Make a pumpkin terrarium for Halloween
Wondering how to up your Halloween pumpkin game this year? If you're looking for something a bit different from your usual decoration of a carved pumpkin, then you'll be pleased to discover that pumpkin terrariums are now a thing.
They’re easy to create at home and green-fingered crafters and gardeners will love making them.
We're going to take you through making a pumpkin terrarium step-by-step – as well as top tips for picking the perfect pumpkin for your creation!
What is a terrarium?
Aesthetically pleasing and a wonderful way to introduce plants into your home, terrariums are mini greenhouses that allow plants like succulents to thrive in warmer conditions. Every home should have one! They’re easy to make can be created inside any glass container.
But glass isn’t the only vessel you can use. In this satisfying Halloween craft you can use a real pumpkin as your base to create a seasonal themed effect.
Halloween craft ideas for 2024
Autumn is a chance to try out a new Halloween craft you’ve not had a go at before. In recent years we’ve loved trends like painted pumpkins and marble pumpkins but for 2024, the Halloween craft everyone’s talking about is how to make a Halloween terrarium.
It’s a fun DIY project that’s much simpler than it looks and is perfect for plant lovers everywhere, whether that means making one for yourself, a friend, or family member. Filled with succulents, they make for a quirky garden centrepiece at a dinner table and also look really impressive to anyone that sees them.
In fact, they’re so fun to make, you'll want to create a whole collection of pumpkin terrariums in varying sizes to fill your home.
How to choose a pumpkin to make a pumpkin terrarium
Any size of pumpkin is suitable to make a pumpkin terrarium. Just like in traditional pumpkin carving, it can look effective to have a range of different sizes if you’re planning to have a cluster of pumpkins say on a doorstep. Smaller pumpkins can be used for mini terrariums placed on dinner tables.
If you’re keen to make one statement pumpkin terrarium, choose a medium or large pumpkin. Keep in mind though that as you fill your pumpkin it will become heavier so if your pumpkin starts off too large, they’ll be more to fill, making it difficult to move your new terrarium.
TIP: Instead of buying from a supermarket, why not visit a pumpkin farm, or take a trip to a farm shop where you’ll find a wider range of shapes, varieties and colours?
Any excess pumpkin can be used to make a hearty pumpkin soup, idea to warm you up on an autumn evening. Here’s a delicious recipe.
How to make a pumpkin terrarium
You will need:
How to make a pumpkin terrarium
Step 1
The first step is to check your pumpkin’s shape. If you've got a flat-top pumpkin you can omit the carving altogether and simply glue down the moss before adding your plants, using the surface as your base. But if you're working with a classic round pumpkin, you'll need to carve a space from the top fit your plants in.
To do this, mark out the top of your pumpkin using black felt pen and carve out to remove the lid, just as you would if carving in the traditional way using a knife. You'll want the top of the pumpkin to be quite wide as this is where your terrarium will be positioned.
Step 2
Next, remove the insides of the pumpkin with a spoon so there is enough space to add your plants.
Step 3
Fill your pumpkin to the top with moss to create a grassy effect. Trim your moss slightly with scissors and also put some aside for later.
Step 4
Remove your succulents or other plants from their pots and place directly onto the moss.
Step 5
When you’re positioning them, arrange your plants in size order. Place your biggest succulent in the centre as a focal point and to draw attention to your terrarium. Place smaller plants around this one. If you find your plants don't stick to the moss, add some non-toxic glue (which won't harm your plants) to hold them in place. Spray on water as needed to moisten any plants.
Step 6
Once you've finished placing your plants in the moss, add the extra moss saved from earlier around the sides to give your terrarium a rustic look, then stand back and admire your handiwork.
Caring for your pumpkin terrarium
Sadly as this is a live terrarium, your pumpkin terrarium won't last very long, so you may want to make it as close to Halloween as you can. It will look effective and is guaranteed to wow any guests who visit your home.
Once your pumpkin starts to go soft it will begin to decay and may loose its shape. That’s when you know it’s time to place it with your compost or throw it out.
If you’re keen to have a longer lasting terrarium, you could try using artificial plants including artificial moss. You may be able to find an artificial pumpkin too, perhaps one that’s ceramic as the base, or you could still use a real pumpkin and take out and store any artificial plants for future years.
Happy Halloween crafting!
Do you love crafting? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!
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