Halloween is one of our favorite holidays hands down thanks to the many and abundant opportunities it brings to deck out your house inside and out. We wait for it all year long and frankly wish it would never end. From Halloween parties to pumpkin carving, there are so many fun ways for people of all ages to celebrate. Unfortunately, the season doesn't last forever—and neither do the real pumpkins you pick at the patch or the store and sit out on your porch. If you're wondering how long do carved pumpkins last, the answer, in our opinion, is not nearly long enough. Luckily, there are things you can do to help your carefully carved masterpiece last longer.
An uncarved pumpkin will last longer, but jack-o'-lanterns are a tradition for a reason. Not only is making them wickedly fun for everyone, but you end up with a unique decoration you won't see on anyone else's porch. How fun is that? From spooky faces worthy of nightmares to cute carvings like cats or bats, carving pumpkins is a piece of autumn nostalgia that's worth the goopy parts. Just picture how whimsical and inviting your home will look with carved pumpkins on the porch and candles lighting them up from the inside out. Plus, you can save the innards and make pumpkin pie and pumpkin seeds.
However, since fresh pumpkins are technically a fruit and not a decoration that will last for the whole season, you can expect your carved pumpkins to start to rot. After all, the same thing would happen with any other fruit you sat on your front porch—thick rind or not. Whether you're wondering when it's time to say goodbye to your jack-o'-lantern or if there are any secret ways to make them last even longer, don't worry, we've got you covered. Read on to find out how long carved pumpkins last.
How Long Do Carved Pumpkins Last?
The sad and unfortunate reality of carving pumpkins is that rotting begins the second you slice into them. Once you introduce pumpkin flesh to the elements, it starts to decay. Carved pumpkins typically last anywhere from three to five days, but if you keep a few practices in mind, you might be able to expand that by days and even weeks.
Tips for Making Carved Pumpkins Last Even Longer
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.
- Consider wearing latex gloves when you carve the pumpkin to keep the natural oils on your hands from transferring onto it and expediting rotting.
- Apply a sealant to the exposed parts. We suggest using coconut oil or petroleum jelly. ,
- Spray on a natural bug and mold repellent. One part white vinegar to 10 parts water is a common and effective formula. Don't use bleach or nail polish, which can be harmful to cats, dogs, and any other animals that wander onto your porch. Using bleach also means you can't compost your pumpkin after the holiday is over.
- Keep your carved pumpkin in the shade and avoid direct sunlight.
- Turn on your porch fan if you have one or use a box fan to keep bugs away from your pumpkin.
- If you want your carved pumpkin to be around during Halloween, make sure you carve it no earlier than three days before.
Taylor Augustin is a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer with 6+ years of experience testing and reviewing products. Her work can be found in Teen Vogue, Popsugar, Byrdie, Cosmo, and more. When she’s not typing away, you can find her perusing the aisles at Sephora, going to pilates, and reading the latest psychological thrillers on her Kindle. Connect with Taylor on Instagram.
