An outdoor pumpkin topiary is a stack of pumpkins on a center pole. It sits by my she shed door for Halloween and the kids just love it. I made mine from four jack o’lantern buckets I found on clearance at Michaels, black and rust paint, and cinnamon. Here is how to make one, step by step.
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How to Make an Outdoor Pumpkin Topiary
To make an outdoor pumpkin topiary, you need to paint four buckets and seal them. If you can find buckets with a cut out jack o’lantern face, that is great, but you could also paint the face on, or cut out a face using a sheet of black foam. Set a wooden dowel in plaster of Paris. Weight the bottom bucket with gravel and soil. Then slide the smaller buckets onto the dowel.
The rusty finish is the fun part. It is just craft paint and kitchen cinnamon.
If you can paint, glue, and stack, you can make this.
Why You’ll Love This Project
- Beginner friendly. There is no carving and no sewing. You paint, glue, and stack.
- It lasts for years. Buckets do not rot like real pumpkins. You can bring this topiary out every fall.
- Easy to customize. Keep it rusty and rustic, or add flowers, greenery, and ribbon to match your fall decor.
- Made for the porch. Style it by the front door, on the steps, or in the garden.
Supplies Needed to Make Pumpkin Topiaries
This is not your average stacked pumpkin topiary. no real pumpkins here!
I used a set of jack o’lantern buckets I found at Michaels for 90% off. I knew I would dream up a project for them, and this was it.
Plastic pumpkin buckets work too. You will get the same look, but you need to make sure you weight the bottom bucket well.
- 1 large bucket or pumpkin
- 3 smaller buckets or pumpkins
- 1 4-inch clay pot
- Black fabric (If your buckets have cutout faces)
- Duct tape
- Black Acrylic Paint
- Rust color acrylic paint
- Cinnamon
- 1 – 1/2″ wooden dowel
- 3 small scraps of wood (one for each small bucket)
- Plaster of Paris
- Plastic container (to hold the dowel and plaster of Paris)
- Gravel
- Soil
- Dried floral foam
- Plants or flowers to decorate your topiary
- Glue gun
- Matte clear acrylic spray
- Drill
Step-by-Step Guide to Create Outdoor Pumpkin Topiaries
Step 1: Paint Your Buckets
I loved these buckets, but not the finish. I wanted them to look old and rusty.
First, paint the bucket black. Then dab on some orange or rust colored acrylic paint.
There is no need to be tidy here. Messy paint looks more aged.
Next, sprinkle cinnamon all over the bucket while the paint is still wet. Tap off the extra cinnamon and let the bucket dry.
Repeat on the other three buckets.
I use this same cinnamon trick to make rusty old mini liquor bottles for Halloween.
Tip from wendy:
Test the paint and cinnamon on the bottom of one bucket first. The clear spray in Step 2 darkens the cinnamon a lot. If you want a lighter rust, use less cinnamon than you think you need.
Step 2: Apply a Clear Coat of Acrylic Spray
Spray each bucket with a clear matte acrylic spray. I gave mine a few coats.
The spray seals the paint and holds the cinnamon in place.
Keep in mind that the spray darkens the cinnamon to a deep rusty color. That was just what I was after.
Step 3: Cover the Face Cutouts
My first thought was to plant these buckets with real mums. But buckets filled with dirt would be very heavy. So I moved on to plan B.
I covered the face cutouts from the inside. That way you can fill the bucket, and you cannot see through the holes.
First, I cut a few pieces from an old drop cloth and spray painted them black.
Then I glued the fabric inside the bucket with a glue gun. I added duct tape around the edges on the inside to hold it.
Step 4: Create a Sturdy Dowel Base
This fall topiary needs a solid base to hold the buckets.
I used an old plastic container from my kitchen and a 1/2 inch wooden dowel, about 36 inches long.
Mix a batch of plaster of Paris. Stand the dowel in the center of the container. Pour the plaster all around the dowel.
We wedged two small pieces of wood inside the container to hold the dowel straight.
Let the plaster set for about 30 minutes.
Tip from wendy:
Pick a plastic container that fits inside your large bucket with an inch to spare all around. Check the fit before you pour. Plaster of Paris sets fast, and you cannot move the dowel once it grabs.
Step 5: Prepare the Buckets for Stacking
Start with the three small buckets. Glue a small piece of wood into the bottom of each one. The wood supports the bucket when you drill.
Drill a hole through the wood and the bottom of each bucket. Make the hole just big enough for the dowel.
We drilled at a slight angle so the buckets would tilt. I am not sure you need to. They wanted to tilt on their own once they were on the dowel.
Now set up the large bucket.
First, place the plaster container with the dowel inside the largest bucket.
Second, fill around the container with gravel and soil. The bottom bucket needs weight to support the buckets above it.
Third, slide a 4 inch clay pot upside down over the dowel. This leaves room to tuck flowers or greenery into the large bucket.
Step 6: Stack the Buckets into a Topiary
Now put your outdoor stacked pumpkin topiary together.
Slide one bucket onto the dowel. Push it down until it rests on the bucket below.
Repeat until all three small buckets are on the dowel. Trim the dowel if it sticks out the top.
Styling Your Outdoor Pumpkin Topiary
I used faux plants and a few small pumpkins I transformed from the dollar tree to decorate my topiary. Here are a few reasons why I chose to use faux plants and not real.
One, dirt and real plants are heavy. Two, I did not want water on my buckets. I want them to last for years.
I set a small block of dried floral foam inside each bucket. Then I tucked my greens into the foam.
Here is what I used:
- Large faux cabbages
- Faux ferns
- A small pumpkin, made rusty with the same paint and cinnamon
- Seed pods from my jacaranda tree
- A bit of Spanish moss
You can use anything you like. Think outside of the box and shop your yard first.
Other Ways to Make a Stacked Pumpkin Topiary
You do not need metal buckets to make this project. The same dowel base works with other pumpkins.
- Plastic trick or treat pails. These are light and cheap. Paint them the same way.
- Faux craft pumpkins. Pull off the stems and drill a hole straight through each one. Stack them largest to smallest.
- Real pumpkins. These are heavy, so use a thicker stake set in a pot of soil. Plan on one season only.
Have a few extra pails? I also turned old trick or treat buckets into DIY Halloween lanterns.
Where to Display a Pumpkin Topiary
A pumpkin topiary is tall, so it works best where you need height.
- By the front door. One topiary on the hinge side of the door greets guests without blocking the way.
- In a pair. Make two and set one on each side of the door for a classic look.
- On the front porch steps. Tuck it into a corner with mums and a few loose pumpkins.
- In the garden. Set it in a flower bed as a fall focal point.
Frequently Asked Questions
A covered porch is best. The clear spray helps, but craft paint and cinnamon are not waterproof. Steady rain can wear the rusty finish away.
Add more gravel to the bottom bucket. Set the topiary against a wall or in a corner. On very windy days, lift off the top bucket or move the topiary inside.
Pull out the greenery and slide the buckets off the dowel. Store the buckets and the base in a dry place. Do not nest the buckets tightly, or the cinnamon finish can rub off.
Yes. Skip the black fabric in the buckets you want to glow. Set a battery LED candle or a strand of battery fairy lights inside. Never use a real candle.
Fast setting concrete mix works well. It takes longer to cure, but it makes a heavier base. That extra weight helps outdoors.
Wrapping Up
And that’s it, your very own outdoor pumpkin topiary.
It is a simple project, but it makes a big impact. It adds instant charm to a fall porch.
I love how easy it is to customize with greenery, flowers, or a splash of color. However you style it, this DIY topiary is sure to make your home feel warm and welcoming this season.
I hope you’ll give this Halloween topiary a try. I’d love to see how you make it your own.
Other Fall Posts from WM Design House
If you love this post, you might also enjoy some of my other fall decor and DIY projects
Outdoor Pumpkin Topiary
Equipment
- 1 Drill with 1/2" drill bit
- 1 Paintbrush
- 1 Can of matte clear acrylic spray
- 1 Glue gun and glue sticks
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 Mixing cup and stir stick for the plaster
- 1 Saw (only if you need to trim the dowel)
Materials
- 1 large jack o’lantern bucket
- 3 small jack o’lantern buckets
- 1 clay pot 4 inch
- Black fabric scraps for the face cutouts
- Duct tape
- Black acrylic paint
- Rust colored acrylic paint
- Ground cinnamon
- 1 wooden dowel 1/2 inch by 36 inches
- 3 small wood scraps
- Plaster of Paris
- 1 plastic container
- Gravel
- Potting soil
- Dried floral foam
- Faux greenery and dried stems
Instructions
- Paint each bucket black, then dab on rust colored paint. Sprinkle cinnamon over the wet paint. Tap off the extra and let dry.
- Spray each bucket with a few coats of clear matte acrylic spray.
- Glue black fabric inside each bucket to cover the face cutouts. Tape the edges with duct tape.
- Stand the dowel in a plastic container. Pour plaster of Paris around it. Let it set for 30 minutes.
- Glue a wood scrap into the bottom of each small bucket. Drill a hole for the dowel through each one.
- Place the dowel base in the large bucket. Fill around it with gravel and soil. Set a 4 inch clay pot upside down over the dowel.
Notes
- The clear spray darkens the cinnamon to a deep rust. Test on the bottom of one bucket first.
- Pour the plaster in a container that fits inside the large bucket. Plaster sets fast, so check the fit before you mix.
- Keep the topiary on a covered porch. The finish is not waterproof.
- To store, pull the greenery, slide the buckets off the dowel, and keep them in a dry spot. Do not nest the buckets or the finish can rub off.
Did you make this craft?
We would love to see what you have created, so mention us @wmdesignhouse or tag us using #wmdesignhouse so we can see your creations!
More about me!
Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.
How cute are these rusty pumpkins! I love this!
This is one of the cutest Autumn decor projects I’ve ever seen! What a fun and charming display.
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thank you so much, Richelle, I am so honored to be featured on your link party. I apologize for getting back to you so late as I was at a conference all day. I hope you had a wonderful day.
This is so beautiful! Using cinnamon is a great idea. I’ll be featuring it on tomorrow’s Crafty Creators Link Party.
Hi Niki, Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I am honored to be featured on your link party.
I apologize for getting back to you so late, I was at a conference all day. I hope you have a great weekend.
This is just adorable! It really caught my eye! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you so much. I hope you get a chance to try it.
Such a fun pumpkin topiary. Love the tutorial on how to create it. Thanks for sharing. I am happy to feature your cute pumpkin topiary at Love Your Creativity.
Wendy this came out so cute! I’m sharing in my Nesting post this morning! Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much Nicolle, I appreciate that so much. I hope you have a great weekend.
I love this! A great tutorial and fabulous result!
Wendy
This project is just the cutest ever. I’m sharing a link on my Dirt Road Adventures.
Hi Rachel, thank you so much. I am glad you liked it. Have a wonderful weekend my friend.
Wendy, you are amazing!!! I love these little rusty buckets! I am going to try this technique on a few little buckets and will let you know how it goes! Thanks for the tips!
Thank you Elizabeth, I hope you enjoy the process, I was putting cinnamon on everything, LOL
Oh my gosh, this is the cutest topiary ever! Such a darling idea, Wendy! I love the idea of using cinnamon to “age and rust” the pumpkin buckets. I may have to hunt down some similar buckets to try my hand at this!
Thank you Kristy! It is very easy and fun to make. The bonus is that it smells divine as well. Happy Fall and thanks for joining me on my first hop.
Such an awesome project! I love how kind of tipsy they are – like pumpkins having fun! I also adore that cinnamon finish – it looks like rust and so real. Another amazing project Wendy…hmmm can you for once not do sooooo good ahahaha I am getting a serious inferiority complex! Thanks for letting me join this hop – it was fantastic!
Thank you so much, Crystal, it was a very fun project to create. I too love how tipsy they are, LOL
I love this project, Wendy! The cinnamon is genius; it looks so real. With artificial plants, it could be used inside, too, but of course it’s adorable by your vintage SheShed. Thanks so much for hosting this fun hop!
Thank you Lora. You are right, it certainly could come inside and it smells so good. Thank you for joining us today.
This is a stunning project!! Also, your video editing is on point Wendy!! Amazing job!
I love this Wendy. Its such a cute idea. Would look great at the front door?
Thank you Anita, it was really fun to make. I did move it to my back porch for now and I am loving it. It smells so good everytime I walk by it.
This is freakin’ awesome!! I have to add the cinnamon trick to my DIY toolbox…also cannot believe that the cabbages are fakes!! They look so real. Thanks for organizing!!
Thank you, friend! I tell my husband to beware. I may cinnamon him if he gets in my way! Thanks for hopping with me today.
I absolutely love how this project turned out, Wendy! It’s so creative and simply beautiful! I am in awe!
Thank you Meredith, so kind of you. I too am in awe of your darling terra cotta pumpkins. Im head to your blog now to see how you made them.
Such a clever project, Wendy! And your instructions are so clear! You have put together an amazing group of bloggers for this hop. I feel so honored to be included! Thank you, my friend! ~Missy
Thank you Missy. It was a very fun project to build. Thank you for joining me on this fun venture. We will do it again soon.
Wendy, I just love this idea! Loving the rust look! So unbelievably creative my friend! Great to hop with you today! Thank you so much! Susan
Thankyou Susan. The best part is the smell when you walk by it. Happy FAll!
Thank you Susan. The best part is the smell when you walk by it. Happy FAll!
This is super cute Wendy!
Thank you so much Kim, it was a very fun project to create.
This is such a great idea Wendy! I recently discovered cinnamon for creating and love the rusty, grungy results that smell good!
Thank you Cindy. It indeed smells yummy and perfect for fall. Thank you for joining us today on the blog hop.
Your topiary is so cute and looks beautiful decorated for fall! I would never think to use cinnamon! Thanks for sharing and organizing our hop today! Pinned?
Thank you Kim! Thank you for hopping along with me today.