How to Make a Succulent Pumpkin

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Are you in search of a one of kind gift, a super cute decoration, or simply just a new fun project to make? Try a succulent pumpkin!

I absolutely love succulents and I look forward to every year when Fall comes around because that means pumpkins are for sale everywhere, which means time to make succulent pumpkins!

In October, I had a booth at our local Fall Festival, where I sold all homemade arrangements made with succulents. While I loved all of my arrangements, the succulent pumpkins were by far my biggest seller! I was amazed with how many I sold, and I was so happy to see everybody’s interest in them!

So if you’ve never made your own succulent pumpkin read below to see how!

Supplies needed:

Step 1:

Choose any size and colored pumpkin that you would like to use. I prefer to use flatter top pumpkins because they are easier to work with, but you can definitely add succulents to any size or shape pumpkin that you desire.

Step 2:

You will use a hot glue gun and glue moss right on top of the pumpkin. No carving of the pumpkin, just add moss right on top. The only thing you will need to do to the pumpkin is cut off the stem if it is too long.

You can use any moss that you prefer, but I really like Super Moss Mountain Moss. I’ve used other types of moss, but this moss looks the most realistic to me. It is also easier to fluff, which makes it easier to work with.

As you hot glue on the moss, do it in sections because the hot glue dries fast. So first, I get a portion of moss fluffed and ready to stick onto the pumpkin, then I drizzle hot glue onto a section of the pumpkin, then quickly stick on the moss and hold it down until the hot glue is dry.

Continue that process until the entire top of the pumpkin is filled with moss.

Step 3:

Pick out all of the succulents that you want to add to the pumpkin. For a large pumpkin I will usually use 1-2 large succulents, 3-4 medium/small succulents, and 5 small succulents or trailing succulents for filler.

For a small pumpkin, I use 1-2 large or medium succulents, and 2-3 small succulents.

Then you will need to use gardening shears or scissors to cut off all of the succulent stems, leaving only about 1/4 of an inch to be able to hot glue into the moss.

Step 4:

On a large pumpkin, begin in the center of the pumpkin with your largest succulent, placing a dab of hot glue onto the stem and then sticking it into the moss. Hold in place until the glue is dry.

Then continue gluing your largest succulents into the moss working your way from the center to the edges, using your larger succulents first and working your way down to the smaller or trailing succulents.

For a small pumpkin, I usually place my larger succulent just offset from the center, then my 2-3 smaller succulents to the sides.

Step 5:

Check to see if there are any spots where the hot glue shows. If there is, take small portions of stretched out moss and place it over the glue to hide it.

Your succulent pumpkin is now complete!

Succulent Pumpkin Care

Place the succulent pumpkin anywhere you prefer. Although, they will do best in a shady covered area that gets partial sun. Or inside where they can receive some filtered light and be out of the weather.

If you buy a healthy pumpkin, a succulent pumpkin should last at least 2-3 months. Typically the succulents will start growing roots into the moss and will need very little to no water at all.

Each week check the succulents and if one looks like it is beginning to wilt then lightly spritz the roots with water.

I have had succulent pumpkins last over 6 months. So it does depend on the hardiness of the pumpkin, but you may be able to have a really long lasting arrangement.

What to Do When the Pumpkin Gets Soft

As the pumpkin begins to get soft it is time to take the succulents off and plant them. This is one of the extra benefits of succulent pumpkins. For months you will have a beautiful pumpkin arrangement, but then you get to plant the succulents and watch them grow!

There are a few ways to go about planting the succulents. You can carefully pull each succulent individually out of the moss and place it in its own pot filled with a good quality succulent soil. Or you can take off the entire piece of moss with all of the succulents attached and place the entire thing in a pot filled with succulent soil.

The succulents should all already have grown roots into the moss of the pumpkin. This means they should continue to grow well in the pot you plant them in. Every now and then a succulent will not root and may not grow. Unfortunately it happens sometime for no good reason and so don’t feel bad!

Once you plant the succulents, do not water them for at least a few days. When succulents are transplanted their roots may get disturbed and they need to callous over before getting water. This prevents the roots from getting root rot.

Also note that most succulents cannot tolerate frost, full sun, or too much water. So be sure to place them out of full sun where they won’t be damaged by frost. Then only water once every 1-2 weeks and your succulents will grow wonderfully!

Have fun creating your succulent pumpkins! Remember there is no perfect way. It’s all about being creative and having fun!

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