These 2-Minute “Mumkins” Are Going Viral on Instagram

This might finally be the year I ditch carving a pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern. And it’s all thanks to a DIY shown in a viral Instagram video. This one is so simple that it may even trump other DIY projects I’ve fallen in love with this year (this garland included!), as it’s not overly Halloween-specific. It’s definitely far from spooky, and leans more delightfully seasonal.

“You’ll never look at a pumpkin the same way again,” Carleigh Bodrug (@plantyou) wrote over a recent video on the platform. In just under 10 days, it’s racked up nearly 100,000 likes and a fair share of reactions — many of which praise Carleigh for coming up with such a simple way to beautify the entryway of your home.

In the clip, Carleigh shares how she made planters for potted mums out of pumpkins simply by cutting off the top and removing the innards. This project is so simple and so easy, you’ll want to put all your outdoor plants in pumpkins as soon as you finish the video.

The best part? When your Halloween decorations come down in the first week of November, you don’t want your porch to suddenly feel sad — if you have leftover jack-o’-lanterns, you also could reuse them in this style hack that makes the most of pumpkin season. 

To make these planters for your porch, pick up a pumpkin that is just slightly larger than the plastic pot your flowers come in. Using a serrated knife, cut a hole around the stem of the pumpkin larger in circumference than the lip of your plant pot — your flowers will spill out of the top and the plastic pot totally disappears inside the pumpkin. Remove all the guts and seeds using a metal spoon (save the seeds for roasting later!) and that’s it — you’re done! 

Worried about how long the pumpkins will last? You’re not alone — humidity in some areas may turn your pumpkins sour sooner than you’d like. But don’t worry! In the comment section, one user came up with a tip that may lengthen the life of your new porch decor. 

“Line them with Vaseline to seal it,” commented Elizabeth Eigenman, a photographer by trade, per her Instagram bio. “Worked okay … better than without.”

If you’re going to lean into what users are calling the “Mumkin” look, experiment with different types and colors of pumpkins to vary the display next to your front door.

Another ingenious tip? You could also carve up faux pumpkins to keep critters at bay and reuse year after year instead of buying fresh pumpkins. These pumpkins usually only come in smaller sizes, so you may have to divide your plants into smaller pots if you decide to go the faux route.

Whether you spend a few minutes or a few hours (if you choose faux!), the “Mumkin” project is so easy to complete and will make your front door, porch, or stoop really stand out this autumn. This pumpkin DIY feels so timeless!