pot.

Step 5:

Make a hole using clean scissors or chopsticks, and add succulent cutting as per your liking. Pin the cuttings firmly into the cone or floral foam.

Repeat this process until you can sufficiently cover up the entire cone with succulent cuttings.

Step 6:

Fill the gaps with either moss or tiny cuttings.

There, your extremely-awesome and environment-friendly Christmas tree is made. Now, you can add a decorative star at the top to pull the look together for Christmas! You can also wrap your new Christmas tree in fairy lights to make it look even more festive!

Succulent Ornaments

Don’t worry if you cannot make the Christmas tree. It does require lots of cuttings and a couple of hours to make. But you can easily make these succulent ornaments for your Christmas tree that is going to keep you in Santa’s good list.

You can either make a terrarium to mimic the actual Christmas ornaments. Or, you can use burlap to give your little succulents a DIY pot.

Making terrarium ornaments:

These are pretty fancy, and you can use them after Christmas as well, to decorate your house.

So, gather these materials for your exotic Christmas ornament!

• Ornament with opening
• Small succulent cutting
• Active charcoal
• Stones
• Succulent or cactus potting mix

Step 1:

Take your ornament and add a layer of active charcoal. This prevents mold and bacteria from forming.

Step 2:

Add some stones to even out the weight since the succulent cutting is going to be on the heavy side for the ornament.

Step 3:

Place little potting mix in the center. You can use more stones to make a border around the soil, so it looks cleaner.

Step 4:

Now take a small cutting of succulent and add it to your terrarium ornament.

Now, you can decorate it with Christmas stickers and twines, or how you like it to be. It is ready to hang on the tree and radiate the true Christmas spirit!

Making succulent globe with burlap

You can use this as a beautiful ornament for the tree or use it as a kissing ball.

Materials you will need:

• Burlap
• Twine
• Floral wire
• Succulent or cactus potting mix
• Succulent cuttings

Step 1:

Cut a square piece of burlap and add some potting soil in it.

Step 2:

Roll it into a sphere with the soil inside and fix the burlap securely using some twine.

Step 3:

Use a stick to poke a hole and secure your succulent cutting in the ball. You can also use baby succulents with roots. Just make sure that there is enough space for the root while fixing it.

Step 4:

Now bend the floral wires into ‘U’ shape and give your succulents extra support by securing the plant with it.

Step 5:

Add as many succulents you want. Just leave a little space for the succulents to grow as time goes.

Your DIY succulent ornaments are ready to spice up your Christmas tree with more greenery! Your succulents will go on for some time before they need to be repotted. So, check on them time and again if you are planning to leave them as ornaments even after Christmas.