How To Use A Pumpkin As A Vase For Flowers

If you’re looking for a unique way to dress up a vase for fall, then you’ve come to the right place. This DIY pumpkin vase is a pretty and elegant base for a beautiful fall flower arrangement.

I’m always looking for creative ways to make table decorations that are a little different than what you normally find.

So this year, I thought it would be fun to create a fall centerpiece by making a flower vase out of a pumpkin.

I used a real heirloom pumpkin in a pink color that matches my decor.

And added a bunch of coordinating flowers to come up with a stunning pumpkin flower holder that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any fall event.

Supplies

Materials

• small, low, glass vase – This will hold the water and flowers. I had a 4″square one on hand that is 4″ high (similar to these ones*).
• fresh pumpkin – large enough to hold your vase. I found a pinkish pumpkin the right size that would look good in my room. You can also use a fake craft pumpkin (in which case the cleaning steps won’t be necessary), but there are more interesting colors available in the fresh ones.
• Vaseline – (optional) this helps the pumpkin to stay fresh longer
• florist’s frog* or florist’s foam – These will keep the flowers from moving around inside the vase. If you use foam, make sure it is intended for wet floral arrangements (not dry foam).
• fresh flowers and greenery

Tools

• marking pen
• knife
• small pry bar or straight screwdriver
• spoons

How to make a pumpkin vase

1 | Wash the pumpkin

Wash the pumpkin with dish soap and water to remove any dirt from the crevasses.

Dry well.

Alternatively, you can wash it with a solution of bleach and water, using one part bleach to 10 parts water. This will remove bacteria and may make the pumpkin last longer.

2 | Draw the cut line

Now take the vase and position it on the center top of the pumpkin.

Trace around the base with the marker.

You will now have an outline of the vase size on the pumpkin top.

3 | Cut the pumpkin

With the knife, cut straight down along the marked line.

It is somewhat difficult to move the knife through the thickness of the raw pumpkin.

Be cautious about safety while moving the knife back and forth along the line until you have the center plug free.

Remove the loosened top of the pumpkin.

The top on my pumpkin was difficult to lift. I found that a small pry bar from the workshop worked well.

4 | Clean out the insides

Clean out the inside of the pumpkin with spoons.

Remove all the seeds and pulp, leaving a smooth pumpkin bowl that’s big enough to fit your vase.

Smear the Vaseline over the inside and cut edges to prevent the pumpkin from deteriorating as quickly. A carved pumpkin will last about 5 to 7 days before it decays.

5 | Insert the vase

Insert the vase into the prepared opening

Drop in the florist’s frog or fill the vase with wet florists foam (depending on which one you are using.

6 | Add water

In a pitcher, mix floral preservative with water. This will help the flowers stay fresh longer.

Then pour the mixture into the vase until it is almost full.

7 | Arrange your flowers

Arrange your choice of fresh flowers and greenery by sticking the stems into the ‘frog’ or floral foam.

I bought a large bouquet from Costco and augmented it with pink hydrangeas from my garden.

How long will a fresh pumpkin vase last?

A carved pumpkin will last about 5 to 7 days before it starts to get mushy.

Smearing the cut edges with Vaseline will help it stay fresh longer.

Other fall table decor ideas you might like

• Pink pumpkin tablescape
• Copper and gold table decor
• DIY copper leaf pumpkins

Or browse all of our fall entertaining ideas.

Have comments or questions about our DIY pumpkin vase? Tell us in the section below.

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