Types of Pumpkins [With Pictures]
My kids and I love growing pumpkins. They make the perfect centerpiece for fall decor. You can carve them. And who doesn’t love pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, and pumpkin everything?
Creating a farm-to-table experience with pumpkins can be very exciting and also overwhelming because today there are so many varieties of pumpkins to choose from.
In this article, I’ll walk you through my favorite types of pumpkins, why I like to grow them, and give you detailed information about each so you can grow the right pumpkins for your space and goals.
Let’s do it!
What Are Pumpkins
First, for those of you brand new to pumpkins, let’s start with a definition of what a pumpkin is.
Pumpkins can vary greatly in size and color, but they have distinct profiles that separate them from other winter squash varieties.
Pumpkins are a winter squash part of the Cucurbita genus. Many are native to the Southern United States and Mexico as well as South America.
They are unique due to their iconic shape and vibrant colors. Pumpkins are usually smooth with a slightly ribbed exterior.
Pumpkins are a terrific fruit to grow because so much of it is edible from the seeds, pulp, and flesh. Their distinct flavor sets them apart. Pumpkin is subtly sweet, earthy, and slightly nutty. It’s no surprise that many types of pumpkins are used as a staple of fall seasonal dishes due to their warm comfort flavor.
Besides their use in pumpkin pies, spiced lattes, soups, salads, and pancakes, pumpkins are great as decor for fall or Halloween. Many people use pumpkins for crafts such as painting or making pumpculents. They’re also excellent to mix with other squashes and gourds for decoration. They are a signature decoration of fall.
Pumpkin Terms
Here are some pumpkin terms you may see throughout this article.
Skin
This is the outside-colored part of the pumpkin. Although typically organge, they come in all colors such as black, green, and silver.
Flesh
This is the inside part of the pumpkin that is used for cooking. This is not the stringy pulp where the seeds are, but the thick wall of the pumpkin that is under the thin skin.
Shape
This refers to the overall shape of the pumpkin. It could be round, tall, long, or flat.
Texture
When you see this word, I’m referring to the feel of the outside skin. It could be bumpy, rough, or smooth for example.
Ribbing
This is a defining characteristic of pumpkins that separates them from many other winter squash. The ribbing is the vertical stripes or grooves that you see on the outside. Some are more defined than others.
Best Pumpkin Varieties [By Category]
Best for Container Growing - Jack Be Little Pumpkin
Best for Baking - Sugar Pie Pumpkin
Best for Crafts - Lumina Pumpkin
Best for Soups - Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Best for Halloween Carving - Howden Pumpkin
Best Ornamental for Halloween - Black Kat Pumpkin
Most Traditional Pumpkin - Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin
Best for Canning Large Amounts - Big Max Pumpkin
Best for Floral Arrangements - Pumpkin on a Stick
Best for Trellising - Jack Be Little Pumpkin
Best for Growing a Giant Pumpkin - Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Best for Resistance Against Powdery Mildew - Casperita Pumpkin
Best Warty Pumpkin - Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
Best Ornamental Pumpkin for Fall - Peanut Pumpkin
Most Popular Pumpkin - Cinderella Pumpkin
Best for Growing When There Isn’t Much Time Before Frost - Casperita Pumpkin
Jack Be Little Pumpkin
Best for Container Growing and Trellising
The Jack Be Little Pumpkin is one of the smallest types of pumpkins. The vines only grow 3 to 5 feet long and they are compact. This makes it an excellent choice for growing in a container.
You can even grow it indoors if you have enough sunlight. If you grow it in a container, be sure to have at least a 5-gallon container with about 18 inches in depth. For growing indoors, place it near a window that faces the South to ensure it gets enough sunlight. All pumpkins need at least six hours of sunlight each day.
Read more about how much sunlight pumpkins need.
Jack Be Little Pumpkin Profile
Orange skin color
Grow about 6 to 10 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are 3 to 4 inches across and about 2 inches tall
Vines grow 3 to 5 feet long
Takes about 95 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Jack Be Little Pumpkins
These pumpkins are great for crafting. You can paint them or add glitter to them. If you’re looking to win this Halloween’s pumpkin painting contests, this is a great pumpkin variety to grow. Because one plant can produce up to 10 pumpkins, you’ll be sure to have a few spares in case something goes wrong.
You can eat these pumpkins too. One of my favorite things to do is to use them like a bread bowl. But instead of bread, it’s a pumpkin bowl. Fill it with an appetizer dip (like pumpkin cream cheese dip) or fill it with a savory fall soup.
Sugar Pie Pumpkin
Best for Baking
Sugar Pie Pumpkins are the standard for pies, soups, muffins, and any type of baked goods. They are sweeter in flavor compared to other pumpkins which makes them great for baking all your fall favorites.
We use them to make anything from pumpkin pies to pumpkin pancakes.
You can even use them for carving small jack-o’lanterns at Halloween.
Sugar Pie Pumpkin Profile
Orange skin color
Grow about 6 to 10 pumpkins per plant (if you grow more, they may be smaller in size)
Pumpkin sizes are 6 to 7 inches in diameter and are round
Vines grow 8 to 15 feet long
Takes about 115 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Sugar Pie Pumpkins
These pumpkins are great for making pumpkin puree which is the essential ingredient in most pumpkin dishes. One plant can easily produce enough pumpkins to make 10 cups of puree. That’s a lot of pies.
Sugar Pie Pumpkins are also great for carving and making small jack-o’lanterns. It’s a great companion to your regular-sized jack-o’lanterns. Think of it like a baby lantern.
Lumina Pumpkin
Best for Crafts
Lumina pumpkins are my favorite for crafts and painting because their skin is white and smooth. It’s perfect for the kids to decorate in the fall. It’s also a great choice for making pumpculents.
They’re also edible and a good choice for carving because they are a bit bigger than sugar pie pumpkins, but not as large as a Jack O’Lantern pumpkin.
Lumina Pumpkin Profile
White skin color
Grow about 3 to 5 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are 8 to 10 inches in diameter and they weigh about 10 to 12 pounds
Round shape
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long
Takes about 90 days to mature from seed germination (they are one of the faster-growing pumpkins)
Uses for Lumina Pumpkins
These pumpkins are great for carving, painting, and making pumpculents. The white color makes them a great addition to other fall pumpkin arrangements and makes it easy to paint them in all kinds of colors.
Whether you carve them, paint them, or simply set them in a fall arrangement, these pumpkins are sure to be a hit with the kids and neighbors alike.
Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Best for Soups
These pumpkins are my favorite for making fall soups. The flesh of the pumpkin is nutty, sweet, and stingless. And the golden orange flesh adds a terrific color to any fall soup.
While not the greatest for carving, they also look terrific in a pumpkin display on your front porch or on the dining room table. They have a unique silvery, bluish, grey to green color that makes them one of a kind.
Jarrahdale Pumpkin Profile
Silvery, bluish-grey to green skin color
Deep ribbing and flattened drum shape
Grow about 3 to 5 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 10 inches in diameter and they weigh about 6 to 12 pounds
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long
Takes about 100 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Jarrahdale Pumpkins
The most common uses of Jarrahdale pumpkins are for eating and decor. This pumpkin has a unique nutty and sweet flavor. The flesh is also stringless making it great for soups and baking.
I’ve seen many people make pumpculents out of these pumpkins as well or simply set them around the house for a splash of bluish, green color.
Howden Pumpkin
Best for Halloween Carving
The bright orange color, strong handles (stalk), and thick walls make this the ideal pumpkin for carving jack-o’lanterns. It also has that defined rib look that is characteristic of the traditional Connecticut Field pumpkin. I have found this pumpkin to be the most sturdy and easy to handle compared to other traditional carving pumpkins.
While most Jack O’Lantern pumpkins weigh around 10 pounds, the Howden can grow up to 20 pounds. The thicker walls make it better for carving and it will hold up against the elements a bit better.
Howden Pumpkin Profile
Bright orange color
Defined ribbing and large round shape
Grow 1 to 2 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are between 12 to 16 inches in diameter and they weigh about 18 to 22 pounds
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long
Takes about 110 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Howden Pumpkins
I’ve never done anything else with Howden pumpkins besides carving them. They are edible, but unlike most other pumpkins, it doesn’t have the typical slightly sweet, nutty flavor that most people associate with pumpkin.
The flesh, although thicker, is also more stringy and watery making them less than ideal for eating. But if it was the end of the world and it was the only food around, they are safe to eat.
Stick to carving this one and then compost it when the season is over.
Black Kat Pumpkin
Best Ornamental for Halloween Pumpkin
Image Source: Wilkerson Farm, UT
This spooky-looking pumpkin will be the talk of your Halloween party. The color and shape of this pumpkin make it the perfect addition to your fall ornamental pumpkin arrangement. Smaller in size and almost black in color, this pumpkin looks great grouped with gourds or other pumpkins.
It has a striking bright orange flesh which provides a one-of-a-kind contrast to the outside skin of this pumpkin.
Because these pumpkins grow from the crown of a plant and have much shorter vines, they can be grown in a container and even trellised. Make sure you have at least 5 gallons of soil in your pot and it’s at least 18 inches deep.
Black Kat Pumpkin Profile
Dark green, almost black skin color with bright orange flesh
The plant grows pumpkins from the crown unlike other pumpkins
Grow about 5 to 8 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 3 to 5 inches in diameter and they weigh about 2 pounds
Vines grow 6 to 8 feet long, shorter than most pumpkin varieties
Takes about 80 days to mature from seed germination (one of the fastest-growing pumpkin types)
Uses for Black Kat Pumpkins
Most people use these pumpkins for decorating, but they are edible and can be used to bake or make soups. They are smaller in size than sugar pie pumpkins so you’ll need more pumpkins to make the same amount of baked goods.
Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin
Most Traditional Pumpkin
This pumpkin is a cross between the Connecticut Field and a Golden Oblong pumpkin which have been the traditional pumpkin for fall carving and (you guessed it) jack o’lanterns.
While their flesh isn’t as thick as the Howden pumpkin, they are still a great size for carving and this pumpkin can store for several months. If you live in a warmer climate and you messed up on planting like I did one year, you’ll be okay storing it for Halloween.
Last year the combination of the weather and my early planting resulted in my pumpkins being ready for harvest a whole month early. Luckily these pumpkins kept just fine until the kids were ready to carve them.
Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Profile
Bright orange color
Grow about 3 to 5 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 10 inches in diameter and they weigh about 10 to 18 pounds
Pumpkin is very round with nearly the same height as it across
Vines grow 8 to 10 feet long
Takes about 105 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Jack O’Lantern Pumpkins
These pumpkins are great for carving and they’re an excellent size. While slightly smaller than the Howden pumpkins, they are still good-sized carving pumpkins.
You can eat these pumpkins, but similar to other larger carving pumpkins, the flesh is more watery and the pulp more stringy. If you’re growing pumpkins for eating, it’s best to stick with smaller varieties or the Big Max pumpkins.
Big Max Pumpkin
Best for Canning Large Amounts
If you’re looking to grow a giant pumpkin that will provide you and your friends with a year’s supply of canned pumpkin puree, this is your pumpkin. One of these pumpkins can easily weigh over 100 pounds and has a thick flesh of around 4 inches. That’s a lot of pumpkins.
If you don’t have the equipment to can, you can also freeze this pumpkin (which is oftentimes much easier and less risky).
Unlike other giant pumpkins, this one is typically round in shape and has that typical pumpkin flavor that we crave in pies and soups.
Big Max Pumpkin Profile
Bright orange skin, round, but can sometimes look slightly flattened
Grow 1 to 2 pumpkins per plant (it’s best to grow 1)
Pumpkin sizes are around 20 inches in diameter and they weigh over 100 pounds
Thick flesh of 3 to 4 inches
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long (you need a lot of room to grow this pumpkin)
Takes about 120 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Big Max Pumpkins
Big Max pumpkins are delicious in pies and baked goods. Because of their thick flesh and size, they are great for freezing or canning.
They also make great carving pumpkins for your jack o’lantern this year.
While I do consider them a giant pumpkin, there are other giant pumpkins you can grow if you really want to win that Guinness World Record.
Pumpkin on a Stick
Best for Floral Arrangements
Sometimes also referred to as Scarlet Chinese or Red China pumpkins, pumpkins on a stick are a cousin to the eggplant. They’re not really pumpkins at all. But I’m including them here because they have all the exterior characteristics of a pumpkin.
The fruits are sometimes used in Asian dishes and they can be quite bitter. But we prefer to use them in fall decor with other flowers. Because of the way they grow and their unique look, they are great in a large vase with other flowers.
This is another excellent vegetable to grow in a container because they are small and compact.
Pumpkin on a Stick Profile
Orange to red in color when ripe
Grow 12 to 25 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 2 to 3 inches with star shaped flowers
Plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall and only about 2 feet wide
They do not have vines like traditional pumpkins, but grow on “sticks”
Takes about 70 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Pumpkin on a Stick
Many people use these pumpkins for decor; however, they can also be eaten. You can find pumpkin on a stick in some Asian dishes like stir fry.
If you’re going to eat this pumpkin (or rather eggplant), most people pick them green before they ripen into the fall orange and red colors.
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Best for Growing a Giant Pumpkin
These pumpkins are enormous in size, many growing over 200 pounds or more with a 4-foot diameter. If you want to grow a giant pumpkin for fun or win that local contest, this would be my choice.
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Profile
Pale orange skin
Grow 1 pumpkin per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 4 feet in diameter and they weigh over 200 pounds
Vines grow 15 to 20 feet long (you need a lot of room to grow this pumpkin)
Takes about 120 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Atlantic Giant Pumpkins
While you can eat these pumpkins and some people have told me they use them in soups and pies, I have never tried. If you cut one of these open, you’ll notice that it’s made of mainly water and is very bland in taste.
I would only grow an Atlantic Giant for fun. Just imagine the look on your friend’s and family’s faces when they see it in your backyard.
Casperita Pumpkin
Best for Resistance Against Powedery Mildew
Best for Growing when There Isn’t Much Time Before Frost
If you live somewhere with heat and humidity, you know that powdery mildew is a disaster that happens to everyone every year. It spreads through a squash bed from plant to plant quickly. It’s like overnight, you come back to a diseased garden fighting for its life.
Casperita pumpkins are a great pumpkin to grow because they are resistant to powdery mildew and watermelon mosaic virus.
Casperita Pumpkin Profile
Pure white skin
Grows 15 to 20 pumpkins per plant (very prolific)
Pumpkin sizes are extra small around 4 to 5 inches in diameter
Vines grow 6 to 8 feet long
Takes about 80 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Casperita Pumpkins
These tiny pumpkins are great for painting or as an ornamental arrangement on your fall table. You can group them with black kats and other pumpkins to make a perfect fall color palette.
Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
Best for Warty Pumpkin
These are some of the most unique pumpkins due to their warty texture and reddish-orange skin color. While valued for its decorative qualities, this pumpkin variety has a delicious flavor and fine texture. They’re a great pumpkin to cook with as well.
The Red Warty Thing is really more of a squash than a pumpkin and is actually a cross between two squashes. But it has defining characteristics that make it look like a pumpkin.
Red Warty Thing Pumpkin Profile
Orange skin color with a warty texture
Grows 1 to 2 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 15 to 18 inches in diameter and weigh around 18 to 20 pounds
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long
Takes about 110 days to mature from seed germination
Uses for Red Warty Thing Pumpkins
Many people like to place these around the house for decor. They are truly one of a kind with their texture and color.
But they’re also good for carving and eating.
Peanut Pumpkin
Best Ornamental for Fall Pumpkin
This pumpkin makes a stunning centerpiece for any fall table. Its unique look and color is unmatched by any other pumpkin. Not to mention it is also very sweet and flavorful making it a great choice for soups and pumpkin sauces.
Peanut Pumpkin Profile
Peach-colored skin with peanut-like warts formed by sugar crystalizing under the skin
Pumpkin sizes are around 3 to 5 inches in diameter and they weigh about 2 pounds
Vines grow 10 to 15 feet long
Takes about 100 days to mature from seed germination
Can store for up to 6 months
Uses for Peanut Pumpkins
While it makes a stunning table centerpiece and is most popular for its ornamental value, this pumpkin is also used to cook with. In France, it is commonly used for soups and sauces because of its very sweet and flavorful taste.
Cinderella Pumpkin
Most Popular Pumpkin
More people search, buy, and grow Cinderella pumpkins than any other pumpkin out there. It’s rumored that this pumpkin was the inspiration for Cinderella’s coach in the story. And it’s no surprise. The Cinderella pumpkin is a great addition to your table centerpiece and fall decor with its flattened deep ribs.
This pumpkin is also a great choice to grow if you live somewhere with lots of heat and humidity because it tends to tolerate that environment better than other pumpkins.
Cinderella Pumpkin Profile
Red-orange skin color
Grows 2 to 3 pumpkins per plant
Pumpkin sizes are around 12 to 24 inches across, about 6 inches tall, and they weigh about 15 to 20 pounds
It has a flattened shape with deep ribbing
Vines grow 10 to 12 feet long
Takes about 110 days to mature from seed germination
Tolerates heat and humidity well
Uses for Cinderella Pumpkins
This pumpkin is an all-time favorite for decorating because of its unique shape and size; however, it is also good for baking and canning. The Cinderella pumpkin is moderately sweet, making it a great choice in the kitchen.
Which is the Best Pumpkin for Halloween
While my favorite pumpkin for Halloween carving is the Howden pumpkin, my favorite for decorating is the Black Kat because of its spooky profile.
Here are some other great pumpkin types for Halloween:
Lumina Pumpkin
Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin
Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
Big Max Pumpkin
Howden Pumpkin
Black Kat Pumpkin
What Kind of Pumpkin is Not Edible
All types of pumpkins are edible, but some are less preferred because of their bland flavor, high water content, and stringy pulp.
Here are some pumpkins that are edible, but not ideal for cooking with:
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin
Howden Pumpkin
Which Pumpkin is the Sweetest
The sweetest pumpkins are sugar pie pumpkins and peanut pumpkins.
Here are some other types of pumpkins that also have a sweet profile:
Jarrahdale Pumpkin
Cinderella Pumpkin (moderately sweet)
Sugar Pie Pumpkin
Peanut Pumpkin
What is the Best Tasting Pumpkin
Both the Red Warty Thing Pumpkin and the Peanut Pumpkin are some of the best-tasting pumpkins. Both have a delicious flavor and fine texture, perfect for soups, appetizers, and sauces.
Some other pumpkin types that taste great are:
Sugar Pie Pumpkin (the standard for baking pies due to its sweet flavor)
Jarrahdale Pumpkin (nutty, sweet, and stringless)
Red Warty Thing Pumpkin
Peanut Pumpkin
What Pumpkin Makes the Best Pie
The Sugar Pie Pumpkin is the best pie pumpkin variety due to its sweet profile.
Other types of pumpkins that are great for pies include:
Big Max Pumpkin
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Sugar Pie Pumpkin
What is the Rarest Color Pumpkin
The rarest color pumpkins are the Jarrahdale and the Black Kat. The Jarrahdale pumpkin is a unique silvery bluish-grey to green color. And the Black Kat is (well you guessed it), black.
Types of Pumpkins Conclusion
There are over 150 different types of pumpkins. As you can see from my list, they come in all shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Depending on what you want to use your pumpkins for, you can select the best pumpkins to grow using this guide.
Pumpkins are an investment because they take months of care, but choosing the right pumpkin type and growing it yourself is well worth the wait.
This year we grew pumpkins to make jars of puree that I used in pies, cookies, muffins, and even oatmeal. We also grew some for carving with our kids, and some just sit around the house as part of the fall decor.
