What Is a Grapevine Wreath? Styles, Uses, and How to Choose One

A grapevine wreath starts with natural grapevines that are twisted and woven together to form a ring.

Unlike wreath forms that are meant to disappear completely under mesh or greenery, the brown, twisted vines of a grapevine wreath are often part of the finished design.

Sometimes you'll see almost the entire grapevine base.

Sometimes only part of it shows through flowers and greenery.

And sometimes it's decorated so fully that you barely see the base at all.

That's one of the things I like about working with grapevine: the same type of base can create completely different-looking wreaths.

Key Takeaways

• A grapevine wreath uses natural grapevines woven into a wreath-shaped base.
• The exposed vine is often part of the finished look rather than something that needs to be hidden.
• Grapevine wreaths can be simple and natural or full of flowers, greenery, ribbon and seasonal accents.
• Because grapevine is a natural material, some variation in the base is normal.
• Finished dimensions matter more than the size of the bare grapevine base.
• For outdoor display, a protected or covered location will generally be easier on the wreath than constant exposure to sun and bad weather.
• You can decorate a plain grapevine base yourself or buy a completed handmade design.

What Is a Grapevine Wreath Made Of?

A traditional grapevine wreath is exactly what the name suggests: grapevines woven together into a circular form.

Grapevines naturally produce long woody canes and curling tendrils. When the vines are flexible enough, they can be wrapped around one another to create the wreath base.

If the vines have become too stiff to work easily, soaking them in water can make them more pliable before they're shaped. Gardening Know How recommends working with newly cut stems and notes that dormant-season cuttings work well for wreath making.

Once enough vines have been wrapped together, they hold the familiar circular shape.

And because the vines themselves have so much texture, you've already got something interesting before adding the first flower.

Why Do Grapevine Wreaths Look So Different From One Another?

Look closely at two bare grapevine wreaths and you probably won't find perfect copies.

That's normal.

You're working with natural material.

One section may have a thicker vine. Another may have a curling tendril sticking out. One base might be tightly woven while another looks a little more open.

I don't consider those small differences flaws.

They're part of what gives grapevine its natural look.

Once you start adding florals, greenery and ribbon, those little differences become part of the finished wreath's character.

Does the Grapevine Have to Show?

Not at all.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about grapevine wreaths.

You can leave most of the grapevine exposed and add one floral arrangement or bow.

You can decorate half of the wreath and leave the other half natural.

Or you can create a full grapevine wreath with flowers and greenery covering most of the base.

There's no rule saying a grapevine wreath has to look sparse or rustic.

The base is just your starting point.

Popular Grapevine Wreath Styles

This is where grapevine becomes especially versatile.

Floral Grapevine Wreaths

Flowers and grapevine are a natural combination.

Sunflowers can create a fall or farmhouse look. Tulips and lighter florals work beautifully for spring. Greenery and neutral flowers can create something you could leave up much longer.

Because some of the vine can remain visible, you don't necessarily need to cover every inch with flowers.

Farmhouse Grapevine Wreaths

This is probably one of the styles people most closely associate with grapevine.

Think burlap, buffalo check, cotton accents, greenery, sunflowers and wood-look signs.

The natural brown vine already fits the farmhouse palette, so you can build on it rather than hide it.

Our guide to farmhouse wreath styles has more ideas for putting that look together.

Seasonal Grapevine Wreaths

Grapevine isn't limited to one season.

Fall wreaths can use leaves, pumpkins and sunflowers.

Christmas designs can add evergreens, berries, pinecones and ribbon.

Spring wreaths can use flowers, greenery and Easter accents.

Patriotic designs can bring in red, white and blue.

The grapevine underneath doesn't determine the season. What you put on it does.

Minimal Grapevine Wreaths

You don't have to cover the whole thing.

A simple arrangement on the bottom or one side can leave most of the natural vine exposed.

This is a good choice when you want the wreath to feel lighter or you simply like seeing the texture of the grapevine itself.

Grapevine Wreath vs. Deco Mesh Wreath

These can create two very different looks.

A grapevine wreath starts with a natural woven base. Depending on the design, quite a bit of that base may remain visible.

A deco mesh wreath generally has a much fuller appearance because mesh, ribbon and other decorations cover the underlying frame.

Think of grapevine as giving you natural texture from the beginning.

Deco mesh gives you volume and color from the beginning.

Neither is automatically better.

They simply create different looks, and wreath makers can even combine elements of both.

We have a full comparison in Deco Mesh vs. Grapevine Wreaths: What's the Difference?

Can You Hang a Grapevine Wreath Outside?

Yes, but where you hang it matters.

Grapevine itself is a natural material, and the finished wreath may also contain ribbon, faux flowers, signs, berries and other materials that respond differently to weather.

Sunlight can fade decorative materials over time, while rain, wind and other weather can cause additional wear. This Old House's grapevine wreath tutorial recommends hanging one in a protected area, bringing it inside during severe weather, and keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat.

That's why I prefer a covered or protected porch whenever possible.

Here in Texas, I'd pay particular attention to direct afternoon sun.

For more help with outdoor placement:

• How to Protect a Wreath From Sun and Heat
• How to Keep a Wreath Secure on a Windy Porch
• Best Wreath Hangers for Glass, Wood, and Metal Doors

Can You Make Your Own Grapevine Wreath?

Absolutely.

You have two ways to do it.

You can buy an unfinished grapevine base and decorate it yourself.

Or, if you have access to suitable grapevines, you can actually make the base too.

The vines are wrapped into a circle, and additional strands are woven around and through the first ones until the wreath reaches the thickness you want.

If you'd like a full walk-through, Homestead and Chill covers wild, cultivated and muscadine vines, including how freshly cut vines can shrink slightly as they dry. This Old House also has a step-by-step video tutorial for decorating a grapevine wreath.

Then comes the fun part.

You can add:

• Faux flowers
• Greenery
• Ribbon
• Bows
• Pinecones
• Berries
• Seasonal picks
• Signs
• Small decorative accents

Floral wire, ties and glue are common ways of securing decorations depending on the materials you're using.

And if making the actual grapevine base doesn't sound like fun, there's nothing wrong with starting with a premade one.

Base Size and Finished Size Are Not the Same Thing

This is something I'd pay attention to when shopping.

A wreath might begin with an 18-inch grapevine base and end up considerably wider once flowers, greenery and a bow extend beyond it.

So don't choose a wreath based only on the size of its frame.

Look for the finished outside dimensions.

That's the measurement that tells you how much space the wreath will actually occupy on your door.

If you're unsure what size works for your entrance, start with our guide to measuring your door for a wreath.

What Should You Look for in a Finished Grapevine Wreath?

If you're buying instead of making one, I would look at more than the flowers.

• Check the finished dimensions. Make sure you're comparing the actual finished wreath with your door, not just the underlying base.
• Look at the overall balance. A handmade design doesn't have to be perfectly symmetrical, but it should look intentional.
• Look closely at the attachments. Flowers, bows and other major pieces shouldn't look like they're barely hanging on.
• Think about depth. A very dimensional wreath may need additional clearance if you're hanging it behind a storm door.
• Look at the back when possible. It can tell you quite a bit about how the wreath was assembled.

We cover more of those details in What Makes a High-Quality Handmade Wreath?

How Do You Hang a Grapevine Wreath?

You have several options depending on your door.

An over-the-door wreath hanger is the simplest.

Some people use ribbon.

Other hanging methods work better for glass or metal doors.

The important part is making sure whatever you're using can support the finished weight of the wreath, not just the bare grapevine base.

Also check where the hanger leaves the wreath sitting on the door. The right hanger can still look wrong if it puts the wreath too high or too low.

How Do You Store a Grapevine Wreath?

Keep it dry and give it enough room that the decorations aren't crushed.

I wouldn't stack heavy boxes on top of a finished wreath or squeeze it into a container that's too small.

Before storing a wreath that's been outside, make sure everything is completely dry.

Then protect it from dust and crushing until you're ready to use it again.

Grapevine Wreath FAQs

Are grapevine wreaths made from real grapevines?

Traditional grapevine wreaths are made by weaving natural grapevine canes together into a circular form.

Can a grapevine wreath get wet?

An occasional exposure to moisture isn't the same thing as being designed for constant rain. For a finished decorative wreath, I'd choose a covered location whenever possible and consider all of its materials, not just the grapevine base.

Can you hang a grapevine wreath outside?

Yes. A protected porch or covered doorway is generally a better location than somewhere exposed continuously to direct sun and weather.

How long does a grapevine wreath last?

There's no useful single lifespan because it depends heavily on where it's displayed, how it's stored, and what materials have been added to it. A wreath kept indoors or under good cover has a very different environment from one exposed to Texas sun and rain.

Can you decorate a plain grapevine wreath yourself?

Yes. That's one of the biggest advantages of the base. Flowers, greenery, ribbon, bows and seasonal decorations can all be attached to it.

Can you reuse a grapevine wreath?

A plain grapevine base can potentially be redecorated if the decorations were attached in a removable way. I wouldn't assume every finished wreath is designed to be taken apart and rebuilt, though.

What's the difference between a grapevine wreath and a deco mesh wreath?

The biggest difference is the base and finished appearance. Grapevine gives you a natural woven texture that can remain visible. Deco mesh generally creates a fuller, more colorful design that covers the underlying frame.

Are grapevine wreaths only for farmhouse homes?

Not at all.

Grapevine works especially well with farmhouse and rustic styles, but the flowers, greenery, ribbon and other decorations determine much of the finished look. It can be traditional, modern, seasonal, colorful or very simple.

Find the Right Wreath for Your Door

If you like seeing natural vine, start with our farmhouse wreath collection.

If you prefer something fuller and more colorful, take a look at our deco mesh wreath collection.

Shop All Handmade Wreaths →