Written by Vaughn Reints, SDSU Extension Horticulture Assistant, with direction, review, and contributions by Robin Buterbaugh, Prairey Walkling, and Kerry Pile.
If you’re already itching to get back into the garden, holiday gardening can give you a reason to stay green without waiting for spring. Holiday-themed pots and wreaths (both indoors and outdoors) add a fresh touch to the season and bring a little natural cheer to the holidays!
Holiday Greenery Ideas
Porch Pots
For an easy, yet impactful outdoor project, try refreshing your porch pots. First, pick a container (you can leave soil in or add sand). Gather some tall sticks or branches and stand them up in the pot. Add hardy winter greenery, such as pine, cedar, and spruce branches. Evergreens create a lush backdrop that holds color and shape, even in low temperatures. Mix in bright berry branches, decorative twigs, and pinecones to add texture and interest. Lastly, add some holiday bling, such as weather-safe ornaments, ribbons, or even Christmas lights. These festive pots bring character to any porch, entryway, or balcony, and they keep that gardening spirit alive through the winter months.
Wreaths
The wreath is another classic way to bring in the season, and there’s a lot of room to put your own spin on it. A basic wire frame and some sturdy evergreen clippings will form the base, but there’s no need to stop there. Mix in rosemary, eucalyptus, or other fragrant greens to create a wreath that’s as nice to smell as it is to see. Dried orange slices, pinecones, or holly add a pop of color and a rustic touch. For a little extra punch, consider small succulents, like sedums or echeverias, tucked into the wreath—they’ll last longer than flowers and give the wreath a unique texture. A handmade wreath is a satisfying project that brings an authentic, natural feel to holiday decorating.
Houseplants
Indoors, you can extend the holiday garden by adding a few hardy houseplants that thrive in winter. Poinsettias are the go-to classic, with bright reds and whites that can make any room feel festive. But there’s more to holiday houseplants than poinsettias. Consider bringing in a Christmas cactus, with its colorful blooms that can last through the season, or a kalanchoe, which holds its flowers for weeks. These succulents bring color without much fuss, thrive in indirect light, and they only need occasional watering, so they’re ideal for low-maintenance indoor greenery. An amaryllis is also great and fun to grow around the holidays.
Greenery Parties
Holiday gardening is also a great reason to gather with family or friends. Consider hosting a holiday greenery party where everyone can put together a wreath or a porch pot.
Set up a few tables with greenery, branches, decorative items, and some sturdy clippers, and everyone can leave with their own unique creation. It’s a simple, relaxed way to celebrate the season, especially if you add a pot of hot cider and a few holiday tunes in the background.
Conclusion
Homemade holiday greenery brings a festive, natural touch to the holiday season, brightening up both indoor and outdoor spaces, and keeping a bit of the gardening spirit alive all throughout the winter season in South Dakota.
These festive seasonal projects don’t require much time, money, or maintenance, and they offer gardeners a fun way to stay rooted in nature all season long!
This holiday season, gather up some of the materials mentioned above (along with a group of friends), get creative, and consider trying some of the these fun, holiday greenery ideas to create some holiday decor of your own!
