Christmas Topiary Ideas: 16 Cheap DIY Porch Toppers That Look Like a Fancy Hotel Entrance
Christmas topiary ideas are the fastest way to make your front door look like a fancy hotel entrance, and most of them cost less than one store bought planter. This season, DIY topiaries are everywhere on Facebook, led by a peppermint version that earned more than 191,000 reactions. The idea is simple. A foam ball or cone, a dowel, a pot and some greenery become a tall, tidy tree that looks custom made. We gathered our favorites for the porch, the mantel, the kitchen and even a teacup on the breakfast table. Some use things you already own, like old ornaments and pine cones. Others need a craft store trip and an afternoon. Grab a glue gun, a friend and some cocoa, and let’s make your entry the prettiest one on the block..
Christmas Topiary Ideas for a Grand Front Door
Walk up to a five star hotel in December and the first thing you see is a pair of perfect green topiaries guarding the door. Here is the secret: you can copy that look for the price of a pizza night. These Christmas topiary ideas borrow from the old garden art of topiary, where gardeners trimmed shrubs into neat spheres and cones. Start with a matching pair in tall planters, add fat velvet bows, and tuck pine around the base. For more ways to dress those pots, see our Christmas porch planter ideas..
You will need: 2 tall planters, 2 wooden dowels (1 inch thick, 36 inches long), 6 foam spheres in three sizes, 6 bunches faux boxwood stems, 2 yards red velvet ribbon, floral pins, red berry picks, pine branches, a bag of pea gravel or sand.
How to make it: 1. Fill each planter two thirds full with gravel for weight and push the dowel in deep. 2. Press the largest sphere onto the dowel, then stack the medium and small ones above it with a gap between. 3. Cover each sphere with boxwood stems, fixing them with floral pins. 4. Tie a big bow under the top sphere, tuck berries in, and pile pine over the gravel.
A Giant Peppermint Candy Topiary
This is the one that took over Facebook this season, and it may be the sweetest of all our Christmas topiary ideas. The trick is faux peppermints, so rain and curious fingers do no harm. Wrap the trunk with red and white ribbon for a barber pole stripe, then set it in a shiny red urn with a little greenery. Love this sweet look? Our candy cane crafts carry it into every room.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (10 to 12 inches), about 80 faux peppermint candies, 1 wooden dowel (1 inch by 36 inches), red and white striped ribbon, 1 red urn, floral foam, faux greenery, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Wrap the dowel in striped ribbon at an angle and glue both ends. 2. Wedge floral foam into the urn and push the dowel in. 3. With adult help, glue peppermints over the sphere in tight rows until no foam shows. 4. Press the sphere onto the dowel, add a dab of glue, and tuck greenery around the base.
Classic Boxwood Topiary With a Velvet Bow
Some looks never go out of style, and a round boxwood topiary is one of them. It feels calm and expensive, like the entry of an old Southern inn. A single deep green velvet bow is all the trim it needs. Faux boxwood stays fresh all winter. Want more ribbon tricks? Our Christmas bow ideas show how to tie a full, fluffy bow every single time.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (8 to 10 inches), 4 to 5 bunches faux boxwood stems, 1 straight branch or dowel for the trunk, 1 white ceramic pot, floral foam, moss, 1.5 yards emerald velvet ribbon, wire cutters, floral pins.
How to make it: 1. Cut boxwood stems into short sprigs with wire cutters. 2. Push the sprigs into the sphere, working in rows so the shape stays round. 3. Set floral foam in the pot, push in the trunk and press the sphere on top. 4. Cover the foam with moss and tie a large bow just under the sphere.
Christmas Topiary Ideas With Shiny Ornaments
Got a bin of old ornaments in the garage? Turn them into a show stopper. Among all these Christmas topiary ideas, this one gives the most sparkle for the least money, because you probably own the supplies already. Mixed sizes make it look rich. A birch trunk and a galvanized bucket keep it from feeling too fancy. For more ways to use those baubles, try our giant Christmas ornament ideas.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (12 inches), 40 to 50 shatterproof ornaments in mixed sizes, floral picks or wire, 1 birch branch (2 to 3 feet), 1 galvanized bucket, gravel, pine branches, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Remove the ornament caps, add a dab of glue, then push the caps back on. 2. Stick a floral pick into each cap and press the ornaments into the sphere, largest first. 3. Fill the gaps with the small ones. 4. Set the birch trunk in a gravel filled bucket, add the sphere and cover the gravel with pine.
Pine Cone Topiary on a Birch Branch
Your next walk in the woods can turn into a centerpiece. A pine cone topiary has that cozy cabin feel. It costs next to nothing. Pair it with a white birch trunk for contrast. If you end up with a big pile of cones, our pine cone Christmas crafts put every last one to work.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (8 inches), 30 to 40 small dry pine cones, 1 birch branch (20 inches), 1 clay pot, floral foam, sheet moss, pine scented oil (optional), a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Bake the cones on a lined tray at 200 F for 30 minutes to clean them, with adult help, and let them cool. 2. Glue the cones onto the sphere with the open side facing out. 3. Fill small gaps with tiny cones or moss. 4. Set the branch in foam inside the pot, add the sphere and cover the top with moss.
Three Tier Garland Topiary in a Crate
If you love a farmhouse look, this one will make you grin. Three stacked rings of greenery form a tiered tree that looks like a baker’s cake stand dressed for the holidays. The garland hides an upside down tomato cage. Finish with a plaid bow on top. For more ways to style that crate, peek at our wooden crate Christmas decor for cozy porch and mantel setups.
You will need: 1 small tomato cage, zip ties, 15 feet faux evergreen garland, 1 wooden crate, gravel or a brick, 1 plaid wired ribbon, floral wire, wire cutters.
How to make it: 1. Flip the cage upside down and gather the prongs at the top with a zip tie. 2. Wrap garland around the bottom ring, then the middle, then the top, leaving bare gaps between tiers. 3. Fluff every branch out. 4. Set a brick in the crate for weight, wire the cage to it, and add a plaid bow on top.
Christmas Topiary Ideas With Magnolia Leaves
Magnolia leaves are the little black dress of holiday decor. Their glossy green fronts and velvety brown backs look elegant with almost anything. Layer them on a foam cone like shingles and you get a topiary that looks like it came from a fancy Southern boutique. A small gold bow keeps it classy. If you love that rich, layered look, our Christmas door swag ideas use the same leaves on the door.
You will need: 1 foam cone (24 inches), 2 to 3 bunches faux magnolia leaves, floral pins, 1 cream planter, floral foam, 1 small gold ribbon bow, moss.
How to make it: 1. Pull the leaves off their stems. 2. Starting at the bottom of the cone, pin leaves in an overlapping ring, then work upward like roof shingles. 3. Flip every fourth leaf to show the brown side. 4. Glue the cone into a foam filled planter, top with moss and pin a gold bow at the tip.
A Gingerbread House Topiary
Want a topiary that makes everyone smile? Put a tiny gingerbread house on top. It belongs in the kitchen, right by the cookie jar. Use a faux gingerbread house or a small wooden one painted brown with white trim, so it lasts year after year. For more sweet ideas, our gingerbread Christmas decor fills your kitchen with that cozy bakery look.
You will need: 1 foam cone (12 inches), faux evergreen picks, 1 small faux or wooden gingerbread house (about 4 inches), white paint pen, 1 dowel (12 inches), 1 red pot, floral foam, red and white ribbon, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Cover the cone with evergreen picks, pushing them in at a slight downward angle. 2. Trim the very top flat with a craft knife, with adult help. 3. Paint icing lines on the house if it is plain, then glue it on the flat top. 4. Set the dowel trunk in foam in the pot, add the cone and tie ribbon on the trunk.
Snowball Topiary From Faux Pom Poms
This topiary is pure winter wonderland. Dozens of fluffy white pom poms turn a plain sphere into a giant snowball that looks soft enough to hug. Kids can help press the pom poms on. A silver pot and a scoop of faux snow finish the scene. If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, our faux snow Christmas decor has lots more frosty projects to try.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (8 to 10 inches), about 100 white pom poms in two sizes, 1 dowel, white craft paint, 1 silver pot, floral foam, faux snow, craft glue or a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Paint the dowel and the sphere white so no green foam peeks through. 2. Glue the big pom poms on first, close together. 3. Fill the gaps with the small ones. 4. Set the trunk in foam in the pot, add the sphere and top the foam with faux snow.
Christmas Topiary Ideas for a Teacup
Small spaces deserve Christmas topiary ideas too. A mini tree planted in a vintage teacup is charming on a breakfast table, a bathroom shelf or a guest nightstand. Thrift stores sell single cups and saucers for a dollar or two. Line several down a table runner for a sweet tea party feel. If you enjoy filling pretty vessels, our Christmas vase fillers will give you even more ideas for cups, jars and bowls.
You will need: 1 vintage teacup and saucer, 1 small foam sphere (3 inches), faux boxwood sprigs, 1 twig (6 inches), floral foam, sheet moss, a thin red ribbon, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Cut floral foam to fit snugly inside the teacup. 2. Push short boxwood sprigs into the sphere until it is round and full. 3. Press the twig into the foam and add the sphere on top with a dab of glue. 4. Cover the foam with moss and tie a tiny bow on the twig.
Christmas Topiary Ideas Wrapped in Plaid
Plaid is the coziest pattern of the season, and it turns a plain topiary into something that feels like a mountain lodge. Wrap the trunk in plaid ribbon, add a bow that matches, and the green sphere suddenly pops. It is a great way to use leftover gift wrap ribbon. Pair two by the door for a matching set. For more of this warm, lodge style look, browse our plaid Christmas decor ideas.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (10 inches), 4 bunches faux greenery, 1 dowel (30 inches), 3 yards plaid wired ribbon, 1 black planter, gravel, floral pins, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Cover the sphere with greenery and pin it in place. 2. Glue one end of ribbon at the bottom of the dowel, then wrap it up in a spiral with no gaps and glue the top. 3. Set the dowel in a gravel filled planter. 4. Press the sphere on top and tie a big plaid bow under it.
Dried Orange Slice Topiary
This one looks like a Victorian Christmas and smells just as good. Dried orange slices glow like stained glass when the sun hits them, and cinnamon sticks add a warm spicy scent. Of all these Christmas topiary ideas, this one smells the best. Tuck bay leaves between them for a pop of green. Keep it indoors. Need help drying the fruit? Our guide to dried orange slices walks you through it step by step.
You will need: 1 foam sphere (8 inches), 30 to 40 dried orange slices, 10 cinnamon sticks, a handful of dried bay leaves, 1 natural wooden dowel, 1 terracotta pot, floral foam, floral pins, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Pin the orange slices onto the sphere, overlapping them slightly. 2. Glue cinnamon sticks and bay leaves into the gaps. 3. Push the dowel into foam inside the pot. 4. Press the sphere on top and add a few extra slices around the base.
Christmas Topiary Ideas With a Berry Spiral
Want the look of a hand clipped spiral topiary without the shears? Wind a berry garland around an evergreen cone and the spiral appears like magic. It looks like something from a botanical garden gift shop, yet it takes about an hour. Faux berries hold up outside, so it is porch friendly. If you love working with garland, our DIY Christmas garland ideas offer lots more ways to use it.
You will need: 1 foam cone (30 inches), 4 to 5 bunches faux evergreen stems, 1 faux red berry garland (10 feet), floral pins, 1 white urn, floral foam, moss.
How to make it: 1. Cover the cone with evergreen stems, pinning them at a downward angle. 2. Pin one end of the berry garland at the bottom. 3. Wind it up around the cone in an even spiral and pin it every few inches. 4. Set the cone in a foam filled urn and cover the top with moss.
Scandinavian Wooden Bead Topiary
If you like a calm, simple home, this topiary is for you. Natural wooden beads wrapped around a cone frame look clean and Nordic, and they never shed needles. It suits a shelf or a nightstand. A tiny white star on top is all the shine it needs. Kids can string the beads while you watch a holiday movie together. For more of this pared back style, our Scandinavian Christmas decor is full of soft, natural ideas.
You will need: 1 foam or wire cone (12 inches), 300 to 400 natural wooden beads (16 mm), jute cord or strong thread, 1 small wooden star, white paint, 1 white ceramic pot, floral foam, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. String the beads onto a long piece of cord and knot both ends. 2. Glue one end at the base of the cone and wrap the beads upward in tight rows. 3. Paint the star white and glue it to the top. 4. Set the cone in foam in the pot.
Moss Ball Topiaries for the Mantel
A pair of mossy topiaries brings a little bit of an English garden to your mantel. Soft green moss looks fresh against white paint, and tiny gold ornaments add just enough sparkle for the holidays. These little Christmas topiary ideas sit nicely at each end of a garland. You can also place them on a dining table as a centerpiece. For more ways to style that fireplace, our Christmas mantel ideas have looks for every kind of home.
You will need: 2 foam spheres (5 inches), 1 bag sheet moss, 20 small gold ornaments, 2 twigs or dowels (8 inches), gold spray paint, 2 small gold pots, floral foam, a low temp glue gun (adult help).
How to make it: 1. Spray paint the twigs gold outdoors, with adult help, and let them dry. 2. Glue sheet moss all over each sphere. 3. Glue the tiny ornaments on in a scattered pattern. 4. Set the twigs in foam in the pots, add the spheres and top with a little extra moss.
Candy Cane Trunk Topiary With a Wreath Top
This last idea mixes two favorites into one. A candy cane striped trunk holds up a small round wreath instead of a sphere, so the topiary looks like a giant lollipop made of greenery. It is a playful way to end our list of Christmas topiary ideas. Paint the stripes on a dowel with tape, then wire on a ready made wreath. If you already have a stack of wreaths, our Christmas wreath ideas will show you even more fun ways to use them.
You will need: 1 wooden dowel (1 inch by 36 inches), white and red craft paint, painter’s tape, 1 small faux evergreen wreath (12 inches), floral wire, 1 red ribbon bow, 1 white planter, gravel.
How to make it: 1. Paint the dowel white and let it dry. 2. Wrap painter’s tape around it in a spiral and paint the open stripes red. 3. Peel off the tape once dry. 4. Set the dowel in a gravel filled planter, wire the wreath to the top so it stands upright, and add a red bow where they meet.
