4 Expert Tips for Keeping Fresh Holiday Garlands Green and Fragrant All Season

A fresh garland draped along a staircase or mantel can make a house look straight out of a Christmas movie. But a few weeks into the holiday season, that greenery can look more like Charlie Brown’s sad tree—droopy, dry, and shedding needles. Instead of spending the holidays vacuuming evergreen debris off the floor, follow these expert tips to keep your garland green and fragrant through the New Year.

1. Buy the Freshest Greenery Possible

You can’t keep a garland fresh if it’s dried out after sitting on a tree lot in the sun for weeks. The key to garland that keeps its scent and its needles throughout the season is choosing a fresh-cut, quality garland from the start.

“Look for garland that has glossy, deep green boughs, not gray-green ones,” says Andy Hunter, owner of Lynch Creek Farm, a Washington seller of live wreaths and garland. “The boughs and needles should be supple and flexible.” Those are both signs the the greens have plenty of moisture and essential tree oils intact.

Pro tip: Buy from a local Christmas tree farm or nursery, or one that cuts and ships its greens close to the time of sale.

2. Give It a Soak

Think of your garland as a big, thirsty bunch of fresh flowers. To keep it fresh and looking its best, you should give it a big drink. The best way to do that is to fill a bathtub or utility sink with cool water and submerge the entire garland in it for several hours. This lets the stems and needles soak up enough water to fully hydrate. Once you’ve soaked the garland, take it outdoors and gently shake it to remove excess water. Then let it air-dry for a bit in the shade. Once it’s dry, it’s ready to hang.

3. Don’t Hang It Near A Heat Source

Hot air from any source—a fireplace, a heating vent, or the sun—will cook the life out of your garland. “Even the best wreaths and garlands in the world cannot withstand heat,” Hunter says. “It has to be in a protected area, away from heat and direct sunlight.”

If you’re hanging a garland outdoors, on a porch railing, or around a front door, make sure the location is protected from direct sun, Hunter says. “A covered porch or a location that does not get afternoon sun are your best bets.” If you dream of a garland draped around a hearth with a roaring fire throughout the season, you should probably go with artificial one.

Pro tip: Garlands stay fresh longest in a spot where it’s never warmer than 60°F.

4. Mist It at Least Once a Week

Keep your garland fresh by spritzing the stem ends of the garland with a spray bottle of cool water. Do so at least once a week. Spray the underside of the branches, focusing on the cut ends of the boughs, Hunter says, because that’s where the moisture can be absorbed the fastest. “That will keep the water in the boughs for a longer period of time and allow it to remain fresh as long as possible.”