DIY: Easy Pumpkin Succulent Craft for Fall Decor (No Carving Needed!)

October 18, 2025

So when my friends and I decided to go to the Elrama Tavern, a local Pittsburgh bar, for a pumpkin succulent craft, I was excited – but I pictured an in-depth, messy project involving hollowing out a pumpkin and somehow planting a plant inside. I couldn’t have been more wrong!

This craft not only turned out beautiful, but it was incredibly easy!! Here is a step by step of how I created this adorable fall craft.

On a side note: I’m not much of a plant person, but after learning about succulents from @1837botanicals (on Instagram) — the group that hosted this craft — I may need to start keeping some around the house! (Turns out, they’re pretty hard to kill — which is exactly the kind of plant I need!)

1. Pick your pumpkin

I went with a traditional one, but there were so many fun shapes, sizes, and textures to choose from.

2. Choose your moss and succulents

We had two different types of moss to choose from: a thick green moss and a dried wispy moss. I chose the wispy. Some people also did a combination of the two which looked great. As for the succulents, consider color, texture, and height. I wanted a variety of colors and textures.

3. Cut the stem (or don't)

You definitely don’t need to cut the stem off! I decided to, but it’s a personal preference. I used a butter knife to cut it. (I would perhaps recommend a different method, but it worked!)

4. Use a glue gun to secure the moss first and then the succulents

Listen, I know this sounds crazy. I was shocked, but that’s all it takes – a glue gun. No need to hollow anything out. You literally just glue everything right on top of the pumpkin. Once the moss was in place, I played around with a few succulent arrangements until I found my favorite combo: two low ones in different colors and one taller one to give it a little height and dimension. After I liked the arrangement, I added a little more moss in certain places to make it look full and complete.

5. Enjoy!!

Again, I know nothing about succulents, but they said the succulents need very little maintenance. A little sprintz of water every two weeks or so. That’s it! 1837 botanicals said after the pumpkin starts to rot, you can pop that arrangement off and use it on something else.