DIY Rosemary Tree: A Minimalist Scandinavian Holiday Centerpiece (Updated for 2026)

Updated for 2026: This simple DIY rosemary tree makes the perfect natural centerpiece for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it still smells amazing weeks later!

As the holidays are just around the corner, I wanted to share a fun, simple DIY centerpiece that anyone can make with things you probably already have at home. I give you…the DIY Rosemary Tree! 

I love that it combines natural wood (a satay stick and cork) with fresh rosemary for a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired look. The rosemary plant outside our home was growing wild, so we gave it a little trim. You could also buy rosemary at the grocery store or ask a friend for a few sprigs.

The scent is amazing, fresh, festive, and it perfumes the whole room. It only took me about five minutes to make, and the end result was surprisingly satisfying! The rosemary tree looks beautiful as a holiday centerpiece or on your mantel… and the best part? You made it yourself!

The best part? You can keep it after the holidays and let it dry naturally, then crumble the rosemary into a glass jar to use for cooking all year long.

DIY Rosemary Tree Materials

• 20-30 sprigs of fresh Rosemary
• 1 long bamboo Satay stick
• 1 cork
• 26 gauge craft wire

DIY Rosemary Tree Instructions

1. Create the Base

Push your satay stick into the cork. Any cork will work—I used a rubber one from an olive oil jug I picked up at a dollar store, but a wine or champagne cork works too. Push the stick in far enough so the base feels stable.

2. Prep the Rosemary

Separate your rosemary sprigs into groups of five and trim them by length:

• Longest (5 inches) at the bottom

• Shortest (2 inches) for the top

Make about 4–6 groups, depending on how full and bushy you’d like your tree. Like the photo below.

3. Build the Branches

Take one group at a time and wrap the ends tightly with craft wire—about two or three turns per sprig. Keep adding sprigs one by one until your small “branch” bundle feels secure.

Tip: Lay out your longest pile of 5 springs and cut a piece of craft wire that has 1 inch extra on each side.Take your piece of craft wire and wrap the first sprig with wire 2-3 times tightly around the end.

Add Take the second sprig of Rosemary, closely beside, and wrap again 3 times.Continue until all 5 sprigs are wrapped in wire.Place the completed row of springs at the middle of the satay stick.Wrap the wire and Rosemary tightly around the Satay stick. Bending the extra wire around.Continue to wrap the other 3-5 sprigs up the tree and place about 1inch apart from one another.

4. Assemble the Tree

Starting from the base, wrap each rosemary bundle around the satay stick, securing it tightly with wire. Space each new bundle about an inch above the last, moving upward as you go.

When you reach the top, fill in any sparse areas by tucking smaller rosemary pieces into the wire. This gives it that lush, layered look—like a tiny cute evergreen.

Tip: Once all the sprig groups are placed on the tree ,you can easily adjust them by pushing up the bottom sprigs up (like opening an umbrella) so they reach the top.As the top is bare, take a few extra pieces of rosemary and push them down into the wire (this helps hide the wire and top of the stick)

5. Shape and Finish

It’ll look bushy at first, but that’s a good thing! Use scissors to gently trim and shape it into a triangle form. You can fluff and adjust until it looks just right.

If the wire shows at the top, add a small sprig to cover it, or tie on a simple bow for a natural, rustic finish.

Keep shaping your tree and it will come out nice in the end. You can fluff out the branches until you get the shape you are happy with.

Remember, if needed you can always just add a small piece to the top front if the wire is still showing

And there you go a beautiful and modern centerpiece,that will get a lot of compliments +DIY envy.

Display and Enjoy Your DIY Rosemary Tree

Place your rosemary tree on the dining table, entry console, or mantel. It’s the perfect blend of nature and simplicity, and it smells amazing!

After the holidays, remember to let it dry out completely and store the rosemary in a glass jar for cooking. A zero-waste, multi-use holiday project that looks (and smells) beautiful!

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DIY Rosemary Tree FAQ

How long will the rosemary tree last?
It will stay fresh and green for about a week. After that, it begins to dry beautifully, so you can keep it on display or reuse the dried rosemary.

Can I use fake rosemary or other greenery?
Yes! Faux rosemary, cedar, or eucalyptus also look lovely if you want a longer-lasting version.

Can I make it kid-friendly?
Absolutely — just pre-cut the wire and let kids help assemble the “branches.” It’s a great sensory craft with that amazing rosemary scent.