The Best Realistic Fake Pumpkins

Tired of spending a fortune on fresh pumpkins, gourds and other fall porch decor, then having to clean up the mess every year? Those in the know go faux — with fake pumpkins! Excellent quality, realistic fake pumpkins give their real counterparts a real run for the money in looks and long-term value.

Surely you know this feeling: You load up the family, have a wonderful time doing your annual pumpkin patch tradition with lots of activities like hayrides, cider-sipping and corn mazes. If you’re like me, this is such a wonderful shopping experience to stock up on all the stuff you need for your fall porch display.

The Secret to Long-Lasting Porch Pumpkins

There’s just one problem, especially if you’re like me and live in the humid South: I know that money will be gone in just a few months, if not weeks because my porch is in full sun all day. These batches of real pumpkins disintegrate before there’s consistently crisp air, which sometimes doesn’t happen until Thanksgiving, if then!

As if it’s not tough enough to keep the massive mums watered and looking their best, the real pumpkins have had me at my wits’ end. I’ve tried everything to make pumpkins last all fall long, including spraying them with hair spray, dipping them in bleach water and more.

But it never fails … We get to Halloween and there they are, rotting on the front stoop. It’s back to the pumpkin patch to find a couple more big orange gourds for our jack-o-lanterns. And then they also rot.

So I guess that’s two problems, considering how gross they can be to clean up!

And here’s a ghoulish gourd story for the spooky season: One year, I tried storing my pumpkins in my “cellar” to see if I could make some of them last from year to year. Nope. I won’t describe to you the scene I found under my house after that experiment other than to say it was terrifying.

But, I’m here to share that I’ve finally found the most satisfying products for the solution!

Realistic Fake Pumpkins!

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The Benefits of Realistic Fake Pumpkins

Yes ma’am! These beautiful pumpkins are made from resin. Let’s talk about the top five benefits of fake pumpkins, shall we?

Faux Pumpkin Benefits

These faux pumpkins are heavy enough to withstand the elements and give you they peace of mind they won’t blow away.
Good quality fake pumpkins are so durable in the weather. Last year, I bought quite a few resin pumpkins and left them on my front porch all season long. Fully exposed to rain and sun, they still look as beautiful as they did when I put them out.
With designs that incorporate true-to-life stems, bumps and other imperfections, even the sharpest autumn aficionado won’t bat an eye about their authenticity.
There are many sizes, shapes and colors of faux pumpkins out there, so you can do the same kinds of displays you would with real pumpkins. Surround an orange pumpkin and green gourd with several smaller white pumpkins, create a multi-colored stack on a pedestal, you name it.
Fake pumpkins won’t rot on you! (Although, they will crack if you drop them, so handle them carefully.)

Fake Pumpkin Disadvantages

Disadvantages? They are kind of expensive on the front end. You may have to add to your faux pumpkin collection every year to make it work on a budget, and that’s OK! If you use them year after year instead of throwing money away on real ones, they will pay for themselves.

Call it girl math, if you want to, but I’d say it’s legit going to save you money!

Get MY Fall Front Porch Look

I will be adding to my collection this year since my front porch steps are very big and it takes a lot to make them look full. I’m so thankful I started my collection last year and that I won’t be dealing with rotten pumpkins on my front steps come October.

SHOP THE LOOK

If you are on a budget, start small this year and shop around for the best quality and best match for your decor at the most favorable price. You can fill in with other longer-lasting decor like straw bales, corn stalks, mums and wreaths of maple leaves.

Try stores in-person like Kirkland’s, Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx and Marshall’s for some great selections at a good price point.

But shop early because these long-lasting resin pumpkins tend to sell out quickly at the beginning of the season. Last year I bought mine at the beginning of September and they were all sold out by the middle of the month. So, buy them early and you’ll be ready to decorate when it’s time!

Where to get the best, most realistic faux pumpkins

Some of the best realistic-looking faux pumpkins can be found at a variety of retailers. I’ve shared my favorites for this year! Some of these are for covered porches only, so read the descriptions carefully.

front porch with fake pumpkins that look real!

How to Help Real Pumpkins Last Longer

But what if you don’t live in the South and still want the real pumpkins year after year? There are a few ways that will help elongate your real pumpkins’ longevity.

Try a Bleach Solution

Soak your real pumpkins in a bleach solution made with 1 gallon of water to 1 tablespoon of bleach. Soak them for at least 20-30 minutes. Allow them to air dry, then coat them with patroleum jelly to preserve their longevity!

Peppermint Soap Solution

If you don’t have bleach or don’t use it, a more environmentally-friendly solution would be a peppermint soap solution. Dilute one tablespoon of peppermint dish soap in a quart of water. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray on the outside of your pumpkin. Allow it to dry before displaying it.

Spray with a Sealer

Try a clear coat spray paint in a matte or satin finish to seal the pumpkins. Be sure they are cleaned off and debris free before sealing them! You can combine the bleach solution step with this one, just make sure the pumpkins are completely dry before sealing them!

real pumpkins on fall front porch brick steps. — One year I piled up all of my pumpkins and gourds on one side of the steps after I soaked them in a bleach solution.

Let me know if you choose to go to faux pumpkin route this year! I’d love to see pictures of your fall porch, so tag me over on Instagram @turquoisehome if you want to share!