Carved, painted, or simply stacked on your front steps or porch, pumpkins are the quintessential Halloween decoration. But, like all vegetables, gourds eventually decay, and that begs the question: How long do carved pumpkins really last? And is there anything you can do to prolong the life of your creative gourd?
If you don't take the right steps in caring for your pumpkin, they can become a haven for mold, bugs, and other frightful pests. Fortunately, our experts share a few tricks for keeping your prized Jack-o'-Lantern looking fresh throughout the spooky season.
As soon as you carve a pumpkin, the clock starts counting down to its inevitable decline, says Ashley Renne Nsonwu, host of the show Ashley Renne on Smart Healthy Green Living. "You have anywhere from three to five days max before they start to soften and get moldy," she says. That's because once the insides of the pumpkin are exposed to the elements, the rotting process begins.
Source an Unblemished, Local Pumpkin
Make sure you start with the best-looking pumpkin you can find. "Look for ones with the least amount of bruises and blemishes," says Renne Nsonwu. "You'll have better luck if you get them locally. Less transport means less bumping and bruising—and as a bonus, it's more eco-friendly because the pumpkin has a lower carbon footprint!"
Carve Immediately
If you want your pumpkin to last more than five days, Renne Nsonwu says you'll need to make sure you're getting the timing right. "You'll want to get your pumpkin within a week of when you plan to carve it," she says.
Consider the Weather and Your Location
In addition to picking the right pumpkin, factors like weather and geography will impact how long it lasts, according to Kevin Busch, VP of operations of Mr. Handyman, a Neighborly brand. "The colder the climate, the longer your pumpkin will last," he says. That means those who live in areas that are already experiencing chillier temperatures will see their pumpkins remain in good shape longer than those who live further south.
To extend the life of your pumpkin just a little bit more, Renne Nsonwu says you should clean it out well and disinfect it with a solution.
Castile Soap
"Some swear by bleach, but I'm not a fan," she says. "Bleaching your pumpkins means you can't compost them later!" Instead, she says to make a Castile soap spritz, which will delay the decay process.
Combine 1 tablespoon of Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap ($10.79, target.com) with 6 drops of peppermint oil in an 8-ounce spray bottle.
Fill the bottle with water.
Thoroughly spraying your pumpkin inside and out.
Vinegar and Petroleum Jelly
Another method that Busch swears by includes spraying your carved pumpkin down with a white vinegar solution. After you have spritzed on the vinegar, he suggests applying petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to the exposed areas and the interior of your pumpkin. "This will create a barrier that won't allow the pumpkin to dry out, and also protects [it] from external humidity, rain, or other elements that can jumpstart the rotting process," he says.
Skip Carving
Of course, if you want your pumpkin to last throughout the fall, Busch says to skip carving it entirely. "Consider an alternative way of decorating with pumpkins that [doesn't] require any cutting," he says. "Keeping your pumpkin intact is the best way to preserve it longer." He suggests painting a face or design—or applying stick-on embellishments.
If you want to make your carved pumpkins last even longer than the typical three to five days, keep these tips and tricks in mind. Choose a perfect pumpkin! Find one with minimal blemishes that has a long green stem. Make sure your pumpkin is completely dry before you start carving.
Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of your pumpkin. Peppermint is antifungal and will slow the decomposition process, significantly extending the life of your pumpkin.
Petroleum jelly is a suitable option for preserving a pumpkin if you don't want to use bleach. Instead of spraying and soaking your pumpkin, just swipe some petroleum jelly onto the carved parts to serve as a protective layer.
Wipe down all surfaces of the pumpkin with a vinegar-water solution (1 part vinegar to 1 part water) to kill bacteria and fungal spores. You can then spray the pumpkin daily with this solution. If you're only going to apply one treatment, this is the one to choose.
Another effective method that might surprise you is using hydrogen peroxide on your pumpkins. By simply applying a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to the carved surfaces of your pumpkin, you can prevent microbial growth, thus slowing down the rotting process.
Another method is to lightly spray the cut interior with a solution of 1 tablespoon peppermint Castile soap in a quart of water. Peppermint is a natural anti-fungal and will slow the decaying processing.
Coating your pumpkin's exterior with petroleum jelly will definitely make the thing shine, but for this method, we recommend coating the interior. Vaseline will work wonders to keep your pumpkin's flesh from drying excessively. Video embed unavailable.
Pro-Tip: After you're done carving, spray your pumpkin with a light coating of WD-40® Multi-Use Product. Not only does it grant extra shine, but the coating will help the pumpkin last a bit longer and delay the onset of decay. Be sure not to spray near a lit candle and wipe away any excess liquid with a cloth or rag.
Soak your pumpkin in a bleach bath and then cover the carved areas in petroleum jelly to make sure you've got your bases covered. Do these tricks multiple times a week if you're really invested in your pumpkins. Spray it with hairspray or a bleach/water mix every couple of days to keep it fresh.
If it's a carved pumpkin you're treating, you can use petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to rub into all the exposed parts (do this after a bleach soak for twice the benefits). Petroleum jelly, according to these carving experts, helps it to not dry out and shrivel up.
"Carve no more than three days before Halloween," Evan recommends. If you plan to celebrate on the weekend before or after Halloween, pick a pumpkin carving date a few days before the celebration. Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!
Generally, carved pumpkins last between 3 to 5 days, but weather and sunlight can play a huge role in your lantern's life. If you live in a colder climate, your pumpkin could last up to a week, but if it's exposed to heat, it may only last a few days.
Store it: The best way to store cut pumpkin is to wrap it tightly in beeswax wrap, cling wrap or bag and place it in the fridge. If using beeswax wrap, take the seeds out first. Freeze it: Cooked or raw pumpkin can be frozen. Cut raw pumpkin and store in a labelled sealable freezer bag or container.
Soak your pumpkin in a bleach bath and then cover the carved areas in petroleum jelly to make sure you've got your bases covered. Do these tricks multiple times a week if you're really invested in your pumpkins. Spray it with hairspray or a bleach/water mix every couple of days to keep it fresh.
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