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This past weekend, I took the kids to a Christmas tree farm where we cut down our own tree and made wreaths with real greenery. Being surrounded by piles of fresh branches, berries, and leaves reminded me how many gorgeous holiday decorations you can create with plants that grow all around us. You don’t need to spend a ton on garlands or plastic décor when nature hands you so much for free.
Here are some of the easiest and most beautiful plants to forage for holiday decorating.
Evergreen Branches
Pine, fir, spruce, cedar, and other conifers are classic holiday staples. Their branches smell amazing and last a long time indoors. You can add them to mantels, centerpieces, or build your own wreaths.
Fallen branches are perfect for foraging, and pinecones are an easy bonus—great for bowls, ornaments, or adding texture to arrangements.
Red Berries
Plants like winterberry and holly offer bright red berries that are great for festive decor. A few berry-covered stems in a vase or wreath go a long way. Just be mindful of wildlife; birds rely on many berry-producing plants during winter, so only snip a small amount. And if you have pets or small kids, keep berries out of reach.
Dogwood Branches
Red osier dogwood is especially striking in winter thanks to its bold red stems. A handful of cut branches can deepen the color of a wreath or stand beautifully on their own in a simple vase.
Grapevines
When the leaves drop, grapevines are easy to gather and incredibly handy. You can twist them into natural wreath bases or just bend them into a circle and let them dry. Once you have the framework, decorate with conifer sprigs, pinecones, or eucalyptus for a naturally styled wreath.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a soft green color and has a clean scent, making it perfect for garlands, small bouquets, and wreaths. It dries beautifully, so whatever you create tends to last through the season.
Rosehips
After roses finish blooming, they leave behind bright red or orange rosehips. These look stunning in holiday arrangements and add color without overpowering everything else.
Magnolia & Boxwood
If you want greenery that holds up well, magnolia and boxwood are great choices. Magnolia leaves look beautiful with their deep green tops and velvety brown undersides. Boxwood branches work well in wreaths and garlands and keep their shape for a long time.
Dried Grasses & Seed Heads
Dried Ornamental grasses add softness and movement when tucked into centerpieces or vases. They also blend beautifully with pine and eucalyptus, giving arrangements a natural, layered look.
Fallen Branches
It’s easy to find fallen branches scattered beneath trees in your yard, neighborhood, or on a hike. You can use smaller twigs to add texture to wreaths or nestle them into garlands on a mantel. Longer, sturdier branches are great on their own in a tall vase, or laid flat along a table with pinecones, greenery, and candles. Look for branches with interesting curves, lichen, or a bit of moss to add character.
Moss
Moss helps fill in wreaths, cover the base of potted arrangements, or add a soft green layer to centerpieces.
