Looking for an easy fall succulent project that doesn’t require carving a pumpkin? This succulent pumpkin planter is one of our favorites because you can use a real or faux pumpkin, there’s no need to cut into it, and your succulent cuttings can live on long after fall is over.

Everything is built right on top!

What You’ll Need; 

A real or faux pumpkin
Succulent cuttings
Moss
Hot glue gun + glue sticks
Spray bottle with water
Scissors or pruning snips, if needed

Step 1: Choose Your Pumpkin

Start with any pumpkin. It can be real or faux, large or small.

If you use a real pumpkin, don’t cut the top off. Keeping the pumpkin intact helps it last longer because you aren’t exposing the inside of the pumpkin to air.

A faux pumpkin is another great option because you can keep your arrangement and refresh the succulent cuttings whenever you want.

Step 2: Build Your Moss Base

Heat up your hot glue gun and add a layer of hot glue to the top of the pumpkin.

Press moss into the glue to start creating your base.

Then keep building it up:

Hot glue → moss → hot glue → moss.

You want enough moss to create a thick layer that will hold your succulent stems in place. Don’t worry about making it perfect or even. The moss looks really rustic when its not placed neatly. You can trim it after.

Step 3: Add Your Succulent Cuttings

Now for the best part!

Start by arranging your succulent cuttings on top of the moss. Gently put the stems down into the moss so they’re snug. If a cutting doesn’t want to stay put, add a little more moss or a small dab of hot glue where its needed to help secure it. Hot glue on the stem is ok, but try not where the cut is so roots can still form. If you do its ok, succulents will find a way to throw roots no matter where on the stem.

Keep going until you’re happy with the arrangement.

Step 4: Let Your Succulents Settle In

Succulent cuttings can grow new roots even without being planted in a pot of soil.

Keep your pumpkin somewhere it receives plenty of bright light but protect freshly cut succulents from direct sun while they’re getting established.

Every so often, lightly mist the moss around the stems and then allow it to dry. Don't keep the moss constantly wet. Succulents store water in their leaves and stems and too much water around a fresh cutting can cause rot.

After some time, you will start seeing little roots starting from the stems and working their way into the moss.

What Happens After Fall?

The succulents don’t have to be thrown away with the pumpkin.

If you used a real pumpkin, enjoy your arrangement throughout the fall. When the pumpkin begins to die, just remove your succulent cuttings.

If they’ve developed roots, plant them into a small pot with fast-draining succulent soil.

Once they’re planted in soil, switch to regular succulent watering:

Dry. Drench. Dry. Repeat.

With regular succulent care, those cuttings can continue growing normally.

Using a Faux Pumpkin?

You can keep it!

Because the pumpkin won’t rot, your arrangement can last much longer. You can replace individual cuttings as needed, change the colors or varieties and bring your succulent pumpkin back out again next fall.

A Few Succly Tips

Choose healthy succulent cuttings with firm leaves and stems. Make sure freshly cut stems callus for a day or two before adding them to the arrangement.

And don’t worry if your arrangement isn’t perfectly symmetrical. Mixing rosettes, trailing succulents, textures, and different colors makes every pumpkin a little different.

Have fun with it.

Happy fall ◡̈ 

Video on how we made ours-