Ah, Autumn, with its warm and cozy color palettes, crisp air… Who doesn’t love it? Personally, I adore the pumpkins that are typical of this season. They’re no longer just orange; now we have white, green, black, striped, miniatures, and various other shapes and sizes. The mild, buttery flavor and vibrant orange hue start appearing in sautés, soups, and pies. I have a special fondness for this fruit. And the amazing thing is, if left undisturbed, it lasts all year round. Its durability is truly incredible.
And guess what? We can create a stunning arrangement with succulents and enjoy the beauty of pumpkins as a centerpiece, or wherever your imagination takes you. How about adding this charm to your kitchen this season? Just imagine the impact it will make in Easter decorations!
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process.
This arrangement can be created in two versions, both achieving a similar effect. In this first option, you won’t damage the pumpkin; instead, you’ll assemble the arrangement on its surface using artificial succulents.
Preserved Autumn Pumpkin
You’ll need:
- 1 round pumpkin, preferably with a good depression in the center
- artificial succulents of various sizes and colors
- hot glue
- preserved moss
Step 1:
Apply hot glue to the surface of the pumpkin, right in the depressed region, and create a bed with the preserved moss.
Step 2:
Carefully glue each artificial succulent, assembling your composition. An easy way to design is by placing the larger and taller items in the center. Put the larger succulents in the middle. Imagine a central floral piece, with the taller flowers in the center and the smaller, lighter ones on the edges or sides. Arrange them in your preferred way.
Step 3:
The arrangement is already beautiful with just the succulents. However, you can enhance it further with dried branches, colorful leaves, and whatever your imagination suggests. And voilà! Your arrangement is ready.
*This arrangement is highly durable! As long as the pumpkin stays appealing, it will remain untouched. If you wish, you can use the pumpkin later in the kitchen, simply removing the hot-glued peel.
Natural Autumn Pumpkin
You’ll need:
- 1 round pumpkin of any color, with a good size
- natural succulents of various sizes and colors
- preserved moss
- hot glue
- knife and spoon
- potting mix for succulents
- simple plastic pot
Step 1:
Carefully cut various types, colors, and sizes of succulents. After cutting, let them dry. Why? Since they’ll be placed in an arrangement or planted in a medium, they need to form calluses first, which is the scar tissue. Otherwise, they are at risk of rotting. Leave them for 24 hours in a shaded, dry, and cool place. With the calloused succulents, proceed to step 2.
Step 2:
Cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin, the exact size of the mouth of the plastic pot, so it fits snugly. Clean the pumpkin’s interior with the spoon, removing all seeds and soft fibers.
Step 3:
Fit the pot into the pumpkin and trim any excess with scissors if needed, so it’s not visible. Fill the pot with substrate suitable for succulents and plant them one by one, creating your composition.
Step 4:
Cover the areas where potting mix and the pot are visible with preserved moss, attaching it with hot glue. Decorate with a small bird, a branch, or a dried leaf, and it’s done. Now you can adorn your table. Remember to water the succulents with just a teaspoon at a time. Keep in mind that the pot doesn’t have drainage holes; it functions like an open terrarium.
*In this arrangement, the pumpkin tends to deteriorate and can be composted afterward. The succulent pot can be repurposed, and the plants are already comfortably potted.
