Are you looking for a natural and easy-to-care-for fall arrangement? This DIY succulent pumpkin planter is a great way to grow succulents for fall and can be put together in just a few hours.

This living planter combines a variety of succulents on top of a Cinderella pumpkin for a charming arrangement that looks perfect for both Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating.

Place the arrangement as the focus of your Thanksgiving centerpiece or display it on any occasional table. You can also position it on your front steps to welcome visitors to your home. Your guests will love it!

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Succulent pumpkin arrangement

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.

One of the best things about this pumpkin succulent arrangement is that there is no need to actually carve the pumpkin! This means that the display will last longer, and you won’t have any smell associated with a rotting pumpkin.

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 ideal for this project.

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

Succulent plants to use in these DIY succulent pumpkin planters

All types of succulents will work well for these pumpkin succulents. Choose a variety of colors and leaf types, sizes, and textures. Here are the ones I used in my project:

Haworthia – This spiky, striped plant is good for one of the taller areas in the center of the display
Christmas Cactus – This plant 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.
Sedum – The jelly bean plant is one that I have right now in flower. Cuttings can be taken in larger 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 – Burro’s tail has a nice draping effect.
Kalanchoe – Thin-leafed succulent with long-lasting flowers. Easy to take from cuttings.

Materials to make these pumpkin succulent planters

To make this succulent pumpkin centerpiece, you will need the following supplies:

Materials

Whole pumpkin/s – Cinderella pumpkin or heirloom pumpkins are the best shape for this project. ( I used one large pumpkin and three smaller ones for my display.)
Spray adhesive
A piece of faux moss – Large enough to cover the top third of your pumpkin.
Succulent cuttings or plants – Choose a variety of colors and types of succulents. I used a combination of new cuttings and established plants with some tiny roots already growing.
Cinnamon sticks, garden seeds, and acorns. (optional)

Tools

Scissors or gardening shears
Glue gun and hot glue sticks
Spray bottle or mister
Butcher paper or newspaper

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.

How to make a DIY succulent pumpkin planter

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

Gather your supplies

If you are using whole succulents, you can start arranging them right away.
However, if you are using cuttings, you must callous them over by letting the ends of the cuttings dry out. This can take a day or two. It’s an important step. It keeps the cuttings from rotting.

Get your workspace ready

Lay down some butcher paper or newspaper to protect your work surface.
Work in a ventilated area, since you will be using a spray adhesive.

Attach the moss

Break up the moss into smaller pieces.
Spray the underside of the pieces with spray adhesive.
Press these pieces firmly over the top area of the pumpkin.
Fill in areas by pressing them directly on the pumpkin until the top has a nice base.

Continue working, creating a layer about 1/2 to 1″ thick until the top third of the pumpkins is 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!

Attaching the succulents

Now comes the fun part!

Heat the hot glue sticks in the glue gun.
Be sure that the glue is hot, but wait a few seconds before touching your succulents so that you don’t burn your fingers as you press them onto the pumpkin.

Attach the tallest succulent in the middle of your pumpkin, just off-center.
Press each succulent or cutting against the moss with the glue for a few seconds so that it sticks well.

Work from the middle out

Arrange your other tall succulents and work your way out.
Be sure to fill in all the spaces and ensure the succulents are packed closely together.
Use a variety of succulent cuttings in different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. This adds more interest and charm to the arrangement.
As you are working, aim for a mounded look.
For cascading succulents, attach them firmly to the moss with hot glue and then allow them to fall over the sides of the pumpkin on the outside edges.
Use the smallest succulents at the front of the display.
Arrange the very last pieces so that they face outward rather than upright.
Optional step: fill in any tiny spaces with cinnamon sticks, garden seeds, and acorns.

TIP: 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 replant them in pots later.

Finishing up

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 ensures the succulents won’t be dislodged by moisture.

Adding some small succulent pumpkins

I used three smaller pumpkins to make additional planters for my display.

I chose three different sizes. They look lovely and make a nice contrast to the larger planter. They also balance the display on a table.

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

This is no problem at all. These pieces will grow into new plants.

Let the ends of the leaves callous over.
Lay them on some cactus soil.
They will make baby succulent plants in a few months.

Caring for your succulent pumpkin planter arrangement

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

Try to keep the display 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.
Mist the succulents every few days, getting the moss moist but not soaking wet.
Treat this pumpkin arrangement as you would a succulent houseplant.
Place it in a spot that gets bright light – near a window indoors, or on a sheltered porch or deck.

How long will 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.
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 the sections into smaller pots.

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🎃🌵 Give your fall decor a fresh twist with these DIY Pumpkin Succulent Planters! Combine seasonal pumpkin charm with beautiful succulents to create eye-catching living centerpieces for your table, porch, or autumn display. 🍂🧡 A fun… Share on X

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Would you like a reminder of this DIY pumpkin planters project idea? Pin this image to one of your Pinterest gardening boards so that you can easily find it later.

Admin note: This post for decorating pumpkins with succulents first appeared on the blog in October of 2018. I have updated the post to add some new images, more instructions, and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: One succulent pumpkin planter