How to Make a Simple Pampas Grass Wreath for Fall

Last weekend, I took a little road trip, and would you believe I spotted a few leaves already starting to change?

I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for cooler weather and all those stunning colors of fall!

And you know we’re always looking for ways to create beautiful decor without spending a fortune.

Well, this week’s fall decor didn’t cost me a penny—it was absolutely FREE!

Curious?

Keep scrolling to see how we made this gorgeous fall wreath without spending a dime.

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Why We Love This Fall Wreath

There’s so much to love about this fall wreath—not only is it beautiful, but it’s incredibly easy and affordable to make.

In my case, it was completely FREE!

I gathered the pampas grass along the roadside, and I already had everything else I needed at home.

Also, I especially love the beautiful variation of colors in the grass, from deep purple tones to soft, neutral tans.

It just feels like fall!

You can hang this wreath indoors or on your front door, as long as it’s protected from the weather.

I actually made a similar wreath about five or six years ago, and it held up beautifully until a particularly windy rainstorm last year got it wet.

It didn’t fall apart, but the wreath became a little saggy and eventually started shedding.

So, from experience, I definitely recommend a covered location.

A Quick Note About Wild Pampas Grass

Woman cuts wild pampas grass stems on the roadside.

The pampas grass we used grows along the roadside in many areas around my city and county, so it’s pretty easy for me to find.

If you’re lucky enough to have it growing near you, it can be a wonderful—and free material for fall decorating.

Or if you have neighbor who has pampas grass growing in their garden, See if you can help trim it up for fall.

Just be sure you’re gathering from places where you have permission, and always be mindful of private property and local regulations.

When I’m choosing stems, I look for ones that aren’t fully open yet.

I’ve found that these tighter, less-open plumes tend to shed less, which makes them a better choice for a wreath.

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Pinterest image a gorgeous fall wreath for $0 using roadside pampas grass, hung on a blue door.

Supplies

The supply list for this wreath is pretty short, and you may already have most of these things around the house—which is one of the reasons this project is so budget-friendly!

pampas grass or natural foraged stems (I used about 60 stems for my wreath, I cut more than that in case I needed them and now I have extra to fill a vase.
grapevine wreath form (often we see wreaths while thrifting you can deconstruct and use)
wire
wire cutters
pruners
hair spray or clear matte spray or floral sealant

I have found that hair spray works great for me to seal my pampas grass. However I’ve heard in more humid areas it may become sticky. If you’re in a humid aread you may want to apply a clear matte spray or floral sealant.

Other foraged foliage ideas for a wreath for fall:

Bunny tails
Reed grass
Cattails
Wheat or wild grasses
Queen Anne’s lace
Yarrow
Goldenrod
Dried hydrangeas
Dried weeds and seed heads

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Prepare Your Pampas Grass Stems

Once you’ve gathered your pampas grass, there are just a few quick steps to get the stems ready for your wreath.

First, after cutting the stems, I give them a good shake outdoors before putting them in my car.

This helps knock off any loose debris, dirt, and unwanted little hitchhikers before bringing them home!

Woman applies hair spray to a cut stem of pampas grass to prevent it from shedding.

Then I give the pampas grass a light coating of hairspray or a clear sealant to help keep the fluffy plumes from shedding.

Woman trims the stem of pampas grass with pruners.

Finally, trim the stems to about 2 inches long.

This gives you enough stem to tuck securely into the grapevine wreath while keeping the focus on those beautiful, feathery plumes.

Assemble the Wreath for Fall

Hanging Loop

Before adding any pampas grass, you’ll want to create a loop on the back of the grapevine wreath for hanging.

Woman holds a loop of wire to create a hanger for a grapevine wreath.

I cut a piece of wire about 6 inches long, threaded it through the wreath, and twisted the ends together to secure it.

This gives you a simple little loop that’s perfect for hanging your finished wreath from a hook on your front door or wall.

Arrange the Plumes

Now comes the fun part!

Take your prepared pampas grass stems and begin inserting them into the grapevine wreath.

I started at the bottom of my wreath, tucking each stem securely into the grapevine.

Woman inserts a pampas grass stem into a grapevine wreath.

As you work your way around, try alternating the different colors of pampas grass.

I placed the smaller stems toward the center of the wreath and the larger, fuller plumes toward the outside.

This creates a beautiful, full shape without making the wreath look too uniform.

Add Hot Glue as Needed

If you find that a stem feels a little loose, simply add a small dab of hot glue to the stem before inserting it into the grapevine.

Woman applies hot glue to a pampas grass stem.

Continue placing the stems in the same direction, slightly overlapping the fluffy plumes as you go.

And don’t worry about making everything perfectly symmetrical—the natural, slightly imperfect look is part of the charm!

Keep adding pampas grass until you make your way back to where you started.

Woman inserts the final pampas grass stem into the wreath.

Then, gently lift the plumes and continue tucking additional stems underneath until your wreath is as full as you’d like.

I only used hot glue on about four or five plumes.

I prefer using as little glue as possible, because if I decide to take the wreath apart down the road and reuse the grapevine form for another project, it will be much easier to deconstruct.

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How Long Will This Fall Wreath Last?

With proper care, your pampas grass fall wreath can last for many years.

Moisture, direct sunlight, and strong wind can all shorten the life of dried pampas grass, so if you plan to display your wreath outdoors, a covered porch is ideal.

An indoor location is even better.

I had my first pampas grass wreath for five or six years, and it held up beautifully until it was exposed to a particularly windy rainstorm.

It didn’t completely fall apart, but once the pampas grass got wet, the wreath became saggy and eventually started to deteriorate and shed.

When you’re ready to store your wreath, keep it in a dark, dry location where it won’t get bumped or disturbed.

I have a home decor closet where I store mine, just below my artificial flower storage.

Before storing it for next season, you can also give the pampas grass another light coat of hairspray or clear sealant to help minimize shedding.

Keep in mind that some shedding is completely normal with dried pampas grass, but I’ve found that following these simple steps results in very minimal shedding and helps my wreath stay beautiful year after year.

How to Keep Pampas Grass From Shedding

A little shedding is normal with dried pampas grass, but there are a few simple things you can do to keep it to a minimum.

Beautiful Pampas Grass Wreath for Fall hung on a blue front door.

Handle your wreath gently when you’re moving or hanging it, and try to avoid constantly brushing against or rearranging the fluffy plumes.

Once your wreath is finished, give it a light coat of hairspray or a clear floral sealant to help hold the plumes in place.

Be sure to let the wreath dry completely before hanging it.

With just a little extra care, you can enjoy your beautiful pampas grass wreath without leaving a trail of fluff behind!

Style and Enjoy

I placed my pampas grass wreath on the front door, but there are so many other ways to enjoy it around your home.

It would be beautiful styled above a mantel, hanging on a mirror, or even as part of a fall vignette.

Where would you hang a pampas grass wreath in your home?

Beautiful Pampas Grass Wreath for Fall hung on a blue front door embellished with a fall ribbon bundle and pheasant feathers.

After mine had been hanging on the door for a day, I remembered that I had a fall ribbon bundle tucked away, so I simply attached it to the wire hanging loop.

Then I also added a few pheasant feathers for another little touch of fall.

I love how easy it is to change the look!

You could add a ribbon, dried flowers, wheat, berries, feathers, or even a few small fall leaves.

What would you add to yours?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pampas grass to make this wreath? Absolutely! You can use fresh pampas grass to make this wreath. In fact, that’s exactly what I did. I gathered the fresh pampas grass, added it to the grapevine wreath, and then simply let it dry naturally right on the wreath. It’s an easy way to skip the extra step of drying the stems separately, and I love that the wreath comes together while the pampas grass dries.

Will Pampas Grass Shed on My Front Door? In my experience, not very much at all! I’ve found that lightly coating the pampas grass with hairspray or a clear sealant helps keep the fluffy plumes intact and greatly reduces shedding. I even brought my wreath back out of storage after five years, and it was still in great shape. Of course, a little shedding is normal with dried pampas grass, but with these simple steps, I’ve experienced very little shedding on my front door.

Can I hang a pampas grass wreath outside? Yes, you can hang a pampas grass wreath outside, but I recommend choosing a covered location, such as a covered front porch. The biggest problem is moisture. I had my original pampas grass wreath hanging outside every fall for five or six years, and it held up beautifully until a windy rainstorm got it wet and it became saggy and eventually started to shed. So, if your front door is protected from rain and snow, it should make a beautiful fall decoration. Otherwise, an indoor location is your best bet.

Where can I find pampas grass for free? The easiest place to start is by looking around your own area. Pampas grass and other ornamental grasses can sometimes be found growing along roadsides in moist areas, fields, or other places where they have naturalized. That’s exactly how I found mine! I see it growing in several areas around my city and county, so I keep an eye out when I’m driving around. Just remember that “growing beside the road” doesn’t automatically mean it’s free for the taking. If the grass is on private property, you’ll need the landowner’s permission. Rules also vary on public lands, and some areas prohibit plant collection or require a permit. In Utah, for example, regulations differ depending on whether the land is managed by the BLM, Forest Service, state parks, or another agency.

Can I use other types of ornamental grass? Absolutely! You don’t have to use pampas grass to create a beautiful fall wreath. Other ornamental grasses, wild grasses, and feathery seed heads can give you a similar natural, wispy look. Reed grass, fountain grass, bunny tails, wheat, and other grasses that dry well are all worth trying. You can even mix several varieties together for more texture and color. So if pampas grass isn’t readily available where you live, take a look around and see what nature has to offer—you may find the perfect material growing right in your own backyard!

Shop Beautiful Wreath for Fall

More Decor Ideas for Fall

Finals Thoughts

I love when a decorating project turns out beautiful without costing a penny, and this pampas grass wreath is definitely one of those projects!

It’s simple to make, brings those gorgeous natural colors of fall right to your home, and can last for years with a little care.

So before you head to the store to buy a fall wreath, take a look around your own yard or neighborhood, you might be surprised by what you can find.

Sometimes the best fall decor is hiding in plain sight!

We hope you found some inspiration for your home this fall.

Please share your tips and fall ideas with us.

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Michelle Dickson

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How to Make a Simple Pampas Grass Wreath for Fall

Why We Love This Fall Wreath

A Quick Note About Wild Pampas Grass

Supplies

Prepare Your Pampas Grass Stems