How to Make a Succulent Topped Pumpkin

Are you in search of a fall centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table, a unique gift, or simply just a fun project to make? Try a succulent topped 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 it’s time to make succulent topped pumpkins!

How to Make a Succulent Topped Pumpkin

Supplies needed:

1. Pumpkin
2. Succulent Cuttings
3. Moss
4. Hot glue gun
5. Gardening shears 

Step 1: Choosing Your Pumpkin

Choose any size and colored pumpkin that you want to use.

I prefer to use pumpkins with a flat top because they are easier to work with, but you can definitely add succulents to any size or shape of pumpkin that you want.

Step 2: Adding the Moss

Use a hot glue gun and glue moss right on top of the pumpkin. Don’t carve the pumpkin, just add the 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 and it’s 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 covered with moss.

Step 3: Picking Out Your Succulents

Pick out a variety of succulents that you want to design your pumpkin with.

For a large pumpkin I will usually use 1-2 large succulents, 3-4 medium/small succulents, and 5 small succulents for hanging off the edge and filler.

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

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

CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE SUCCULENTS I USE HERE!

Step 4: Glue Succulents Onto Your Pumpkin

On a large pumpkin, begin in the center of the pumpkin with your largest succulent, place a dab of hot glue onto the stem and stick it into the moss.

Then hold it in place until the glue is dry.

Then continue gluing your largest succulents into the moss working your way from the center to the outside edges.

Use your larger succulents first and work your way down to the smaller hanging and filler succulents.

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

Step 5: Finishing Touches

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.

Then your succulent pumpkin is complete!

Succulent Pumpkin Care

You can put your succulent pumpkin anywhere you would like.

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.

Then once a week to every other week lightly spritz the succulents with water at the base of the stem.

Over time you’ll notice that the succulents will start to grow roots into the moss which is perfect because later on you’ll be able to plant them.

How Long Do Succulent Pumpkins Last?

If you start with a healthy pumpkin the entire arrangement should last a minimum of 2-3 months. But I have had succulent topped pumpkins last over 6 months!

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 my favorite things about succulent topped pumpkins.

For months you will have a beautiful pumpkin centerpiece but then you get to plant the succulents!

There are a couple ways to go about planting the succulents.

1. You can carefully remove the succulents from the moss and plant them in their own pot filled with a good quality succulent soil.
2. You can remove the entire piece of moss from the pumpkin with all of the succulents attached and place the entire thing in a pot filled with succulent soil.

By the time you are taking the succulents off of the pumpkin and planting them, they should have already grown roots into the moss.

But every now and then a succulent will not root.

So you can still plant it and after about a month or so, gently tug at the succulent to see if it’s started to grow roots into the soil.

After you plant the succulents, do not water them for at least a few days.

When succulents are transplanted their roots get disturbed and they need to callous over before getting water which prevents the roots from rotting.

Also note that most succulents cannot tolerate frost, full sun, or too much water.

So be sure to keep them out of full sun and in a place where they won’t be damaged by frost. Then only water once every 1-2 weeks.

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

If you want to buy a succulent pumpkin already made, check them out here!

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Homemade Succulent Soil

How to Grow Pumpkins Successfully