Fall Succulent Pumpkin Planter

Oct 7th 2013

Fall Succulent Pumpkin Planter

Autumn is officially here. Out in the garden the corn stalks have turned brown, the tomato plants are dying and vines are starting to wither. However, there is one bright spot. The pumpkins are bright orange and ready to harvest.

Pumpkins are the stars of the season. We carve them, eat them and decorate with them. Well, as luck would have it, they also make great planters for succulents and it is so easy.

Here's what you need:

  • Pumpkin Spray Adhesive
  • Sphagnum Moss
  • Glue Gun
  • Succulent Cutting
  • Clippers

Supplies for Pumpkin Planter

You can use any shape of pumpkin. Miniature, jumbo, it doesn't matter. Using a few smaller pumpkins can make a nice centerpiece. A couple large pumpkins would be impressive at the front door. If possible select a pumpkin with a concave top.

Steps to a Succulent Topped Pumpkin

  1. Cut off the pumpkin stem.
  2. Spray the top of the pumpkin with your spray adhesive.
  3. Stick dry sphagnum moss to the adhesive. It should form a 1/2 inch mat on top of the pumpkin.

    Add Moss for Succulents to Grow

  4. Begin by adding your largest/tallest succulents to the moss. Start on the top, just slightly off-center. Cut long roots off the plants then use the hot glue gun to stick your plants in place. The hot glue won't really hurt the plants and it will hold them in place while they root into the moss. The glue is what makes this project so easy.

    Clip Succulent RootsGlue Succulents to Pumpkin

  5. Plant outward from there using smaller and smaller plants. Really pack them in so that no moss is showing between the plants. Try to repeat the varieties around the planter rather than just placing a particular variety in one spot. They generally look best with a nice variety of colors and forms. However, if you want something that will survive outside in cold weather you'll have to limit your plants to sempervivum and sedum... hardy succulents.
  6. Once you've arrived at something you like, trim the excess moss and display your masterpiece prominently.

Pumpkin Looks Great on Doorstep or Centerpiece

One of the benefits of doing a succulent pumpkin planter like this is that you aren't actually cutting the pumpkin, you're planting on top of it. This means that with the right care your arrangement can last for months. Spray the succulents with water a couple times a week, but don't allow water to pool in the top. If you keep it inside, give it as much light as possible to prevent the plants fading and stretching. If it is on a dining room table or someplace without much light make sure your move the pumpkin into bright light for several hours each week to keep the arrangement tight and healthy. When the pumpkin does begin to rot you can simply cut off the top and plant the entire thing back into your garden.

Top View of Pumpkin with Succulents