5 low-maintenance plants to grow this autumn for a beautiful Christmas wreath you can make for free

A little planting this autumn could give you a beautiful supply of homegrown foliage for Christmas

By Charlotte DentonPublished: 21 September 2026

festive dining room with holiday wreath and candlelit table setup.

Polly Wreford

Summer planting may be coming to an end, but autumn still has plenty to offer. Growing your own foliage for a Christmas wreath is a joyful festive project that's surprisingly easy — and all the more rewarding when your greenery comes from the garden.

Whether you hang your wreath on your front door or place it on the mantelpiece to admire throughout Christmas, there's something especially satisfying about gathering foliage from your own garden. From ivy to skimmia, you can pick colours, stems and textures that you love. Better still, many of these hardy plants will return year after year, giving you a ready supply of foliage for this Christmas and many more to come.

Wondering what to grow for your wreath? Take a look at the five plants to get in the ground now:

Skimmia

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Skimmia is a popular choice for winter planting, known for its array of colours.

It needs regular watering during dry spells and tends to have richer colours when grown in shade, as strong sunlight can cause its flowers to fade. Fortunately, this won't harm the plant, so you can move it into a sunnier or shadier spot depending on the look you want to create for your wreath.

Ivy

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'September is a good time to plant ivy as the temperature is mild and the soil will still be moist, both of which help roots to settle before winter,' explains Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.

Ivy naturally blooms in September, providing nectar for pollinators. It also produces berries in winter, supplying a vital food source for birds.

Intertwine its vines throughout your wreath for a rustic, natural look.

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Winter Heather

beautiful purple heather(erica carnea) in garden.

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Winter heather is another low-maintenance plant perfect for September planting.

'The milder temperatures mean that the plant can settle in without suffering from heat stress, and roots have time to establish before winter,’ says Richard.

The vibrancy of heather's foliage depends on how much sunlight it receives, so choose a sunny spot for the brightest colours. Newly planted heathers should be watered regularly while they establish their roots, but after the first year they require very little maintenance.

Within a wreath, 'The fine texture and light scent work beautifully tucked between bolder foliage,' says Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres.

Holly

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For those with smaller gardens, container-grown holly is a brilliant option. It can be planted in September and will thrive through winter, bringing festive colour when you need it most.

Holly is relatively slow-growing, which makes autumn an ideal time to plant it ahead of Christmas.

'Holly gives you that classic festive look with glossy leaves and bright red berries. It’s tough, evergreen and the berries are a genuine lifeline for garden birds in cold snaps,' adds Julian.

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Hellebore

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Hellebore, also known as the Christmas rose, is an excellent choice for a wreath. With red, white and burgundy flowers, it will brighten up a green base and provide plenty of seasonal scent.

Christmas rose does best in partial sun and grows best when planted in early autumn, when the soil is still warm.

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