Create a Living Centerpiece

Learn how to create a living centerpiece with potted plants that you can update and change with the seasons without having to start from scratch.

Centerpieces with fresh cut flowers are certainly lovely. However, they don't last very long. Faux flower centerpieces last forever but they are not quite as beautiful as the real thing.

Why not use houseplants along with seasonal flowering plants to create a long lasting living centerpiece?

Make a Living Centerpiece

Step 1 - Find a Vessel to House the Plants

I found this pretty basket at Goodwill for $5.99. It's a good size for several plants. However, you could use a similar container such as a large ceramic bowl, a wooden box, a metal container, or whatever looks good to you.

Step 2 - Add a Riser to the Container

If your container is deep you'll need to find something to raise the plants. I used a piece of foam from a mailing package but you could use anything you have that's flat and fits inside.

Note: If your container is shallow you won't need a riser but you will want to protect it by placing a plastic liner in the bottom.

Step 3 - Buy a Plastic Plant Saucer to Hold the Plants

You can find these plastic plant saucers anywhere where they sell plants. I've even found them at the dollar store. This will hold the plants together and allow water to drain into it.

Step 4 - Choose Your Houseplants

These are the plants that you will keep year-round. I chose small pots and kept the plants in their original containers to make them easy to manage. Above is a list of the names of the plants I picked up but there are a variety of plants to choose from. Other good options would be ivy, and other ferns such as maidenhair ferns, and blue star ferns.

Step 5 - Arrange the Houseplants

Set the houseplants in the plastic plant saucer with the foliage facing outward.

Step 6 - Choose a Focal Flower Plant

Here I have a blooming white geranium as the center focal point.

Step 7 - Set the Focal Flower into the Center

Set the focal flower (white geranium) in the center of the other plants and place them all into the basket.

Step 8 - Fill in the Holes

Fill in large holes with brown paper.

Then cover open spaces with sheet moss.

Set your beautiful living centerpiece anyplace where it will get enough light.

Seasonal Changes

It's currently late summer so I have a pretty white geranium flower in the center. Come fall I can switch the geranium out with a sunflower or autumn-colored flowering plant such as Rudbeckia or a fall Mum. Near Christmas, you can use a small poinsettia. Around Easter pick up an Easter Lily. Use an orchid any time in between. You get the idea.

Typically the garden center will make this easy for you as they always have plants flowering for the season up front and center to purchase.

This living centerpiece should last a long, long, time. Certainly longer than a typical floral arrangement and you can enjoy changing it up with the seasons.