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    Home » Easy DIY » DIY Home Decor Ideas

    May 1, 2015 | By Jami

    Easy Mason Jar Flower Arrangements with Live Plants

    Create sweet and simple mason jar flower arrangements with live plants to coordinate with the season and then plant in the garden when done!

    Mason jars and live plant centerpieces

    Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    After sharing my quick centerpiece in last Saturday's Three Things I got all inspired about creating centerpieces and flower arrangements in mason jars with live plants. I think it's just such a great look - maybe it's the former preschool teacher in me that actually likes to see the roots?

    The fact that they're alive, they can be still be planted outside when I'm done with them, and even when the blooms fade the green looks good while new buds are waiting to bloom, are all reasons why I think this is just a great change from standard cut flowers!

    I thought I'd recap what I did for my original mason jar flower arrangement, provide a couple options from Amazon to inspire you if you don't have a vintage glass holder like mine, and then show you a different arrangement I came up with using Ball's Heritage Green pint sized mason jars that don't use any holder at all.

    Yeah, I'm kinda having fun with this.

    Ideas for Mason Jar Flower Arrangements with Live Plants

    Mason Jars, vintage glass holder and live pansy easy centerpiece

    Pansies in Vintage Holder

    For the pansy/viola arrangement, I used a glass holder from the 50s that I've had for years. I'm not sure what else to call this - I think it originally held drinking glasses? Half-pint mason jars fit perfectly in it, however, so I've always used it to hold craft items, pens or cut flowers at various times through the years.

    To make the arrangement:

    • Find a 6-pack of blooming plants - this size fits perfectly in half-pint jars (this pack of pansies was only $1.99, but they are usually $3-4 I think).
    • Remove each plant from the pack and push into a jar - it's okay to gently squish the roots if you need to.
    • Water well.

    Pint Mason jars and live pansies in a vintage glass holder on tea tray

    I turned the flower arrangement into a centerpiece for our dining table by adding it to my DIY bookpage tray along with spoons and a sugar and creamer set.

    Easy, inexpensive and quick = love.

    Mason Jar holders from Amazon

    Mason Jar Holder Options

    If you don't have a holder that would work similarly, any these shown above would make great arrangements with live plants (oh, and cut flowers, too - or even utensils and drinks as pictured - they're pretty versatile!):

    1. Three Mason Jar Flatware Caddy
    2. Six Clear Glass Chalkboard Mason Jars (set pictured no longer available-linked to similar)
    3. Mason Jars in Basket Holder (set pictured no longer available - link is to a basket to add your own jars to)
    4. Three Mason Jars with Tray and Chalkboard Signs 

    Pint-Size Mason Jar-Live Plant Arrangement Idea

    Easy mason jar-ribbon centerpiece filled with live plants

    I also came up with an idea to use the concept without a jar holder - simply wrap three jars in a ribbon (jute twine or burlap ribbon would look great, too) that you've planted with slightly larger plants.

    How to Make 3-Jar Live Flower Centerpiece

    • Grab 3 pint mason jars (the Ball Heritage series jars add more color). Add a few rocks to the bottoms for drainage.
    • Buy 3 'color spots' from a garden center (usually .99 to $1.50 each) that are blooming.
    • Remove the plants from the pots, along with any extra soil and place a handful in the bottom of a jar.
    • Shape the roots gently to fit and push into each jar (the color spots will need more shaping than, say, a jumbo-sized 6-pack, but they will work fine unless they are really root-bound). Water well, but don't drown the roots.
    • Gather jars into a triangle shape and tie together with a ribbon.

    Easy Mason Jar Flower Arrangements with Live Plants

    I really love this arrangement with spring flowering armeria and pansies - in fact it spurred a spring refresh of our mantel which you can see here.

    But can't you see this as a table centerpiece at any outdoor gathering, for Mother's Day, or updated seasonally with currently blooming flowers?

     

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rita says

      October 30, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      What a great idea~! I needed something other than vase flowers for a baby shower coming up, my mason jars are pink and the mom to be wants fall flowers, so live plants would work well, plus a keeper of the plants once the event is over can be planted and a special day remembered. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 01, 2021 at 10:50 am

        Oh, that sounds wonderful, Rita!

        Reply
    2. Jean Costin says

      April 05, 2019 at 8:01 pm

      I was searching for a simple, inexpensive table centerpiece for a ladies' event when I found your post. The three jars with live flowers is perfect for our "rooted" theme. I love your design and am eager to use it! Thank you for sharing your beautiful ideas.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        April 11, 2019 at 9:29 am

        SO happy to know this helped you, Jean - I think that will look lovely, especially as you can see the roots!

        Reply
    3. Karen says

      May 02, 2015 at 4:36 am

      Love this, Jami! No "duh!" Here! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Jennifer says

      May 01, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Wow! I LOVE this idea!! We are having company for a graduation and this is an easy was to add color! Can't wait to see the mantel. Mine needs some help! Thanks for the ideas.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        May 01, 2015 at 4:23 pm

        Oh, so happy to read this, Jennifer - I was hoping people wouldn't be like, "well, duh, Jami." 😉

        Reply
        • Lynn says

          May 30, 2015 at 10:31 am

          Did you do anything about drainage for the live plants--or was this just for an event? I love the look but don't think the plants would be happy there for long. I'd love to find out differently!

          Reply
          • Jami says

            May 30, 2015 at 4:31 pm

            It was just in place of a vase of flowers, Lynn, basically for decoration. 🙂 They did last a couple weeks longer than a vase would've and were a lot cheaper and unique, so that was my goal!

            Reply
          • Michelle says

            March 31, 2017 at 2:53 pm

            I just saw a similar idea with herbs using 1-2in of gravel or marbles at the bottom. I think I'm going to try that with flowers on my table and herbs in my windowsill! I need something green and growing in my life after this long winter with so much snow and rain and sickness!

            Reply
            • Jami says

              April 03, 2017 at 12:57 pm

              That sounds like a terrific idea, Michelle - I hear you about the long winter!

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