Put A Trendy Twist On Your Fall Decor With David Bromstad's DIY Succulent Pumpkins

Everyone loves decorating for fall with pumpkins. Whether carved or wholly intact, they simply exemplify the color and beauty of the season. Pumpkins are often displayed in the yard or on the front porch, but they can also make a beautiful centerpiece. HGTV star of "My Lottery Dream Home" David Bromstad has a wonderful way for you to make a lovely fall centerpiece and succulent display out of a pumpkin.

Succulents are any plants that store water in their leaves, making them extremely drought-tolerant. Technically, cacti are succulents, but generally, when talking about them, people are referring to the small, compact plant varieties like Chinese jade, silver dollar plants, opalina, hens and chicks, and hawthoria. The many varieties of succulents are some of the most popular houseplants around, and combining them with the most popular fall squash makes for a rustic, natural, gorgeous display for your home. However, succulents like it warm, so make sure you bring your centerpiece inside if the nights, or the days, get chilly. This will ensure they stay fresh and healthy, leaving you with a centerpiece display of succulents on a pumpkin that is sure to bring plenty of admiration from your guests.

To make the best pumpkin and succulent centerpiece, pick a pumpkin with a flat top — something wide and squat with a lot of real estate around where the stem would be (you'll want to remove it). Gather together spray adhesive, sphagnum moss, a variety of succulents, and a glue gun with sticks. Before you begin, place your pumpkin on an absorbent base to prevent moisture from collecting and rotting your gourd. For example, a piece of cardboard works, but you want to hide or disguise the absorbent underlayer without taking away from the beauty of your centerpiece. You also have the option of spray painting the pumpkin to match your decor, but it's not necessary.

Spray the adhesive over the top of your pumpkin. Before it dries, artfully place the moss. Sphagnum moss has long, springy fibers, comes in earthy hues, and is a haven for succulents. They love to take root in it and will thrive there. Then glue the succulents around the moss, working from the center with the tallest plants, to the pumpkin's outer edges with the smaller ones. Spritz with water every few days to keep the succulents moist, and when the pumpkin starts to lose its vitality, you can slice off its top with the succulents still attached and place it in a potter on top of some potting soil. The pumpkin will rot away, feeding the soil, and the succulents will flourish all year long.