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Looking for a fun addition to your front porch this holiday season?

For these DIY Tomato Cage Christmas trees, all you need are some tree scraps, an upside-down tomato cage, and an empty planter. It’s a great no-cost/low cost decor idea that fits any style. 

Real Miniature Christmas Tree

Each year I usually try to use my empty tomato cages for some kind of holiday decor, but the results have been lackluster…. until now. This real mini Christmas Tree turned into a stunner last year, and now I create one every year

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Our local Christmas tree lot is so generous with their trimmings. For the last five years or so, they’ve allowed me to “help myself” to the trimmings from their trees. 

Usually, when someone purchases a real Christmas tree, the bottom branches are removed, so the tree can fit in the stand. If you trim your tree at home, then you may already have branches to use. 

If you happen to use an artificial tree, then check out your local tree lot for tree scraps for this easy craft. You’re helping our your local lot by getting rid of their extra branches, and you’re using what’s available instead of buying more stuff. Win-win! 

DIY Tomato Cage Miniature Tree Supply List:

Here’s what you’ll need to put together one of my favorite Christmas crafts. You can have your own tree in just an hour, so let’s get started!

• 1 Tomato Cage (It’s totally fine if it’s rusty!)
• Christmas tree limbs (I used 8-10)
• Empty planter
• 1 zip tie (Floral wire or twist ties if they’re big enough can also work)
• Christmas decorations (ribbon, string lights, bulbs, pine cones, etc.)

How to Create a Real Mini Christmas Tree:

1. First, for your tomato cage mini Christmas tree, place empty tomato cage upside down in an empty planter. (Our planter was a bit oversized, so I “filled” the bottom with an upside down hanging basket.) Zip tie the loose bottom pieces of the tomato cage to create the triangular tree shape.                                                                        

2. Next, start at the bottom of the “tree” and begin adding in tree limbs. Layer the limbs so that some rest on the planter, and others on the horizontal rings on the tomato cage itself. It’s going to look strange until it’s filled in, so don’t lose hope!                                                                                                                                                                  

3. At this point, the limbs may not be perfect in shape, so trim off small branches if you need to. You will use these trimmings later to fill in bare spots.                                                                              

4. As your “tree” begins to fill out, use one or two limbs standing up as the top of your tree. You can simply stick them into the top of your “tree” and adjust as needed. Just like with your tomato plants in the summer, work these limbs to suit your needs. They’re flexible.                                                                                                                             

5. You’re almost done! If you have any rogue limbs hanging out further than the rest, use your pruning shears and trim them. Then you can take the trimmings and stuff them into any holes you may have.

Now you can decorate! We opted for a star, simple ribbon, and old Christmas ornaments. But you could use a string of Christmas lights, tinsel, berries, etc. (The little gardeners were totally bummed that I didn’t use multi-colored lights. Alas, I could not bring myself to do it.)   

Update: I have since created this tree each year from fresh limbs and added battery operated lights so it shines on the porch.                                                                                                                                                                       

Display your Tomato Cage Mini Christmas Tree

You could use this tomato cage tree inside or out (ours will be on the porch). But be aware (especially if you keep it inside), the limbs will eventually dry out, but they should retain their color for several weeks.

We use tree trimmings each year, and I’m always pleased with how long they hold up. They are usually still green on New Year’s Day, when we take down our decorations. 

This is a great way to have a beautiful Christmas decor item for little or no money. When the season is over, simply toss the limbs into the compost or any natural area in your yard, and put your cage and pot back into storage. Boom!

I’d love to know how you’ve used a tomato cage for decorating! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season; Happy Gardening!

You can also check out this post and many other DIY ideas at Hometalk!