How to Craft a Eucalyptus Wreath

Eucalyptus. It’s one of the most prolific tree species in Australia: almost all are evergreen, with distinctive flowers and fruits. The leaves are fragrant from thousands of tiny oil glands that pattern the surface; you can see them when you hold a leaf up to the light.

So this holiday season, why not bring the scent and beauty—and protection—of this native tree into your home, by making a Eucalyptus wreath? Australia’s First Nations peoples regard it as a sacred and purifying plant, which is why Eucalyptus leaves are traditionally burned at smoking ceremonies, and you gather the smoke in towards your body to cleanse yourself as you walk past the fire.

To make your wreath, first gather plenty of Eucalyptus foliage in offcuts of differing sizes. You also need a circular metal wreath frame (or find a cheap wire pot trivet from a local hardware store), tape or cable ties, scissors and some ribbon for decoration. Start by making sure your frame is in a circular shape that won’t spring loose and can be hung up; tape and cable ties are good for securing the wire.

Then thread the larger pieces of greenery around the outer circle of the frame, and secure with tape or cable tie. Weave smaller pieces into the larger ones so that the whole frame is filled with foliage. If you like, you can tie a ribbon bow or thread decorative twine around your wreath, to make it look especially festive. Or just leave it natural, hang away from direct sunlight, and spritz regularly with water to keep it looking fresh and the scent alive.