How to Care for a Fresh Wreath and Keep It From Drying Out
Fresh Christmas wreaths are a timeless and elegant way to decorate your front door for the holidays. They set the mood for the holiday season, welcoming guests for holiday parties, festive dinners, and cozy nights in. And don’t forget the smile it encourages every time you come home!
When properly cared for, a wreath can last you well from the end of fall into the new year. Whether you’ve taken a Christmas wreath workshop or bought one from your local Vancouver florist, here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your fresh wreath and make it last.
Where to Hang Your Wreath
Of course, the most common placement for a wreath is for your front door. There are many wreath hangers you can get that allow you to hang a wreath over the door without drilling any holes or using hooks.
Make sure the wreath hanger can accommodate the weight and size of your wreath (and that your wreath size matches your door in the first place).
Wreaths also work wonderfully when placed on a garden, sidewalk, or driveway gate. Another favourite spot is above or below porch lights and sconces. You can create wonderful symmetry if you have a light on either side of your front door to hang two wreaths.
Caring for Fresh Wreaths Outdoors
Most people choose to hang their wreath outside, both to avoid shedding needles and to prolong the life of the fresh greenery. With the right care, a fresh wreath can last for months. If you have a wreath ready in November, it should last you well until the new year if kept outside. You’ll likely compost it, not because it doesn’t look good, but because the holiday season is over.
Use Hydrated Stems
The key to making your fresh wreath last longer begins with using the right ingredients. Evergreens and shrubs with woody stems typically last the longest. They should be well hydrated before the wreath-making. A good florist will only provide the freshest, most-hydrated wreath ingredients.
Keep Your Wreath Cool
Cold and rainy climates (like here in Vancouver!) are perfect for evergreen wreaths. Cool air will help to prolong the life of your fresh wreath, which is why outdoors is the best place to hang your wreath. Avoid placing your wreath in direct sunlight.
Mist Your Wreath
Once hung, the wreath can be left untouched. If you’re experiencing warmer weather or want to prolong the wreath’s life as long as possible, you can mist the greenery to help keep it hydrated. Mist the back side since that’s where the majority of the stems are.
A good rule of thumb is to mist every 1-3 days. Avoid misting additional elements like ribbon, pinecones, or berries to prevent them from moulding.
Caring for Fresh Wreaths Indoors
It is possible to decorate your indoors with a fresh wreath! They look beautiful in an entryway, hanging on a cabinet or interior doors, or above the fireplace mantle.
You will have to adjust your expectations for an indoor wreath; it won’t last nearly as long indoors as it would outside. Most indoor wreaths can last up to two weeks, since they’ll dry out much quicker indoors.
Keep Your Wreath Hydrated
To help your wreath retain moisture, keep it away from heat sources (like that aforementioned fireplace mantle). A nearby humidifier can also help to hydrate your indoor wreath. Misting the entirety of the wreath daily can also go a long way.
Anti-Desiccant Spray
Let your florist know ahead of time where you plan on hanging your wreath. Anti-desiccant sprays can be applied to help seal in the pores on the stems and leaves to help the plants retain moisture.
But it goes both ways! Once sprayed with anti-desiccant, stems can no longer take in moisture as easily, so it is best applied for fresh wreaths that are going indoors as opposed to outdoors.
Fresh Christmas Wreaths in Vancouver
If you’re looking to host a wreath-making workshop for your Vancouver business or group of friends this holiday season, Heirloom Florals can help! We work only with high-quality and unique ingredients, so you can create a beautiful wreath to bring some festive cheer to your home this holiday season.
Want the work done for you? Let us create beautiful, fresh wreaths or florals for your holiday party. Contact us to book flowers for your holiday event.