How to Create a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

Learn how to create a Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece for fall or for your Thanksgiving table. They’re easy and fun to create and the succulents can be transplanted after pumpkin season.  

Happy Monday!

It’s always a happy Monday for me when I join my blogging friends

for some flower therapy and Monday Morning Blooms!

You can find my blogging friends’ links to their floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.

Pumpkin Season is my favorite season and I’m sharing a fun DIY in celebration,

Succulent-Topped Pumpkins!

Warning:

This project is easy and addictive and will have you returning to the garden center

or ordering more cuttings online to create these centerpieces

for your home or Thanksgiving table!

I’ve seen these Succulent Pumpkins all over Pinterest for several years now and

 this project seemed a little intimidating as I didn’t have any experience with succulents.

I’m happy to say that this couldn’t be an easier project for a succulent novice!

It does take a fair number of succulents for this project, but the good news is they will last

for months on your pumpkin and when it’s time to trade in your pumpkin

for boughs of holly in December, you can remove them from the moss

and transplant them in another container.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.

To start this project you’ll need a pumpkin.

Choose one with a low stem or remove / cut your stem without damaging the pumpkin.

You’ll also need  some spaghnum moss or moss of choice.

Sphagnum moss will absorb and hold moisture and which will help cuttings root.

You’ll also need some spray adhesive.

Spray the back of your moss with adhesive and place it on the top of your pumpkin,

lightly pressing down to help it adhere.

When you have the moss foundation attached the top of your pumpkin

you’re ready for the fun part, adding your succulents!

I used a combination of succulents in pots I found at Lowe’s

and succulent cuttings I ordered online.

Using the cuttings is affordable as you can get a larger variety that way,

and are easy to attach as they don’t have any roots.

To attach your succulents to your moss, you’ll need some glue.

I used a hot glue gun, but you could also use a clear gel craft glue.

Note: While the thought of using hot glue on the base or tip of a root cutting

seems cruel, succulents are very resilient and it will not harm them.

Apply a little glue on the base of the succulent to attach it to the moss, it doesn’t take much.

The advantage of using a hot glue over a craft glue is that it dries almost immediately.

Start in the center of your pumpkin adding your taller succulents.

Audition them first, laying them out to see how you like your design before gluing them in.

You can leave some of the moss exposed or cover it completely

depending on how many succulents you have.

To help fill in the space and to add some additional texture and interest,

I added a few pine cones and some acorns for a touch of fall to my gray pumpkin.

When using pots of succulents, remove the dirt from the roots,

cutting away most of the root, while trying not to cringe. :)

Place a small amount of glue on the end and press into place onto your moss,

making sure the little roots are covered or tucked out of sight

underneath some larger succulent leaves.

Note: If you have succulents that you can taking cuttings from, allow the ends to dry out

and callous over before adding them to your moss.

If you order cuttings online, by the time you receive them, the ends

will have already dried out and be ready to use.

These mini tiger striped pumpkins are fun to create, requiring just a few cuttings!

You can make them in under 5 minutes and they

 would make cute place card holders for Thanksgiving or party favor!

After your glue is dry and everything is set, give your creation a mist of water.

Repeat twice a week to moisten the moss and hydrate any new little roots.

  Succulents are more at risk from being over watered than under watered.

Treat your Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece like a houseplant:

Place it by a window or sheltered porch area with indirect/filtered sunlight.

Protect it from freezing temperatures if it’s in a sheltered outdoor area and

keep it away from blowing heat vents indoors,

that would cause temperature fluctuations.

When you’re ready to retire your pumpkin for the season,

remove the moss layer of succulents and repot together or separate the plants

and pot individually using a Cactus / Succulent Soil Mix.

Lola and Sophie says this is a dog gone easy project!

Visit my talented friends to see their floral inspiration this week:

Pam at Everyday Living

Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse

Shirley at Housepitality Designs

As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

 Metamorphosis Monday