The DIY Pumpkin Plant Pot Trend Is Bringing an Unexpected Twist to Fall Porches – It's My New Favorite Way to Grow Chrysanthemums
It’s the most sophisticated way to decorate with pumpkins I’ve seen this year – and it’s surprisingly quick to recreate
Pumpkins are a staple when it comes to the fall porch, and each year there seem to be more creative ways to style them. Yes, the classic carved pumpkin is timelessly spooky and nostalgic, but I recently spotted a more elegant trend I couldn't resist recreating – a pumpkin plant pot.
It's the perfect way to combine Halloween porch planting ideas and outdoor fall decor ideas without giving in to gimmicks and over-the-top displays. As per the TikTok video below from @jeffandlaurenshow, you can get the look by carving out a pumpkin, adding some drainage holes, and using it as a plant pot. The bigger the pumpkin, the more layered the planting opportunities.
It's a fall DIY that took me just 20 minutes to do and cost less than $5. Ever since styling it by my front door (alongside other beautiful decorative pumpkins, like these from Walmart), my neighbors and guests have stopped to admire it. So, if you're looking for a sophisticated way to display pumpkins this year, keep reading to make your very own pumpkin plant pot.
A Chic Take on the Pumpkin Porch
The pumpkin plant pot trend is so simple – you essentially turn a carving pumpkin (which you can pick up from Walmart) into a vessel for your favorite fall flowers for pots.
Not only does it look good, but it actually supports healthy growth of your plants. Because the pumpkin flesh is moisture-retentive, it acts like a sponge and will help keep your potted plants hydrated. Alongside rainfall this season, you may not need to water your potted plants at all (though it is important to add drainage holes to avoid rot).
Plus, when you're ready to take down the fall decor, you can compost your pumpkins and turn them into organic matter for the garden.
If you want a pumpkin plant pot that lasts a bit more indefinitely, Wayfair have pumpkin planters that achieve the same look.
While a singular pumpkin plant pot with chrysanthemums is charming, the most impressive display is made by adding a few decorative pumpkins of other colors and even planting up multiple pumpkins of different sizes with different plants.
With a larger pumpkin, you can even adopt a mixed fall container recipe or a thriller, spiller, filler container. In the TikTok video above, mums, celosia (like this from Plant Addicts) and marigolds create the ultimate fall color scheme.
How to Create a Pumpkin Plant Pot
This is one of the quickest and easiest DIYs I've done. You need just a few materials to get started:
- Pumpkins – they need to be large enough to act as a vessel for your chosen plants. Treat it the same as picking out the size of a plant pot, with enough depth and width for your plant's roots and spread.
- Carving tools (like this set from Walmart)
- A drill
- Potting soil (which you can pick up from Lowe's)
- Your favorite fall flowers (I chose red chrysanthemums, which you can find at Walmart)
To make your pumpkin plant pot, prepare a work space. Just like creating other pumpkin carving ideas, things can get messy, so you may want to work on a potting mat (like this beautiful pink and red one from IKEA) and have a bowl nearby for the pulp.
- Start by carving the pumpkin as if you were making a lid for a Jack-o'-lantern. It's best to cut at a 45-degree angle, as this makes it easier to lift.
- Scoop out all the pulp and pumpkin seeds. I recommend placing this in a bowl on the side to cook with later on. You want to gently scrape the sides of the pumpkin to get a clean, smooth finish.
- Drill 1-3 drainage holes in the bottom of the pumpkin. This will allow excess moisture to drain out so your plants aren't sitting in soggy soil, which could cause root rot and kill them off prematurely.
- Fill the pumpkin with potting soil about halfway. Then, pot up your plants – if you're using multiple, position taller plants at the back and compact ones at the front to create a layered display.
- Use more potting soil to carefully secure your plants in place and water them.
It really is as simple as that. Add some more decorative pumpkins, corn stalks, and other fall porch decor for a finishing touch.
They look especially elegant when grouped with other pumpkin plant pots. You could even use a mix of different color pumpkins or paint your pumpkins to take the DIY a step further.
What to Shop
There are endless ways to create a fall porch, but this pumpkin plant pot trend can add an interesting detail that elevates the whole display. If you're looking for more inspiration, we asked garden designers to share their favorite fall porch styling ideas.
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