Turn Up The Heat To DIY A Lovely Faux Tree Planter For Nearly Nothing

When considering the faux vs. real plant debate, this simple little DIY idea certainly tips the scales in one direction: it offers all the beauty of freshly blooming flowers without ever having to think about watering, seasonal die-offs, pests, and other more negative aspects of caring for living plants. It's a brilliantly simple yet elegant DIY project that promises to bring some floral magic into your home without breaking the bank. All you'll need to bring it to life are some candles you aren't using, a branch from the backyard, and an empty planter or large vase. The branch becomes the flowering tree, and the candle wax forms the flowers on the branches. It's one of many ways to repurpose dead trees in your backyard.

Any candles will do, from taper candles that are lying in the back of a drawer to cheap votive candles from the dollar store. Then, simply heat the wax down until it's melted, and use your hands to shape tiny blossoms. To start, put lotion on your fingers, hold your thumb and first two fingers together, and dip them in a bowl of ice water. Then, dip your three fingers into the wax, and transfer the petal-shaped wax onto the tree branches. Each little wax bloom looks undeniably like a little flower, making it look like your tree branch is in vibrant bloom. Add as many wax flowers as you want to the tree. When you're done, prop the tree up in a vase or planter.

This project is a flexible one, which is what makes it so exciting. If you don't have room for a large branch to display on the floor, try it with a smaller one for tabletop display instead. You can create any color of blooms on your tree. Classic white wax will keep it elegant, but you can choose pink, blue, purple, or an array of colors to brighten up your space.

Unfortunately, wax flowers may be adorable, but they are very fragile. Even a little bump could ruin all your hard work. A simple coating of clear acrylic sealer spray could be all your flowers need to last. Once they are on the tree and have cooled down, give them a quick, thin spray. If you don't have acrylic sealer spray, hairspray may also do the trick, just maybe not to quite the same degree.

And then simply be mindful of temperature going forward. Keep your wax flower tree out of direct sunlight and away from vents and ovens or other sources of heat that might encourage them to melt. If you live in a hot climate, you'll want to find the coolest room in your house to display this project. You should always think strategically about where to put faux plants to make them worth your while, so this is no different. With proper care and a little protection, these beautiful blooms could adorn your tree for a long time, bringing a touch of permanent springtime magic to your home any time of the year.