Are you looking for an easy floral decor project that gets your home fall-ready in a jiffy? You can make a pretty pumpkin vase with this quick tutorial.

Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you’re going to easily be able to do this project. The most important skill is knowing how to carve a pumpkin and remove the insides.

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to fall decorating, I absolutely love going with natural materials and textures as much as possible. I just love that sort of feel on my mantels and for table decor.

Along those lines, I really love pumpkin. I like the gourd itself for decorating and I like the recipes (give me all the pumpkin desserts). What can’t you do with pumpkin in the fall? I like decorating fake pumpkins and I like decorating real ones as well.

In fact, these DIY pumpkin vases are made with REAL pumpkins! Yep, I’m going to show you how to turn pumpkins into vases that make perfect autumn decor or table centerpieces. These are great for Thanksgiving decorating too.

This works for any size pumpkin; the only difference is how much floral foam you use and how many flowers you use.

DIY Pumpkin Vases

Before we jump into the tutorial, here are a few frequently asked questions about this project. If you’re ready to dive in, simply skip this section and get right to it. If you’re interested, I hope these answers help you on your pumpkin vase journey.

How do you make a pumpkin vase?

It’s relatively simple. We’re going to cut the top out of the pumpkin, remove the guts, and then add floral foam and flowers. Once you get the hang of it, you’re going to be able to make several of these quite easily.

Looking down on some pumpkin vases with brightly colored flowers

How long will a pumpkin vase last?

It will last about two weeks if you aren’t containing the water in a glass vessel. It can last much longer if you use a glass vessel to keep bacteria from the flowers from getting into the pumpkin.

You can help extend the life of a carved pumpkin by soaking it in a bucket of water and 2/3 cup bleach (yes, already carved). Leave there for 24 hours if you can. I didn’t do that because I used these pumpkin vases for a table display, but it’s an option.

How do you put fresh flowers in a pumpkin?

You’re going to use wet floral foam (also known as OASIS)! This allows your flowers to survive, and yes, you will water it regularly. Touch the floral foam every day with your finger to check the moisture level. If it’s dry, add water until it feels saturated.

Note: Make sure you purchase wet floral foam, not dry. There is a dry version for faux flowers. I used fresh flowers.

Pumpkins, glass votives, floral foam, spoon, pumpkin carving tool, and flowers

I’m so excited to show you how to make a pumpkin vase! In addition to simple holiday decor, these make a great centerpiece for a fall wedding or Thanksgiving party. I just can’t stop thinking of the possibilities. Keep reading to learn how they’re made.

Gather These Supplies

Mini pumpkin {pie sized}
Bouquet of flowers – you can get them inexpensively from the grocery store or Trader Joes
Votive candle holder or other small glass vessel that fits inside your pumpkin
Wet style floral foam
Pumpkin carver {or knife} and spoon
Vaseline {optional}

Cutting a small circle around the stem of a pumpkin with a pumpkin carving tool

Cut a small circle around the stem of the pumpkins, roughly the size of the votive jars.

Hand removing the stem piece of a small pumpkin

Pop out the stem pieces.

Bowl filled with pumpkin guts and seeds with a spoon in it

Scoop out the seeds and reserve for roasting.

Floral foam in glass votives with a pair of scissors and bouquet of flowers

Soak the floral foam according to the package instructions. Then trim the foam pieces to fit the jars and press snugly inside.

Cutting flowers to put into the floral foam

Start arranging the jars with flowers inserted into the floral foam.

Flowers in the floral foam in the glass votives

Add more. It’s easy to pull the flowers out of the foam and reinsert if you need to.

Bouquets of flowers ready to be placed into pumpkin vases

Keep filling to your liking. You’ll want to make them relatively full for impact.

Bouquets of flowers being placed into carved out pumpkins

Then slip the jars into the carved pumpkins.

Carefully add in any stems if the arrangements don’t look full enough.

To help preserve the pumpkins and make them shine, wipe a bit of vaseline on the outside and buff gently to a shine.

And enjoy your pumpkin vase! Obviously you’re going to make a bunch of these – they look so pretty in multiples.

After we’re done with our event, we’re gifting these pumpkin vases to our teachers. They also make lovely hostess gifts, neighbor gifts . . . I told you I can’t stop thinking of ways to use these! If you make them, I’d love to know in the comments.

Yield: 3 vases

Pumpkin Vase

Learn how to make a pumpkin vase using any size gourd. Makes perfect home decor - perfect for both orange and white pumpkins!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Active Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

Small pumpkins
Bouquet of flowers
Votive candle holder
Floral foam
Vaseline {optional}

Tools

Pumpkin carver {or knife}
Spoon
Scissors

Instructions

Wash the pumpkins to remove any dirt using mild soap. Let dry.
Cut a small circle around the stems of the pumpkins, roughly the size of the votive jars.
Pop out the stem pieces and trim the part that went into the pumpkins.
Scoop out the seeds using a spoon and reserve for roasting.
Soak the floral foam according to the package instructions. Then trim the foam pieces to fit the jars and press snugly inside.
Start arranging the jars with flowers inserted into the floral foam.
Add more. It's easy to pull the flowers out of the foam and reinsert if you need to.
Slip the jars into the carved pumpkins.
Carefully add in any stems if the arrangements don't look full enough.
To help preserve the pumpkins and make them shine, wipe a bit of vaseline on the outside and buff gently to a shine.

For more DIY projects, crafts, and recipes, visit my blog, a pretty cool life. If you like this pumpkin vase idea, here are some other goodies to add to your table and fall decor: