Craft a Succulent-Topped Pumpkin Centerpiece

Easily turn a faux or fresh pumpkin into a rustic planter for assorted succulents. Surrounded by other fall elements, this garden craft makes a gorgeous living centerpiece for your fall or Thanksgiving table.

Tablescape With Succulent-Covered Pumpkin Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Live Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

With succulents trending in home decor and gardening, it's the perfect time to incorporate them in your holiday tablescape. Live succulents are clipped and used to top off seasonal pumpkins and squash to make a dramatic centerpiece.

By: Marian Parsons

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Materials Needed:

live or faux pumpkins and/or squash
variety of succulents (small ones with a "rosette" shape, like echeveria, are best)
sphagnum moss

spray adhesive
hot glue gun and glue sticks
scissors or pruning shears

Attach Moss to Pumpkin

Coat top of pumpkin with spray adhesive (Image 1). Gently pull moss apart into clumps that are at least 1/2" thick (Image 2) and stick to pumpkin where glue was applied (Image 3).

Spray the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive. Gently pull moss apart into clumps and immediately stick to the pumpkin where glue was applied.

Step 1: Stick Moss to Pumpkin

Spray the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive. Gently pull moss apart into clumps and immediately stick to the pumpkin where glue was applied.

Step 1: Stick Moss to Pumpkin

Spray the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive. Gently pull moss apart into clumps and immediately stick to the pumpkin where glue was applied.

Step 1: Stick Moss to Pumpkin

Spray the top of the pumpkin with spray adhesive. Gently pull moss apart into clumps and immediately stick to the pumpkin where glue was applied.

Clip Succulents

Clip several succulent rosettes, each attached to 1-2 inches of stem, off plant with scissors or pruning shears. Choose a variety of succulent textures, sizes and colors to create visual interest.

Clipping Rosette-Shaped Succulents for Thanksgiving Centerpiece Craft

Step 2: Clip Succulents

Clip "rosettes" and sprigs off of succulents with scissors or pruning shears. Use a variety of textures, sizes and colors to create visual interest.

Glue Succulents to Moss

Preheat hot glue gun. Once hot, apply dabs of glue to the underside of each rosette, avoiding adding glue to the stem itself so the succulent can better take root (Image 1). Press each succulent into moss and hold in place until glue has cooled. Repeat until desired look for arrangement is achieved (Images 2 and 3).

Preheat hot glue gun. Once hot, apply glue in dabs around each succulent stem. Do not apply glue to the stem so the succulent can take root. Press into moss and hold into place until glue is cooled. Repeat until desired look for arrangement is achieved. Tip: Arrangement will last about a month. Spritz succulents and moss with water to keep them from drying out. Moss can be separated from pumpkin and healthy succulents can be propagated and/or replanted.

With succulents trending in home decor and gardening, it's the perfect time to incorporate them in your holiday tablescape. Live succulents are clipped and used to top off seasonal pumpkins and squash to make a dramatic centerpiece.

Step 3: Glue Succulents into Moss

Preheat hot glue gun. Once hot, apply glue in dabs around each succulent stem. Do not apply glue to the stem so the succulent can take root. Press into moss and hold into place until glue is cooled. Repeat until desired look for arrangement is achieved. Tip: Arrangement will last about a month. Spritz succulents and moss with water to keep them from drying out. Moss can be separated from pumpkin and healthy succulents can be propagated and/or replanted.

Live Succulent Pumpkin Centerpiece

Enjoy Your Long-Lasting Centerpiece

Display your completed centerpiece in a sunny location along with other fall elements like pinecones, nuts in shell and gourds. Spritz succulents and moss with water weekly to keep them from drying out. Moss can later be separated from pumpkin and healthy succulents can be propagated and/or replanted.