Pumpkin Centerpieces with Flowers: An Easy DIY

Nothing says autumn charm quite like pumpkin centerpieces with flowers. They’re the perfect mix of seasonal style and natural beauty. Using fresh flowers in pumpkin centerpieces creates stunning fresh flower arrangements that bring warmth to any table, whether you’re crafting a fall floral pumpkin design, trying your hand at pumpkin fresh flower arrangements, or making your own real pumpkin DIY flower arrangements. As a gardener who grows both dahlias (a favorite bloom for pumpkin centerpieces with flowers) and pumpkins, I have made them for tea parties and other gatherings, as they lend themselves well to summer-into-fall party themes, such as a pumpkin-themed party.

Why I Love Creating Floral Pumpkin Centerpieces

From a decorative floral pumpkin centerpiece for your entryway to a fall-themed floral centerpiece for gatherings, these ideas double as beautiful Thanksgiving floral arrangements, fall floral centerpieces, and even fall shower centerpieces. Perfect as fall party decor ideas, a pumpkin vase centerpiece or pumpkin bouquet makes an eye-catching pumpkin table centerpiece that’s as versatile as it is festive. Whether you prefer rustic fall centerpieces, simple fall centerpieces, or elegant pumpkin floral arrangements, these easy fall arrangements will inspire you. Create showstopping fall arrangements with these simple floral design ideas for any occasion. If you grow your own pumpkins and dahlias like I do, these pumpkin centerpieces with fresh flowers are economical as well. Wondering how to fill a pumpkin with flowers? Let’s get started!

Easy Steps to Creating Pumpkin Centerpieces with Flowers

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making a beautiful fall pumpkin centerpiece with fresh flowers:

Choose your pumpkin

Pick a medium-sized pumpkin with a flat bottom so it sits securely. White, orange, or even heirloom green pumpkins all work. Jackpot is the variety that I grow, and I’ve been able to save seeds successfully from one year to the next.

Gather Your Supplies

In addition to the pumpkin, you will need:

Sharp knife or pumpkin carving tools

An ice cream scoop or other tool to scoop out the seeds and pumpkin flesh

Floral foam or a small vase that fits inside the pumpkin

Fresh flowers and greenery

Floral shears or scissors

Water

Optional: ribbon or decorative elements

Prepare the pumpkin

Cut off the top (like you would for carving), scoop out the seeds, and scrape the inside clean. For longer-lasting arrangements, you can place a small container or jar inside the pumpkin to hold water. That’s what I usually do.

Add a base

Fill the container with floral foam or water. This will keep your flowers fresh and secure.

Select your flowers and greenery

Choose seasonal blooms like sunflowers, mums, daisies, dahlias, roses, or hydrangeas. Add greenery such as eucalyptus or autumn leaves for texture. A full list of fall-blooming flowers is given further on down.

Arrange your flowers

Start with greenery to create a base shape. Add your largest flowers first, then layer in medium and smaller blooms. Vary heights for a natural look. You can vary the floral choices or use different colors of the same type of flower, as I do with dahlias.

Add finishing touches

Tuck in berries, wheat stalks, or greenery for extra fall charm.

Display

Place your pumpkin centerpiece on a dining table, coffee table, or entryway for instant autumn vibes.

Tip to make your pumpkin floral arrangement last longer: If you want your centerpiece to last all through Thanksgiving weekend, choose a “Cinderella” pumpkin or white pumpkin (they’re sturdier and last longer than carving pumpkins).

Best Flowers to Use for Pumpkin Centerpieces with Flowers

Here’s a list of gorgeous fall-blooming flowers that work beautifully in pumpkin flower arrangements. These blooms are seasonal, sturdy, and give that cozy autumn look:

Classic Fall Flowers

Chrysanthemums (Mums) – Available in rich oranges, reds, yellows, and purples.

Dahlias – Bold, full blooms that make a statement.

Marigolds – Vibrant orange and gold, perfect for rustic centerpieces.

Sunflowers – Cheerful and sturdy, ideal for larger arrangements.

Zinnias – Bright, long-lasting blooms that add texture.

Elegant Focal Flowers

Roses – Deep burgundy, cream, and orange varieties pair beautifully with pumpkins.

Gerbera Daisies – Bold and colorful for a playful vibe.

Anemones – Dark centers create striking contrast.

Calla Lilies – Sleek, elegant option for more modern designs.

Seasonal Accents & Fillers

Sedum – Adds texture and a soft blush tone.

Celosia (Cockscomb) – Unique shape, rich jewel tones.

Asters – Delicate daisy-like flowers that bloom late in the season.

Goldenrod – Airy, feathery filler with bright yellow blooms.

Eucalyptus or Autumn Leaves – Perfect greenery with fall flair.

Flower Combination Tip: Mixing large focal flowers (like dahlias or sunflowers) with smaller accent flowers (like asters or sedum) and fall foliage makes a pumpkin centerpiece look full and balanced.

Ready-Made Fall Floral Combinations for Pumpkin Centerpieces

 

Here are some ready-made fall flower combinations (color palettes + flower pairings) that look stunning in pumpkin flower arrangements:

Rustic Farmhouse

Warm and cozy, perfect for a kitchen table or farmhouse-style dining room.

Sunflowers (yellow)

Orange zinnias or marigolds

Red mums

Eucalyptus or wheat stalks

Elegant Neutrals

Chic and timeless, ideal for a neutral or modern home.

Cream or white roses

Pale dahlias

Dusty pink sedum

Silver dollar eucalyptus

Bold Jewel Tones

Dramatic and rich, gorgeous for evening gatherings or formal dining.

Burgundy dahlias (Black Satin variety is a favorite long-stemmed variety.)

Purple asters

Magenta celosia (cockscomb)

Dark red roses

Traditional Harvest

Bright, cheerful, and classic, great for Thanksgiving tables.

Orange mums

Golden marigolds

Deep red zinnias

Goldenrod filler

Woodland Rustic

A nature-inspired look that feels cozy and organic.

Deep burgundy dahlias (Black Satin is a great variety for this, with long stems that are perfect for cut flower arrangements.)

Cream or ivory roses

Brown magnolia leaves or autumn oak leaves

Pinecones or seed pods tucked in

Fall Flower Arrangement Tip: Use one large focal flower (like a dahlia or sunflower) as the star of your arrangement, then surround it with smaller blooms and greenery to fill the pumpkin.

Organize Your Party Tasks with a Free Planner Notebook

As a result of needing to keep track of gatherings (pumpkin-themed, lemon-themed, butterfly-themed, apple-themed, sunflower-themed, raclette party and more) planning efforts and garden tasks throughout the year, I decided to begin a planner notebook for gatherings as well as for gardening. It has a page for each month, along with notes pages. I can make notes about when to harvest blooms for DIY projects or for gatherings. If a gathering and garden planner notebook seems like a good idea to you, good news! You can get it here!

Get the garden notebook!

Have a wonderful week, and may all of your pumpkin floral centerpiece endeavors meet with success!

 

Lisa Mitchell is a wife, mom, and school librarian who likes to grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers on her family’s small Pacific Northwest farm. To learn more about what this website has to offer gardeners, click on over to the Garden page.

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