stylish boho DIY pampas grass Christmas tree
While pampas grass was initially popular in the 70s, it has recently spiked in popularity again and when I came across a photo on Instagram of a large pampas grass Christmas tree, I knew that I wanted to try to make my own.
I did some research before attempting this Christmas tree DIY and quickly realized that there really aren’t any tutorials out there. I found one video where someone had used plywood and chicken wire for a large pampas grass Christmas tree but I didn’t like it all that much and I wanted a more fluffy and full-looking tree.
I’m really excited to share with you my own version of this latest boho holiday decor obsession. I love my pampas grass Christmas tree so much and I’m actually surprised that the cats are leaving it alone. You can also check out my other neutral boho Christmas tree that I decorated for this same table previously.
How to make a pampas grass Christmas tree
This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
View my full disclosure policy.
Can you believe that this little tabletop Christmas tree only cost me $4? Why was it so cheap? Well, I had most of the supplies and only needed to buy the styrofoam cone which I was able to get for cheap with a coupon.
Materials needed
- styrofoam cone
- floral wire
- snippers
- flower pot or planter
- scissors
- hairspray
- pampas grass or any other fluffy plumed dried grass
(you might wonder where you could buy pampas grass or the specific grass that I used if you can’t find it growing somewhere and I found several places: HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE)
pampas grass Christmas tree instructions
I am lucky enough to have plenty of grasses growing where we live and I could make a giant tree one day. Hey maybe next year, right? Now that I know that the cats leave it alone.
The grass that I used is called common reed Phragmites australis and depending on the lighting the beige tone can look rather brown because of the seeds but with added fairy lights looks light tan. Some pampas grasses and reeds are long and pointy and I wanted to make sure that I had a fluffy variety. To me, the best pampas trees are made with fluffy thick plums and not the thin spikey-looking stems.
I went into that below field of grasses and cut a huge bundle of it to bring home.
I actually made a video so you could see exactly what steps I took to make this Christmas tree. Use the triangle on the image to turn on the video. If you are on a cellphone or other device, turn it horizontal for better viewing. If it doesn’t work, you can also head to my YouTube channel HERE to see the video.
I mentioned my cat enclosure in the video tutorial which you can see HERE.
One of the most important things is that you cut the stems at a pointy angle before inserting them into the styrofoam cone. It really helps!
Finished DIY pampas grass Christmas tree
I added my favorite fairy lights to the tree. Make sure to check out my blog post about decorating with fairy lights for Christmas.
Look how cute Maya looks in front of the tree. She literally matches and blends in.
You can also check out my lunch bag snowflake tutorial. They look great with the tree.
DIY macrame ornaments | paper fans | faux terracotta painted Christmas ball ornaments | icicles |
Here is another little decor idea for the pampas Christmas tree. I added some feathers to the tips and love how they look. All the other photos of it in the living room are without the feathers though. You could also spray some subtle touches of glitter on the plums.
While others might think a Christmas tree like this looks too bare, I think a pampas tree needs nothing else besides some fairy lights. Sometimes simplicity is a winner and the natural elements of this beauty are enough for me.
UPDATE: I implemented that idea in my latest new forage dried floral Christmas tree for you to check out where I used this same tutorial as inspiration.
Or you can buy a small pre-made similar tree below and on Etsy:
So what do you think? Do you like it as much as I do?
I love that pampas grass isn’t a forgotten plant anymore and I even made a pampas grass garland for our fireplace mantle.
I think I’m going to slow down now and enjoy the season. And when Christmas is over, I will finally share the updates I have given our bedroom.
Tschüß,
Julia, this is gorgeous!
Thank you so much Lori
This is amazing!!! Love how it turned out!
Thanks so much Doreen. I’m so glad that I made this last week and not this week because now the grasses are covered with snow
Stunning!! Love the final results.
Thanks so much Tammara, it was worth the mess it created 😉
I swear you are a genius. The end. Nothing else I can say.
LOL, I like the sound of that, I should tell Jarrid 😉 Thanks so much my friend
Wow, so stunning but seems pretty easy actually.
Yes, Susan…it was easy for sure and thanks so much!
Hi! Could you tell me how much pampas grass or how many stems you need to make this tree? I absolutely love it!
I’m so sorry Cheris but I have no clue as I just kept going back and cutting more. It also depends on how dense you want to make it and how puffy the actual stems are which can be so different.
How many stems did you need to create it?
I’m actually not really sure because I just kept going back to get more. It definitely also depends on the type of grass you are using because obviously the thicker it is the fewer stems you need.