Create a Festive Holiday Pumpkin Planter

Pumpkins seem to signify fall harvests and holidays. So celebrate the fall holidays with a floral pumpkin planter. It’s very easy to carve and hollow a pumpkin that will hold a potted plant.

Pumpkin planters look great on porches, stairways, along fencing or especially as a centerpiece for a holiday party!

Start by selecting a fresh pumpkin that is round in shape, dent free and not too tall. For a centerpiece I like to use a pie pumpkin. For individual table setting miniature pumpkins are perfect. Clean the pumpkin with warm soapy water and then use a water mix with a little bleach added. The bleach will kill any bacteria that could cause the pumpkin to rot. Let the pumpkin set until the bleach has had a chance to dry or evaporate.

I measure the flowerpot I plan to use then carefully cut all the way the pumpkin with a sharp knife a hole a little bigger than the pot I intend to use. You may want to mark a line for cutting on the pumpkin with a marker.

Make sure the opening is large enough to place a flowerpot inside the cavity.

Scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin using a large spoon. If you have time let the pumpkin set for a bit and air dry. It will help it seal and last longer.

Next cut a small drainage hole near the bottom of the pumpkin.

Place a potted chrysanthemum, indoor plant or a colorful potted annual inside the pumpkin cavity. If the plant sits too low you can add crumpled aluminum foil or an upturned plastic container to raise the plant. If the plant is too high you can hide the exposed portion of the pot with decorative moss, dried grass or cornhusks arranged in a pleasing fashion.

Display your pumpkin planter on the front porch or inside the house in a cool location away from direct sunlight. This will help the pumpkin last longer. You may want to place dried leaves, oak nuts, miniature ornamental corn or small ornamental gourds near the arrangement.

To help the pumpkin last longer remove the potted plant to water. Let the pot drip dry and replace after it has drained for a few minutes.