How long will a jack-o'-lantern take to rot?

Answer 1

Within about 4 days being carved, pumpkins show signs of mold and collapse. So you should carve yours no sooner than 2 or 3 days before Halloween. Within 7 days, it will turn gooey and leak out the remaining fluids. Carved jack-o-lanterns should be disposed of within a week of creation unless they are in a very cold outdoor environment, and even then will rot within 2 or 3 weeks at the longest.

You can slow the process down with the use of something to seal the cut edges, vaseline and vegetable oil are good, but be careful as both are flammable.

Answer 2

A pumpkin can rot in three to four weeks if it is carved. If it is not carved, it will rot in five to six weeks this is my answer.