At this time of year, in between holiday table decor and  before my garden flowers bloom, I like to have something on my table as an “everyday” centerpiece.  I’m not a fan of dried or silk arrangements as they are such dust collectors (if you use them watch closely and keep them clean as your guests will certainly notice dust to which you may have become accustomed!) and it’s too expensive to buy continually rotating bouquets.  A live plant like an orchid or forced bulbs  provide great options but I’ve found a less expensive alternative that you and your family may find fun.

Wheat Grass Centerpiece

Wheat grass provides a live centerpiece for my dining room table.

My dining room table currently sports this live zen-like centerpiece of wheat grass.  Even if you think you have a brown thumb, I promise you’ll be successful with a wheat grass centerpiece and if you have kids they’ll have great fun watching this fast growing plant come to life and helping you keep it trimmed and in shape.

Talk about inexpensive!  I purchased 14 cents worth of wheat grass at a natural food store from the bulk bins.  Some craft stores also offer wheat grass seed at this time of year but the one near me only sold it in 16 ounce cups and I just didn’t need that much seed.

Fourteen cents worth of wheat grass seed is all it took to plant this 10" garden saucer.

For my grass centerpiece I used a 10″ saucer belonging to a garden pot I already owned.  I filled it about 3/4 full with potting soil and sprinkled the wheat grass seed over it.  Then I topped the seed with about 1/4″ more soil.  Tip:  Do NOT fill your container to the top because as the grass grows it pushes the soil out of its way – and out of the container if there’s too much of it.  Keep the mess down by keeping the soil level below the t0p edge of your container.  Water the seeds after planting, place the container in a warm. light spot and keep the soil moist for  the next few days while the seeds germinate.

After just a few days the wheat grass pushes it's way through the soil towards the sun.

Wheat grass grows quickly and after just after 3 to 4 days green shoots begin forcing their way through the soil.  Keep rotating your container so the blades don’t all lean one direction.

Trim the wheat grass so it stays full looking and doesn't get too leggy.

Every other day I trim the wheat grass to keep it the desired height.

In about a week to 10 days you’ll have a full container of grass.  Cut it back so it stays nice and thick looking instead of getting long and leggy.  I simply use a pair of scissors to give my saucer full of wheat grass a crew cut.

A live wheat grass centerpiece is fun and easy to grow.

After trimming the grass I placed the planted saucer in a large display bowl and surrounded it with polished stones I use in vases with flower arrangements.  With a scarf adding color to the table as a runner, my centerpiece vignette is complete.  To keep the grass this height I trim it with scissors about every other day (it grows that fast!) and water so the soil doesn’t dry out. 

Other Display Ideas

Last year I used a saucer planted with wheat grass as an Easter centerpiece, tucking plastic eggs  and bunnies among the grass blades.  For May Day it’s easy to place a few blooms in florist vials and push them into the grass.  If you’ve  got small collectibles of glass, stone, metal or wood, add them to your growing centerpiece (just be sure to remove the metal or wood items when watering) as decoration.  You  can also insert tapers into the grass for a live candle holder.  I used wheat grass on a picnic table for the Fourth of July one year by sticking a handful of American flags into the grass.  It was a quick centerpiece that was inexpensive, easy to transport and quite a conversation piece.

Give It a Try

Try your hand at a wheat grass centerpiece - it’s a great way to decorate a table.  Let me know how you decide to make it your own – what will you add to it?  Leave a comment below or email me photos of your decorated table to solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com.  Enjoy!

Note:  I’m sharing this idea at Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch and DIY weekend at Funky Junk Interiors- stop by for lots of other great ideas for decorating your table for special occassions or everyday enjoyment.

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