A succulent topiary tree holiday centerpiece needs less care than a floral arrangement and lasts much longer—several months or more. Its requirements are similar to those of a succulent wreath: bright but not intense light (rotate occasionally for even exposure), weekly watering (from the top, to evenly moisten the moss), and pinching back if cuttings get leggy.
See how I made this one in my YouTube video: DIY Succulent Topiary Tree.
The method is simple: Poke holes in the moss, insert cuttings, and secure them with floral pins. It takes about two hours, start to finish, and you’ll need approx. 200 one-inch-diameter cuttings. Harvest them from your garden, potted plants, nursery-grown succulents or from online sources. You needn’t use the same varieties that I did, but do aim for contrasting colors and textures. Use jade plant (Crassula ovata) as a filler—it’s inexpensive and easy to come by. Stay away from blue, blue-gray and lavender succulents because those aren’t holiday colors—unless of course that’s what you prefer. And do resist the temptation to decorate the little tree with vivid ornaments, thereby making it all about them and not about the succulents (but then, I’m a little prejudiced).
MATERIALS
Topiary cone made of sphagnum moss, 12 in. tall (including wooden base)
200 floral pins (or paper clips cut in half with wire cutters)
Clippers or scissors for taking cuttings and shortening stems
Chopstick or a Phillips screwdriver for poking holes in moss
Succulents (suggested, but nearly any kind will work):
Crassula ovata ‘Minima” (mini jade), 60
Sedum nussbaumerianum (Coppertone stonecrop), 30
Sedum rubrotinctum ‘Aurora’, 50
Senecio haworthii, 60
Optional:
Lazy susan
Crystal corsage pins (around 50)
Senecio rowleyanus (string of pearls plant), 9 in. of strands for garland
Watch me decorate the tree with corsage pins in this brief cell-phone video, which went viral on Facebook with over 2,000,000 views!
NOW THROUGH DEC. 8, my new book is 30% off at timberpress.com! In fact ALL Timber Press books are 30% off. Timber is the leading publisher of gardening books in the US. Treat yourself to a whopper like “The Timber Press Guide to Succulent Plants of the World.” Or “The Gardener’s Guide to Cactus.” Or “Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates.” (All of which I own and refer to often.) Or one or more of my three bestsellers! 
Also enjoy watching me talk about succulents and the new book on TV, with a handsome reporter whose blue suit is THE perfect backdrop for orange aloe flowers.
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