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DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters – Easy Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece

Are you looking for a natural and easy to care for fall arrangement?  Try making these DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters. They look great and can be put together in almost no time at all.

This arrangement would be perfect as part of a Thanksgiving centerpiece. All your guests will wonder where you got it.

Pumpkins are one of the five symbols of Thanksgiving. Using them in your holiday gatherings helps to remind us about why we celebrate the day.

DIY succulent planters

Not only do we love to carve pumpkins but they can also be used in many other decor projects.

If you love succulents as much as I do, you will want to check out my guide for buying succulents. It tells what to look for, what to avoid and where to find succulent plants for sale.

And for tips on growing succulents, have a look a this guide for how to care for succulents. It is loaded with information about these drought smart plants.

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Turn those Halloween pumpkins into the ultimate green decoration. Head on over to the Gardening Cook to find out how to make these stunning pumpkin succulent planters. 🎃🎃 Click To Tweet

Pumpkin succulent arrangement

I am always on the lookout for new and unusual ideas for eco-friendly planters. Today, we’ll be using an actual pumpkin as a planter for succulents.

This pumpkin succulent arrangement makes a wonderful fall centerpiece for your Thanksgiving tablescape and can also be used outside to decorate the front steps of your home.

One of the best things about this pumpkin succulent arrangement is that there is no need to actually cut into the pumpkin!

This means that the project will last longer and you won’t have any smell associated with a rotting pumpkin. (If you are looking for some tips for carving pumpkins, I’ve written a post on this topic. Check out the pumpkin carving tips here.)

If you are looking for a more traditional dish garden to use as a centerpiece, this DIY succulent arrangement gives step by step instructions to put it together.

Fall succulent planter display

What type of pumpkins can I use for this project?

Basically any type of pumpkin will work but try to stay away from the tall slim varieties. Pumpkins from the garden that have been harvested at the correct time will have the best colors.

You’ll need a substantial area on the top of your pumpkin to lay out your moss and pin the succulents and skinny pumpkins won’t give you this.

Cinderella pumpkins work particularly well. They have deep ridges and an exceptionally flat top which makes them idea for this project.Large white pumpkins with Cinderella pumpkins and succulents

I also chose a variety of colored pumpkins for my display.  White pumpkins with succulents on the top have a nice contrast and the orange color also goes nicely with the green color of succulents.

Where can I get the succulents for this DIY gardening project?

Most of the big box stores carry a pretty good range of succulents, but they can be expensive.  If you live in a warm area where they grow naturally, ask some of your friends or neighbors if you can take cuttings of their plants.

It’s very easy to grow succulents from stem cuttings and even their leaves. One of the tips is to allow the ends to callous, and this is important for this project too.  A calloused end keeps the cutting from rotting.Variety of succulent cuttings

I have always grown and propagated succulents, and I often have a ready supply that need repotting. For today’s project, I made cuttings from some of my plants and trimmed them to size, then allowed them to callous over.

I chose various colors, sizes and textures in order to five my pumpkin arrangement the most dimension and beauty.

Making These DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters

This project is green gardening at its best.  It is decorative, uses all natural ingredients and is easy to make.

These pumpkin planters feature an assortment of small succulents as well as a good layer of moss over the top of colorful pumpkins.  Let’s see how to make them, step by step.

These succulent pumpkins are the perfect way to decorate for Thanksgiving and would make a really personal hostess gift to take to your round of holiday parties.

The design makes a perfect succulent pumpkin centerpiece and would be a very thoughtful home made gift for a friend or coworker who loves gardening or succulent plants.

Note: Hot glue guns, and heated glue can burn. Please use extreme caution when using hot glue. Learn to use your tools properly before you start any project.

Let’s get started on the DIY project!

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Gather your supplies. To make this DIY succulent project you’ll need the following supplies and tools:supplies for the DIY pumpkin succulent planter

  • Pumpkin(s) – Choose different colors and shapes for the best effect. I used real pumpkins since I want to plant the cuttings later, but faux pumpkins will also work if this is not your aim. Knucklehead pumpkins and heirloom pumpkins would also be ideal for this project!
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Moss
  • Succulent Cuttings or Plants – Try to choose a variety of colors and types of succulents for the prettiest arrangement. I used a combination of new cuttings and established plants with some tiny roots already growing.
  • Spray bottle or plant mister
  • Scissors or gardening shears, or a succulent tool kit
  • Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks
  • Cinnamon sticks, mini gourds, seeds and acorns. (optional if you want to fill in with something other than succulents)

Start by getting your work space ready.  If you don’t have a dedicated craft table, lay down some butcher paper or newspaper to protect your work surface.  Be sure to work in a ventilated area, since you’ll be using a spray adhesive.

Attach the base for the succulents

In order for the succulents to stay on top of the pumpkins (and start to develop roots) you will need some sort of base for them to attach to. We’ll be using green moss for this purpose.

You will want the moss to stick well, so coat the top of the pumpkins with some of the spray adhesive. I found that it works best to work in small sections pressing down as you go.

Spraying sections of moss

Spray large pieces of moss, and then press down firmly on the pumpkin for a few seconds to allow it to stick well.  Fill in areas by spraying directly on the pumpkin until the top has a nice base.pujmpkin with moss base

Continue working, creating a layer about 1/2 to 1″ thick until the top of the pumpkins are well covered and becomes a bed for the succulents to stick to.

Allow the pieces of moss to trail down a bit here and there so it won’t look so much like a “bowl haircut!” Repeat with all of your pumpkins until they have a nice base to work on.Pumpkins covered in moss

Arranging the succulents

Gather up your succulents, making sure you have a nice variety. Now comes the fun part!succulent baby plants

Heat the hot glue gun and gather up your succulents, making sure that they have all calloused over. Group the tallest pieces of succulent in the middle, just off center.

Be sure that the glue is hot but wait a few seconds before touching so that you don’t burn your fingers as you press down the succulents.

Hold each cutting to the moss with the glue for a few seconds so that it sticks well.  If you have any additional items such as cinnamon sticks, seeds, or acorns, intersperse these as you work, too.Attaching succulents to moss

Be sure to use a variety of succulent cuttings in different colors, shapes, sizes and textures. This adds more interest and charm to the arrangement.

Work from the middle out

Work from the center outward, using the hot glue to attach the cuttings, making sure they are packed closely together.

This not only makes it easier to work, but allows you to see how the arrangement is progressing as you work.

Keep working until the top of the pumpkin is full and looks the way you want it to. As you are working, aim for a mounded look, placing the smaller pieces at the front and very front pieces angled to the outside.

Make sure that you have plenty of succulent cuttings so that you’ll be able to fill in all the spaces as your arrangement starts to take shape. If you have too many, you can plant them in soil later.White pumpkin succulent planter

I used echeveria neon breakers for one of my center plants and it was in flower right now, so I was able to add a pop of color right at the front of my arrangement.

If you have a succulent that is a cascading type, attach them firmly to the moss with the glue and then allow them to fall down over the sides of the pumpkin on the outside edges.Finished Succulent planters

Continue working until all of your pumpkins have succulents on the moss the way you would like them to look. The small planters look nice if you choose a succession of sizes to balance the display.Small succulent planters

What happens if leaves break off the succulents as you are working?

This is no problem at all.  Just let the ends of the leaves dry off and then lay them on some cactus soil.  They will make baby  succulent plants in no time. See more tips for getting plants for free here.New plants for free. The leaves of succulents will root and make new baby plants

Finishing up

It’s a good idea to allow your arrangement to just sit for a day before you water it.  This will make sure that the glue is nice and firm and won’t be dislodged from moisture.

Caring for your Succulent Plant Arrangements

Once you have your arrangement finished, you’ll want to place it where it is protected from any harsh elements, particularly frost and freeze.  Succulent leaves are full of water and can be damaged easily.pumpkin succulent planter display

Try to keep the whole thing from getting too much water or the succulents and pumpkin may quickly rot.

Spray the succulent cuttings at least once a week to hydrate the moss and to encourage any new roots that might form. Try to avoid allowing water to pool near the stem.

The amount of water needed varies depending on your climate but generally mist it every few days, getting the moss moist but not soaking wet.

Treat this pumpkin arrangement as though it is a houseplant.  Place it in a spot that gets bright light –  near a window indoors, or on a sheltered porch or deck.

How long with this succulent arrangement last?

Since you are not cutting into the pumpkin, it will likely last for a few months as long as you give it the right conditions and mist it regularly.Pumpkin succulent planters

You might discover that the cuttings will start growing into the moss and might even attach themselves to the actual pumpkin.

Once the pumpkin starts to break down, carefully cut off the top. Then you can either plant the whole thing (pumpkin piece and all) into a pot that will hold it, or cut it into pieces and plant into smaller pots.

How big will those tiny succulents grow?

The succulent plants that you get at Lowe’s and Home Depot are normally sold in a tiny pot.  Succulents are generally slow growing and when grown as houseplants, they will stay quite small.

But under the right light and temperature conditions, particularly if you can grow them in the soil outside, some can grow really large.

You can buy a potted agave and plant it outdoors in California or similar zones and end up with a monster plant like this one that I saw recently in the Sonoran Desert Museum Park!Full size agave

The eventual size depends on the variety, or course.  In low light, they can get tall and spindly but will remain compact in good light.

Once they become pot bound, they will send out “pups” which you can remove and pot up as separate plants.  If you re-pot the mother plant in a bigger pot, it will eventually grow to fit that size pot.

Now that you’ve seen how pumpkins and succulents go together, be sure to check out how I used pumpkins and sunflowers.

Succulent Plants to use in these DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters

All types of succulents will work well.  Choose a variety of colors and leaf types, sizes and textures. Here are some suggestions:All of these succulents (and more) can be used for pumpkin planters

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  • Haworthia – This spiky striped plant is good for one of the taller areas in the center of the display
  • Aloe – Another tall plant with a light green skin.  Needs drying out for longer because of the aloe in the leaves.
  • Christmas Cactus – Has a draping effect that looks good down the outside of the pumpkin body. It might even flower before the pumpkin starts to break down!
  • Echeveria – Lovely rosettes in varying colors and sizes.  Looks good in the second layer around the taller plants. I hope it will flower!
  • Sedum – Autumn Joy is one that I have right now in flower.  Cuttings can be taken in longer sizes for the center of the arrangement.
  • Sempervivum (hens and chicks) – These neat little rosettes are prolific in the garden, so you can get a lot of tiny babies to use.
  • Senecio – String of pearls, burros tail are two examples, both of which have a nice draping effect.
  • CrassulaAeonium Haworthii is one variety- has glossy leaves with deep red margins.
  • Kalanchoe – Thin leafed succulent with long lasting flowers. Easy to take from cuttings.
  • Kalanchoe thyrsiflora – Its paddle shaped leaves makes it a good focal point for a planter.
  • Lithops – living stones – plump and short.  They make a good plant for the outer layers.

Pin this succulent planter for later

Would you like a reminder of this DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters project idea?  Just pin this image to one of your Pinterest gardening boards so that you can easily find it later.This DIY pumpkin succulent planters project is easy to do and looks great for fall

Admin note: This post for my succulent topped pumpkins first appeared on the blog in October of 2018. I have updated the post to add some new images and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: One Arrangement

DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters - Easy Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece

Pumpkin succulent planters

This DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planter uses fall pumpkins, moss and pieces of succulents to make a unique and beautiful fall arrangement.

Prep Time 1 day
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 day 30 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost $20

Materials

  • Pumpkin(s) - Choose different colors and shapes for the best effect
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Moss 
  • Succulent Cuttings or Plants - Try to choose a variety of colors and types of succulents for the prettiest arrangement.
  • Cinnamon sticks, mini gourds, seeds and acorns. (optional)

Tools

  • Scissors or gardening shears
  • Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks
  • Spray bottle or mister

Instructions

  1. Trim your cuttings and allow them to callous over. This can take a day or two. It's and important step. This allows the cuttings to dry out so that they don't rot.
  2. Spray the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive and attach the moss making a base for the succulents to sit on.
  3. Start from the center with the tallest items and work out. Fill in all the spaces and use the smaller pieces at the front.
  4. Arrange the very last pieces outward.

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Julie Gower

Monday 12th of October 2020

Hi Carol,

I work for Greenhouse Garden Center and I would absolutely love to share your article with our customers. I send out a weekly email and think this is a great Fall idea to share.

Thanks for your consideration, Julie Gower

Carol Speake

Monday 12th of October 2020

Thanks Julie.

Motte

Saturday 20th of October 2018

I love the idea of planting succulents! I've only every made vases out of pumpkins and always thought that was great, but I will give this a try too :)

Carol

Sunday 21st of October 2018

Mine are still going strong 2 weeks later. No smell, pumpkins are in great shape and the succulents are doing well. Carol

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

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