Come learn how to make a classic grapevine wreath, which can be made with a variety of other vines too. It’s really easy to do, especially with our simple tutorial – photos and video included! Once you have your rustic grapevine wreath base, you can use it as-is or decorate it with festive dry foliage, florals, beeswax fall leaves, dried citrus, and more.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of making a DIY grapevine wreath including alternative vine types to use, how to prepare the vines, weave them into wreaths of various sizes, and a few helpful troubleshooting tips along the way. At the end of this post, I’ve also included ideas for how to decorate grapevine wreaths, with the best materials to use and a TON of inspiration photos for every season!

When we moved to our new homestead a few years ago, I was tickled to find a massive established grape vine. We think it’s over 25 years old! In addition to feeding us delicious seedless red table grapes all summer, I love being able to use the vines to make homemade wreaths in the fall.

If you already have a vine wreath base, jump straight to the decorating section here.

A large grapevine is shown covering a long length of black vinyl fencing. It leaves are still green and many of its vines are reaching out away from the fence. There are fruit trees and wine barrels in the area with chili peppers growing in the containers. — One huge ancient grapevine that divides our raised bed garden and orchard areas.

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What kind of vines can I use to make wreaths?

Grape vines are traditionally used to make wreaths, including cultivated grapevines, wild grapevines, and muscadine vines. Wild grapes (Vitis spp.) grow in forested and riparian habitats in many parts of the country, so you may be able to forage and collect wild grape vines in your area. Though some wild grapes are technically native, they grow rampantly like invasive species, climbing up and choking out trees and other plants. So, don’t feel bad for harvesting wild grape vines!

In addition to grapevines, you can make DIY wreaths using honeysuckle, wisteria, Virginia creeper, clematis, willow, thornless blackberry canes, and more. Really, any vine that’s fairly thick, pliable, and that will dry hard should work. If you don’t have vines in your yard, visit family or friends where you can take a handful of vine cuttings from.

Making homemade wreaths is the perfect fall craft project while doing garden cleanup at the end of the season. I have even heard of folks using old luffa vines! I’ve made grapevine wreaths from freshly-pruned vines, as well as crusty older vines that I pruned and saved from the previous season. Both work great! One benefit of using older vines is that you don’t have to worry about them further drying or shrinking later.

An image from above of two circular, woven wood crafts laying on a red brick pathway. Oak leaves and African daisy plants border the edge of the path. — Two just-made grapevine wreaths – the top one using vines that I pruned last winter (about 9 months ago) and the bottom one using recently cut vines.

A close up image of a pruning shear getting ready to prune a vine from the main plant. A bunch of grapes is in the foreground of the image but it is out of focus.

Preparing and soaking vines to make wreaths

First, prune and collect several long vines. You’ll need anywhere from 5 to 10 vines to make an average size wreath, depending on the length of the vines. You can use vines ranging from 4 feet to 12 feet or longer. Shorter vines are ideal for making smaller grapevine wreaths. Longer vines are perfect to wrap around themselves in one continuous loop, but can be a little more cumbersome to work with too.

Next, remove all the leaves from the vines. I personally like to keep any curly-cue tendrils attached to the vines; they give our homemade grapevine wreaths more character!
Last but not least, I like to soak grapevines in water for a few hours (or overnight) to make them more supple and pliable before making the wreath.

A brick patio that contains many freshly pruned grapevines to be used in wreath making. The vines still have leaves and there are two brown tabby cats hanging out next to the vines. — The Tabby Twins (Badger and Bear) are always willing to oversee our garden projects.

Vines are laying out on a cement section background, their leaves have been stripped from the vines leaving them bare. — Leaves removed, curly tendrils left in place

A large metal water trough being filled up with water will vines are in the bottom of the trough, getting ready for a soak. — Time for a soak! I was honestly surprised that the old vines I’d pruned 9 months prior didn’t crack and break more while making the wreath. Soaking them overnight helped ALOT.

Instructions to Make a DIY Grapevine Wreath

Starting with the thicker end of the vine, create a loop in the size you want your wreath. A standard front door wreath is about 24 inches in diameter, though remember this is just the base if you plan to add extra frill. Also keep in mind that fresh vines will shrink slightly as they dry.
While holding the vine in a circle, grab and tuck the opposite tail end of the vine in and through the loop, just like you’re tying a knot. Pull it tight and wrap it against the base layer loop.
Working with the natural curve of the vine, continue to tuck and weave the free tail end of the vine back through and around the wreath circle – over and over until you reach the end of the vine.
Tuck the very tail end of the vine into a gap in the wreath to secure it. (Instructions continued below.)

A two part image collage, the first image shows two hands are being used to hold a vine in a circular shape while putting one end of the vine through the circle to start a weave. The second image shows the end being pulled through the circle for the weave. — Inserting the long end of the vine through the loop, like tying a knot

A two part image collage, the first image shows a vine in a circular shape with the tail end of the vine being pulled through the center to create a weave. The second image shows the tail end of the vine being pulled through the center a second time. — Continuing to loop the long end through and around the circle, several times

A two part image collage of continuing to weave the grapevine until you reach the vines end which is then tucked into the wreath to secure it. — Finished looping the first single vine, and tucking in the tail

Instructions continued

Next, insert the thicker end of a new vine in a gap somewhere along the wreath. While holding the end secure, repeat the same process of tucking and weaving the new vine around the loop of the first vine. Tuck in the end.
Continue to add more and more vines until the wreath has reached your desired thickness. Some folks like super full grapevine wreaths, while more slender, simple wreaths are very popular at the moment too!

A two part image collage, the first image shows a second vine being incorporated into the grapevine wreath by tucking one end into a section of the wreath. The second image shows the wreath after the second vine has been fully woven into the first vine. — Adding the second vine to the first loop

A two part image collage, the first image shows the wreath after a third vine has been woven into it. The second image shows the wreath after several vines have been woven into it. — Several vines later, I’m calling this one good!

Grapevine Wreath Making Troubleshooting and Tips

Don’t worry if the vines crack a bit as you’re working with them. If you continue to weave with the natural curve of the vine, grapevines can usually withstand some cracking but still stay intact.
If a vine snaps and completely breaks, just tuck in the loose end and pick up where you left off with another piece of vine.
If your homemade grapevine wreath has a wonky shape, don’t be afraid to gently push down to bend and lightly crack it into a nicer circular shape.
If you’re working with more slender pliable vines, you can also start your wreath loop with two or three vines clustered together at a time, and add several vines held together during each additional loop.

A view from above of six grapevine wreaths that are laying flat on the ground. They all vary in size and thickness depending on how many vines were used to make each one.

Alternative method to make a grapevine wreath

Rather than tucking and twisting the vines around themselves, you can also make a rustic grapevine wreath by gathering and looping the vines in a loose circle – like you’re rolling up an extension cord. Then use twine, cordage, or another pliable vine to secure the bundle of vines together into a wreath, wrapping in the opposite direction and in several places. See the photo below.

A circular, woven, wood craft with vine being used to hold the main bundle together. — This rustic grapevine wreath appears to be made by gathering vines into a circular bundle and securing it, rather than twisting the vines like we do.

Curing and drying fresh grapevine wreaths

Homemade wreaths made with fresh, just-pruned vines can shrink slightly as they dry. Plus, if you made your wreath with other types of extra-bendy vines, it’s best to let it fully dry before hanging it, or it may become misshapen. Therefore, it’s best to allow very fresh homemade vine wreaths to sit flat in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for a few days to several weeks to cure and dry before use. If you pruned your vines a week or longer before making the wreath, they’re good to go as-is.

How long do grapevine wreaths last?

Homemade grapevine wreaths last almost indefinitely! Especially if they’re stored and well cared for. At minimum, expect grapevine wreaths to last at least 4 to 5 years before they start to get brittle. If stored indoors in a protected location when not in use, they will last even longer.

DeannaCat is holding two grapevine wreaths, one of them has been decorated with eucalyptus leaves, dried orange slices, California buckwheat, and bread poppy seeds pods. The other wreath was made with newer vines and is more light brown to green in color, it is smaller in size and undecorated.

How to Decorate DIY Grapevine Wreaths

Now it’s time to decorate your homemade grapevine wreath! Use twine, floral wire, string, fuzzy pipe cleaners, or other ties to attach your choice of faux or dried foliage, flowers, herbs, dried citrus, beeswax leaves, and other seasonal goodies to the wreath. In some cases, you can simply stick and tuck stems into the wreath base without further securing them. See a full list of materials and tons of wreath decoration inspo photos below!

Keep it simple and add just a little bit of flair along the bottom or one side of your wreath, or go all-in and cover the entire grapevine wreath base. For full-coverage, it’s best to attach small bundles of materials in sections, layering one bundle on top of the other to cover the attachment points. You could even spray paint your grapevine wreath to be white-washed, gold, silver, black, or other colors. Get creative and have fun experimenting!

A circular woven wood craft with decorations of dried orange slices, eucalyptus leaves, California buckwheat, and bread poppy seed pods. — For this simple wreath, I was able to simply tuck in the eucalyptus, CA buckwheat and poppy stems right into the wreath base, then secure the dried oranges with wire.

A two part image collage, the first image shows a wooden wreath that has been painted gold with accents of pine foliage, pinecones, red berries, and ornaments. The second image is a Halloween inspired circular wreath that is completely black with cut out bats, black twigs, and an orange flower accent. — A couple of grapevine wreathes painted to match the vibe.

The Best Materials to Decorate Wreaths

Dried or silk flowers
Dried or faux foliage (eucalyptus is especially nice in wreaths)
Pinecones, acorns, rosehips, birch twigs, and other foraged materials
Beeswax fall leaves
Dry herbs, especially in bundles
Pampas grass, bunny tails, cat tails, or other long grasses
Cinnamon sticks, also great in bundles
Dried orange slices or other citrus
Fresh or faux evergreen bows (pine, fir, cedar, etc)
Ribbon, burlap, bows, or twine (classic or rustic)
Holiday ornaments and bells
Faux eggs, gourds, pumpkins, butterflies, bees, or other seasonal adornments
Dry breadseed poppy pods or other unique seed pods
Preserved moss and lichen
Holly or mistletoe
Air plants, faux succulents or artificial mushrooms
String lights or fairly lights, either plug-in or battery

I love to decorate my homemade grapevine wreathes with as many foraged materials from the garden as possible. Visit your local craft store or florist to pick up some supplies, or even a local park. Many dried or faux flowers and foliage can be found online too. If you also love to play with natural elements, don’t miss our DIY fall beeswax leaf garland tutorial or how to decorate with dried oranges!

A two part image collage, the first image shows a section of a circular wood craft decorated with pinecones, burlap bows, and a few red berries. The second image shows a circular wood craft hanging from a door, adorned with cinnamon stick bundles, dried oranges, and pine foliage that has been painted whitish gold. — A couple of fall-winter wreath ideas. See even more photos at the end of this post!

Which flowers dry best to use in wreaths?

When it comes to real dried flowers, “everlasting” flowers are the best choice to decorate a wreath – especially if you hope to use or store your decorated wreath for a long time. Lavender, hydrangea, helichrysum, statice, tansy, baby’s breath, strawflower, yarrow, amaranth, celiosa cock’s comb, bachelor buttons, roses, and sea holly all dry and hold up exceptionally well. It’s best to harvest and fully dry the flowers (usually hanging upside down) before adding them to your DIY grapevine wreath.

A vine craft laying on a table face up. It has been decorated with pink buckwheat, eucalyptus leaves, and bread poppy seeds pods.

How to decorate with grapevine wreaths (besides the front door)

Our front door has a screen so we can never hang cute wreaths on it. Here are several ideas of where to use or hang wreaths, beyond the front door:

On a porch railing or stairwell bannister
In the center of a large wall mirror, such as above the fireplace or entryway console
Laying down as a table centerpiece with a bowl or tray of candles, ornaments, pinecones, gourds, or other festive items placed in the center
Sitting upright (leaning) on a table, shelf, or console with other seasonal decor
Perched on the ground (such as on a front porch or near a fireplace – at a safe distance) surrounded by pumpkins or other seasonal items

A brick fireplace with various houseplants sitting in front of as well as on the wood mantle. A mirror hangs above the fireplace with a grapevine wreath decorated with tilandsia plants growing on it. — Years ago, I made this cute little air plant wreath that hung on the mirror above our mantle.

Grapevine wreath decoration ideas for every season

Last but not least, enjoy this round-up of ideas and photos for inspiration on how to decorate a homemade grapevine wreath for fall, winter, spring, summer… or any season!

A graphic with DIY design ideas for any season, the crafts range from green to white and colors in between. All being great for anytime of year.

A graphic with DIY design ideas for fall, the crafts have more orange and darker yellow flowers and foliage.

A graphic with DIY design ideas for winter, many of the crafts have pine type foliage with red or orange dried fruits or ornaments.

A graphic with DIY design ideas for spring, many of the crafts have light and bright colors to welcome the spring season.

A graphic of summer wreath ideas with six different wreaths with various summer type flowers and foliage.

Thank you so much for tuning in today. I had loads of fun putting together this post to share with you, and I hope you have just as much fun making your own homemade grapevine wreath too! Please let us know if you have any questions or simply say hello in the comments below. If you enjoyed this tutorial, please spread the DIY wreath love by pinning or sharing this post. Also please leave a quick star rating or review below! Otherwise, we’ll see you next time. Happy wreath making!

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A handful of grapevine wreaths are laid out on a brick pathway. one of them has been decorated with dried eucalyptus leaves and dried orange slices.

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How to Make a DIY Grapevine Wreath (or Other Vines)

Got vines to prune? Come learn how to make a classic DIY grapevine wreath, which can be made with a variety of other vines too.

Ingredients

5-10 Grapevines or other vines such as honeysuckle, wisteria, Virginia creeper, clematis, willow, or other long pliable vines that will dry hard

Instructions

Prune and collect several long vines. You’ll need anywhere from 5 to 10 vines to make an average size wreath, depending on the length of the vines. You can use vines ranging from 4 feet to 12 feet or longer.
Remove all the leaves from the vines. I personally like to keep any curly-cue tendrils attached to the vines for character.
Soak grapevines in water for a few hours (or overnight) to make them more supple and pliable before making the wreath.
Once the vines have soaked, starting with the thicker end of the vine, create a loop in the size you want your wreath. Keep in mind that fresh vines will shrink slightly as they dry.
While holding the vine in a circle, grab and tuck the opposite tail end of the vine in and through the loop, just like you’re tying a knot. Pull it tight and wrap it against the base layer loop.
Working with the natural curve of the vine, continue to tuck and weave the free tail end of the vine back through and around the wreath circle – over and over until you reach the end of the vine.
Finally, tuck the very tail end of the vine into a gap in the wreath to secure it.
Next, insert the thicker end of a new vine in a gap somewhere along the wreath. While holding the end secure, repeat the same process of tucking and weaving the new vine around the loop of the first vine. Tuck in the end.
Continue to add more and more vines until the wreath has reached your desired thickness.
Allow very fresh pliable vine wreaths to lay flat to dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for a few days before hanging and use.
Enjoy decorating as you desire with a variety of dried or faux flowers, foliage, ornaments, burlap, bows, or other natural materials.

Notes

Don’t worry if the vines crack a bit as you’re working with them. If you continue to weave with the natural curve of the vine, grapevines can usually withstand some cracking but still stay intact.
If a vine snaps and completely breaks, just tuck in the loose end and pick up where you left off with another piece of vine.
If your homemade grapevine wreath has a wonky shape, don’t be afraid to gently push down to bend and lightly crack it into a nicer circular shape.
If you’re working with more slender pliable vines, you can also start your wreath loop with two or three vines clustered together at a time, and add several vines held together during each additional loop.

6 Comments

Patrice

October 10, 2023 at 10:13 am Reply

I always enjoy your newsletter. Filled with interesting information and ideas. And I have to admit to property envy. I think your gardens are extraordinary. Thanks for sharing 😊.
- Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
  
  October 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm Reply
  
  Thank you so much for the kind words and support Patrice, have fun growing!
Susan

October 8, 2023 at 9:24 am Reply

I love how you make use of something from your beautiful garden, and you didn’t have to go buy it. I feel it’s so important to get back to a more grounded and simple way of living. You are both artists!
- Amelia
  
  October 10, 2023 at 4:38 am Reply
  
  Thanks for sharing! I have a ton of Luffa vines so I’m going to try to use those to makes some wreaths! Loved your tutorial 🙂
Holly M Cowherd

October 8, 2023 at 6:41 am Reply

Fun project! I’m loving the Jazzy intro.
Jim

October 6, 2023 at 1:46 pm Reply

Great post Deanna, love the wreaths, and your garden is still looking great! I’ve started the process of creating a lavender farm on my 12 acres. I know it will be a long-term process, but thats ok. Last weekend I tilled up about 1.5 acres and planted a cover crop as a means of preparing the soil. Then, in the spring, I’ll plant another cover crop, then retill, then plant lavender next fall. Hope it all goes as well as your grape vines. Thanks for sharing!

How to Make a DIY Grapevine Wreath (or Other Vines) + Decorating Ideas

What kind of vines can I use to make wreaths?

Preparing and soaking vines to make wreaths