DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece
A nature-inspired decoration for the middle of your Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving table.
This quick and easy arrangement assembles in minutes - no potting soil required!
Creating a stunning Thanksgiving centerpiece doesn't have to be a daunting task. With live plants, pumpkins, and some dried floral craft supplies, it’s easy to put together this impressive Thanksgiving decoration in a few minutes, without the need for messy potting soil and floral foam. This article will guide you through the process of crafting a captivating centerpiece that will be the focal point of your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table. Discover a delightful way to add a touch of nature to your holiday table!
Materials Needed:
A mini bouquet of phalaris grass.
1 trough style planter, approximately 5 inches wide x 16 inches long x 5 inches high
1 Eyelash Begonia ‘Black Lightning’ plant (Begonia bowerae ‘Black Lightning’) and 2 Peperomia ‘Quito’ plants (Peperomia caperata ‘Quito’), 4-inch pot size. Continue reading to discover replacement options in case these are not available, and also for some pet-safe alternatives to Begonias.
3 porcelain ramekins, 4-ounce size, to fit underneath the plant pots and catch moisture (you can use any containers you have on hand, just make sure they fit inside the trough and are wide enough to accommodate the plant pots).
Bubble wrap
Dried sheet moss, natural color
2 mini-pumpkins, each approximately 3-4 inches wide
Bark with lichens, either found or made by gluing craft lichens onto decorative bark
Dried leaves, either found or purchased
Preserved reindeer moss, natural color
Dried craft sponge mushrooms
3 artificial acorn picks, or create your own by gluing acorns onto 6-inch twigs
Floral binding wire, natural color
Dried Phalaris grass (also called canary grass), light blue color. Create mini bouquets of phalaris by cutting the ends off and bundling the flower tops together with floral binding wire (see photo).
Don’t be afraid to unleash your creative spirit and use these instructions as inspiration for creating your own nature-inspired Thanksgiving centerpiece. Use up any dried or preserved floral supplies, foraged items, or small novelty Thanksgiving decorations you may already have on hand!
Steps to assemble the centerpiece:
Keep scrolling down for a video!
1. Nestle the porcelain ramekins inside the trough planter. Place a wad of bubble wrap under the middle ramekin - this will create drama by slightly elevating the center plant.
2. Drop the plants (still in their plastic containers!) into the ramekins. The Eyelash Begonia goes in the center, flanked by the two Peperomia plants.
3. Secure the plants in place by placing wads of bubble wrap into the gaps.
4. Cover the bubble wrap with pieces of preserved sheet moss.
5. Place the two pumpkins on top of the sheet moss. Nestle pieces of lichen-covered bark and mushrooms into the trough's edges, ensuring they peek out to be visible along the sides.
7. Cover any visible bubble wrap and plastic pot rims by tucking pieces of reindeer moss, small leaves, acorn picks, and phalaris bundles into the arrangement.
Learn to DIY this nature-inspired centerpiece for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving table!
What can I substitute for the ‘Black Lightning’ Eyelash Begonia and Peperomia ‘Quito’?
If you are not able to find the ‘Black Lightning’ Eyelash Begonia and Peperomia ‘Quito’, no worries! Many different houseplants in 4-inch pots will work in this arrangement. Choose plants that have a tall, upright growth habit rather than a trailing habit. Here are some suggestions:
Begonia*: any Rex Begonia or Eyelash Begonia cultivars.
Calathea: Dottie, Freddie, Musaica, Pin Stripe, Rattlesnake, Wavestar, White Star, and Zebra Plant.
Fern: Bird’s Nest Fern, Cretan Break Fern (Pteris), Crispy Wave Fern, Kangaroo Fern, Lemon Button Fern, Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Staghorn Fern.
Peperomia: Upright cultivars like Abricos, Frost, Luna Red, Piccolo Banda, Schumi Red, Ripple, Silver Ripple, and Variegated.
* Begonias are not safe for homes with cats and dogs that like to nibble on houseplants. Calathea, Fern, and Peperomia plants are safe for our furry companions. For a list of plants toxic to cats click here, and for a list of plants toxic to dogs, click here.
How do I take care of the Begonia and Peperomia plants in this Thanksgiving Centerpiece?
Both 'Black Lightning' Eyelash Begonia and Peperomia 'Quito' thrive in bright, indirect light. If your dining room table does not have this level of light, don't fret - these plants can tolerate brief periods of low light. Simply keep the centerpiece in a space with ample bright, indirect light and move it to the table's center when you are ready to entertain. However, be sure to avoid exposing these plants to direct sunlight, which can damage their leaves.
Every 5-7 days, check the moisture level of the soil, and water when the soil feels dry. Water the plants at the base, aiming for the root zone. Use a watering can with a narrow spout, a succulent watering bottle, or a turkey baster to direct the flow of water towards the base of the plant, and to prevent water from splashing onto the rest of the arrangement. Do not overwater - these plants do not like to sit in water, and do not like wet and soggy soil.
This type of arrangement is intended as a seasonal decoration - something to be enjoyed during the Thanksgiving holiday season. When Thanksgiving is over, remove the plants from the centerpiece and drop into decorative planters, or repot into pots with drainage holes. The dried floral and craft items can be saved for next year.
