How to make a succulent Christmas tree: This is the modern alternative to the mini Christmas tree!

You think that mini Christmas trees are cute but are looking for a modern alternative? Then you can opt for a DIY succulent Christmas tree. The super cute miniature Christmas trees increase the anticipation of the coming holiday and are the perfect decoration for the pre-Christmas season.

How to make a succulent Christmas tree: instructions

The classic Christmas tree is too boring for you? We think so too and are currently looking for alternatives in small format because this year there is no suitable place in our office where we can put up a large tree.

That’s why we decided on a mini Christmas tree. It should look modern so that it blends harmoniously with the furnishings and the rest of the festive decorations and preferably not bring any additional dirt (last year the fir tree lost a lot of needles). A succulent Christmas tree, on the other hand, is a puristic alternative that lasts a long time and remains compact at the same time. Perfect for those that have little available space.

Make a modern alternative to the traditional trees with floral foam?

Nowadays succulents can be found in almost every house. They are very easy to care for, compact and can also do without water for longer periods.

For the first project you will need 2 green floral foam cones, about 40 cm/16 inches high. You will also need need about 50 succulents in different sizes, a green bowl or a green plate, 1 skewer and a pack of toothpicks.

Proceed as follows: First poke holes in the floral foam with the skewer and then insert the succulents into the holes. Cover the floral foam with small succulents and then fill in the gaps with large succulents, dried flowers or fresh blooms. Large succulents can also be attached with toothpicks. Wrap long branches of a climbing plant around the succulent tree as a garland.

How to care for your succulent Christmas tree?

Now you should think about where you want to put the succulent tree. Known for their excellent water-retaining properties, the plants can easily thrive in a hot place with direct sunlight. However, since it gets cold in the evenings in their home countries and the temperatures can drop sharply at night, they thrive without any problems even at 5 degrees Celsius/41F. Even more so – they actually need this cold to feel good.

There are also hardy species that you should use if you want to put the Christmas tree outside. Such are, for example, the houseleek, the stonecrop and the goldmoss stonecrop.

Succulents can cope with little water. Place the arrangement in a sunny spot in the room (e.g. on a window sill) and water it from time to time. It is better to water sparingly, because the succulents will soak up water and can rot if they are overwatered.

Plant the mini Christmas tree

The first craft instructions were for cut flowers and the succulents were attached to floral foam. Another option is to plant the succulents. For this purpose you need a wire cone shape, geotextile fabric and a mix of different succulents. You will also need accessories: a bucket, a bowl, succulent potting mix, scissors, possibly Christmas tree decorations such as stars, garlands, Christmas balls, etc.

Instructions: First put the sphagnum moss in the bucket. Fill the bucket with enough water to just cover the moss. Let it swell in the water. Cut the fabric to size and use it to line the inside of the cone. Fill the moss into the cone, first gently squeezing the natural material with your hands. You can then place the cone upright in the center of the bowl and fill in the gaps with a mixture of moss and succulent potting mix. Plant several large succulents.

Now you have to cut small slits in the fabric with scissors or a cutter knife and put the roots of the succulents in the holes. Work from the bottom up and place the large plants first. Only then can you arrange the small plants. You can fill in the gaps with moss. After that, all that remains is to decorate the succulent Christmas tree as you wish.

It is best to use other decorations made from natural materials. Dried flowers, wooden stars, fabric garlands add the finishing touches to the design. But you can also do without additional decoration and simply display the mini Christmas tree in its natural look.

The mini Christmas trees are perfect to give as gifts. They are compact, undemanding and look good in any interior, especially, the floral foam version, which can be easily transported. In our office, the colleagues decided on the planting option. We would like to try planting the succulents soon. Then it will be a matter of watering the plants from time to time and placing them on a sunny spot. As we don’t leave the heating on overnight, after the end of the working day it gets cold and temperatures drop to 8 degrees Celsius/46F, so the succulents should be comfortable.

Also read: 6 Creative Ideas for Christmas Tree Alternatives for Cat Owners