How Do I Keep My Evergreen Wreaths and Garlands from Drying Out? – Black Gold (2024)

FAQs

How Do I Keep My Evergreen Wreaths and Garlands from Drying Out? – Black Gold? ›

Answer: You have a couple of options, use either evergreen preservatives or foliage sealers. For preservatives, you can purchase one or make your own. Then there's a matter of getting it into the wreath and/or garland branches.

Keep Them Cool

Cooler air will help keep your fresh evergreen arrangements from drying out as quickly. If possible, avoid putting these decorations in a room with an active fireplace, and avoid positioning them in direct sunlight or near heating vents or other breezes or drafts.

According to Low, a clear coat of either polyurethane or acrylic works well on wood-based materials. "Those will absolutely weatherproof your items," she explains.

The longevity depends on a few factors, including location, light level, moisture in the air, and temperature. Fresh garlands and wreaths can last 4 to 6 weeks, and up to 8 weeks in cooler climates.

Spray Sealers

Clear foliage sealers are purchased as sprays and are perfect for helping preserve garlands. They keep needles from desiccating and add a glossy finish. There are also glittery ones if you like that sparkly look.

To soak your garland, fill the bathtub with cold water deep enough to fully cover the top of the garland as it sits on the tub bottom. Leave your garland overnight or up to 24 hours in the cold water tub as it absorbs moisture. Then shake the garland dry, decorate with ribbons, and hang it wherever you please.

With proper care, your dried wreath should last several months or longer. When not being displayed, it is important to store your wreath in a cool, dry location away from heat and humidity.

To help your wreath last longer place it in a cool, dry, sheltered spot away from direct sunlight. If you are hanging your wreath indoors then avoid placing your wreath near a fire, radiator or sunny window. Avoiding freezing conditions will also help your wreath last for longer.

Will hairspray keep wreath fresh? ›

Preserve a Christmas wreath - To make the wreath last longer, grab your can of hair spray and spritz it all your fresh wreath. The hair spray traps the moisture in the needles.

Tip: if you want to keep your wreath looking new year after year, spray it with scotchgard outdoor sun & water shield! This will help prevent damage from UV rays and harsh weather!

Rust-Oleum 11 oz. Outdoor Fabric Water Repelling Treatment Spray 278146 - The Home Depot.

Keep Them in Water or Moist Florist Foam

Depending on the decoration at hand, sticking the ends in water or something moist, like florist foam, preserves them for longer. This is easier to do in certain crafts like a table centerpiece.

Juniper, white pine and Douglas fir are all good choices for an evergreen wreath. They will hold their needles for a long time without shattering. Some evergreens like spruce will shatter (or lose all its needles) when brought into a warm place so put a spruce wreath outside or in a cool, covered porch.

To keep cut greens fresher longer, place them out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat sources like vents, candles, and fireplaces. Keep it hydrated. Just like Christmas trees and holiday flowers, cut greens need water to stay fresh. Mist evergreen decor with water every two days to keep them healthy.

Wrap them in newspaper, tissue paper, plastic bags, bubble wrap, styrofoam, or anything else you have on hand that will keep them dry and protected. Even if they're not new Christmas decorations, you can ensure you'll have them for longer by keeping them dry and clean.