How to Hang Christmas Garlands
6 Tips for Hanging Garlands and Greenery
Use Christmas Garland to Create a Festive Front Porch
I love the look of fresh holiday greens on my front porch, and I have some great tips that will keep your greens looking fabulous all season long. Fresh outdoor Christmas garlands instantly make a home look warm, festive, and inviting. Whether you’re decorating your porch railing, front doorway, or exterior bannisters, real greenery brings unmatched fragrance and charm. But outdoor conditions—wind, cold air, sun exposure, and moisture—can make installation tricky. These six expert tips will help you hang fresh Christmas garlands securely outside and keep them looking full and beautiful all season long.
Video Tutorial
Here are some tips hanging your holiday greenery!
How do I choose Garlands?
Buy the freshest garlands you can find. Look for garlands that are a deep green, soft, supple, and fragrant. I found mine at a local garden center, and they are gorgeous!
Some types of garland hold up far better in cold or fluctuating outdoor weather.
Top choices for outdoor durability:
Cedar (especially incense cedar) – stays flexible and lush
Noble fir or silver fir – strong branches, long-lasting
Mixed evergreen garlands – resist drying and hold shape
Pine garlands – great for cold climates
Avoid eucalyptus-heavy garlands for outdoor use—it dries quickly unless used sparingly as an accent.
How Long Should Your Garlands Be?
For a good swag and draping ends, you'll want to multiply the length you need by 1 ½ or 2 – that will give you plenty of garland to work with.
Plan to Hang the Garlands in Smaller Sections
Outdoor garlands shift with wind and weather, so hanging them in shorter pieces gives you more stability:
Why this works:
Better control in windy conditions
Less sagging over time
Easier to secure evenly around curves and corners
Simpler to replace one section if it dries out faster
Once hung, you can connect sections with wire or simply nestle them together for a seamless look.
Soak Wreaths & Garlands Overnight
When you get your greens home, give them a good soak in warm water overnight. Even your wreaths! You can fill a bathtub, a sink, or a wheelbarrow with water, and then just let the greens soak.
Even outdoors, fresh greenery lasts longer when properly hydrated first.
To prep your garland:
Submerge it in cool water (bathtub, large tub, or kiddie pool) for several hours or overnight.
Let it drip dry outside before hanging.
This deep soak ensures the branches stay flexible and fresh even in cold, dry weather.
Because it was warm enough to use a hose, I was able to use my Hoselink Fertilizer Sprayer to apply Wilt Stop. It made quick work since I had a lot of greens to spray!
Apply Wilt Stop before Hanging
Wilt Stop is an anti-transpirant made from the sap of pine trees. It is very sicky when applied, but it dries clear and isn’t sticky after application. It works by closing the stomata in the needles and leaves of foliage which prevents water loss.
You can apply it in one of two ways:
Mix it wih water according to the directions in a spray botle and spray your garlands until they are dripping wet. Allow to dry.
Mix it with water in a large tub or trug and dunk your greens into the solution until they are fully drenched. Then dry in the sun.
Either way, Wilt Stop will help keep your greens fresher for longer! I use it on wreaths and garlands and anywhere else that I am using fresh foliage outside.
Use Solid Hardware for Hanging
I like to use cup hooks for hanging garlands and wreaths. They hold everything very well on windy days here in Colorado!
Just be sure to drill a small pilot hole which makes putting the cup hook in super easy. Then you can take them out and reuse the holes again the next year!
Outdoor garlands can be heavy—especially when wet or exposed to snow. Choose hardware designed for exterior use:
Outdoor-rated command hooks (for smooth siding or trim)
Cup hooks or screw-in hooks (for porches and wooden trim)
Zip ties (ideal for porch railings, fences, and bannisters)
Floral wire or galvanized wire (rust-resistant)
Gutter hooks (for hanging garlands along rooflines without drilling)
Avoid adhesives not rated for outdoor conditions—they won’t hold in cold or humidity.
Use Trimmings in Pots
If you have extra trimmings or pieces of greenery, stick them in a potted plant or even an empty pot.
Keep Outdoor Garlands Fresh Longer
Even though outdoor temperatures help prolong freshness, weather can still dry out greenery. Extend its life with these tips:
Mist your garland with cool water every few days, especially in dry or windy spells.
Keep garlands away from exterior lights that give off heat.
In very sunny exposures, hang garlands as close to the holiday as possible to maintain vibrancy.
In cold climates, freezing nighttime temps actually help the greenery last longer—like natural refrigeration!
Write it down!
Be sure to make a record so you don’t have to guess about what you used next year! Write down:
1. How many feet of garland you used
2. How many wreaths and what sizes
3. Where you purchased them
4. How much you spent
5. Reflections and ideas for next year
Record it all in your Nice List Christmas Workbook or Garden Notes — and include a few photos as well! It will take all of the guess work out of next year!
Fresh greens are such an easy way to make a front porch festive! Happy Gardening and Happy Holidays!
at the close…
Keeping your Christmas garlands looking beautiful all season long doesn’t have to be complicated—just a mix of smart hanging techniques and a little bit of care. Whether you’re draping greenery across a mantel, framing a doorway, or wrapping a staircase banister, following these simple tips helps your garlands stay secure, full, and festive. With the right tools and a few preventative steps, you can avoid sagging, shedding, and the common frustrations that come with fresh greenery.
By giving your garlands the support they need and a bit of hydration along the way, you’ll extend their life and keep your holiday décor looking lush and inviting. The extra time you spend prepping and maintaining them is well worth the payoff—your spaces will feel warm, welcoming, and beautifully dressed for Christmas. With these six tips in hand, you’ll be able to enjoy vibrant, fresh garlands from the moment you hang them until the season’s end.
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