Make a Harvest Vase with Mums

This project is an embellished planter for a potted chrysanthemum or your favorite fall plants, like crotons and coleus. You'll need these materials for the harvest planter project:

• A potted chrysanthemum or croton plant.
• A planter or grower's pot slightly larger than the plant that you’re placing in the middle.
• 3 or more large rubber bands. (You can re-purpose a hair band.)
• Brown kraft paper or black construction paper (optional).
• Approximately 15 ears of ornamental Indian corn, more or less depending on the size of your pot.
• Jute twine or wire-edged decorative ribbon plus floral wire.
• Scissors or snips for cutting ribbon.

Tip: This project works best if the outer pot does not have drainage holes. If the outer pot does have holes, you’ll need a tray to catch any moisture that may come from the plant.

For a professional finish, we recommend wrapping the pot in paper like black construction paper or brown paper.

For this optional step of wrapping the pot in paper, cut a large square of paper, place the grower pot in the center and pull the paper around the edges.

If your ornamental Indian corn has a lot of husk material, you can trim or remove a portion, depending on the desired final look. The corn husk makes a ruffle around the edge of the mum, hiding the stems of the plant.

Secure with large rubber bands, one at the top third and one at the bottom third. You want the bands to have enough room for the ears of corn.

Next, slide ears of corn underneath the rubber bands, with the pointed ends facing down. Continue adding ears of corn until entire container is covered.

It’s okay if the ears of corn are different heights; they’ll be covered by the arrangement and that will add rustic charm to the design.

After you completely cover the nursery pot with Indian corn, use your favorite wire-edged ribbon or jute twine to cover the rubber bands. Floral wire makes it easy to attach large bows.

Be sure to water your mum before planting in the pot and let it drain well. Use a towel to wipe up any moisture on the pot.

Enjoy your harvest vase indoors or out. If displayed outdoors, keep it on a porch to protect it from wind and rain.

Tip: Depending on your growing zone, you can plant mums in your garden and they may come back next year. Your Indian corn planter should last for several years.