It can be a thrilling activity to plant pumpkins, whether it be with children for carving Halloween jack-o-lanterns or for the purpose of growing your own food. The gratification of growing pumpkins oneself is truly fulfilling.
The hard part is choosing which type to plant and grow. That’s why we put together this list of the 21 most popular and easy-to-grow pumpkin varieties!
Read on below and discover the perfect type for your pumpkin patch.
1. Jack-o’-Lantern
The Jack-o’-Lantern is a variety of pumpkins that are specially bred for carving. These are the famous orange pumpkins used for Halloween. However, they are not only also edible but are especially good for pies due to the sweet taste of their flesh.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: bright orange
- Skin texture: slightly ripped
- Size: small
- Best used for: decoration
- Days until harvest: 100 to 120 days
2. Sugar Pie
The Sugar Pie species is also known as the sweet pumpkin. They are not only used for sweet dishes as Sugar Pie pumpkins can be used in savory dishes as well.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: orange
- Skin texture: smooth, slightly ribbed
- Size: small – medium
- Best used for: cooking
- Days until harvest: 105 to 115 days
3. Connecticut Field
This prestigious variety is the original pumpkins used for carving on Halloween. But it’s also excellent for cooking and used in pies as well. It’s native to Mexico, but it’s been growing in gardens throughout the United States since the 1700s.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: deep orange
- Skin texture: smooth and ribbed
- Size: medium
- Best used for: decoration
- Days until harvest: approximately 110 days
4. Hijinks
Despite being edible, the Hijinks pumpkin is grown more for decoration than cooking. When choosing what type of pumpkin to grow, it’s important to know these varieties have notable resistance to powdery mildew.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: deep orange
- Skin texture: uniform, slightly ribbed
- Size: small – medium
- Best used for: decoration
- Days until harvest: approximately 85 days
5. Cinderella
The Cinderella variety of pumpkins is believed to have originated in France and was introduced to America in 1883. They are edible and are rich in vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, and iron.
- Type: Cucurbita maxima
- Skin color: bright red-orange
- Skin texture: deeply ribbed
- Size: medium – large
- Best used for: cooking
- Days until harvest: 100 to 120 days
6. New Moon
The New Moon pumpkin is a hybrid type, jack-o’-lantern variety that produces big white pumpkins. Although the main use of these pumpkins is decoration, they are edible and like many other varieties, are rich in Vitamin A and fiber.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: white
- Skin texture: smooth, the ribbing is minimal
- Size: medium – large
- Best used for: decoration
- Days until harvest: 90 to 110 days
7. Atlantic Giant
The Atlantic Giant pumpkin holds the world’s record for size. They generally grow on their side because of their size. Like any other pumpkin, these are edible too, but the taste is less desirable. They taste more like squashes than pumpkins.
- Type: Cucurbita maxima
- Skin color: pale orange
- Skin texture: slightly ribbed
- Size: Giant
- Best used for: Cooking
- Days until harvest: approximately 125 days
8. Long Island Cheese
Although their names come from the resemblance to a wheel of cheese, they are normally called Cinderella pumpkins. As with most of the winter-type pumpkins, the most difficult thing is to peel them.
- Type: Cucurbita moschata
- Skin color: light orange
- Skin texture: smooth skin
- Size: medium – large
- Best used for: cooking
- Days until harvest: 90 to 100 days
9. Fairytale
The Fairytale variety is a French heirloom pumpkin cultivar. The fairytale name comes from the gorgeous shape they have. These particular kinds of pumpkins are some of the few that can be eaten raw.
When cooked, Fairytale pumpkins have a rich, buttery, sweet flavor with a smooth, dense texture.
- Type: Cucurbita moschata
- Skin color: orange-brown
- Skin texture: deep ribbed
- Size: medium – large
- Best used for: cooking and autumn decor
- Days until harvest: approximately 100 days
10. Casper
Of all the white pumpkins, the Casper type is less bluish than the others. As it’s minimally ribbed, it’s used for carving and painting. The flesh is thick orange, especially good for cooking.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: white
- Skin texture: the skin is smooth with a corky texture
- Size: smail – medium
- Best used for: cooking and decoration
- Days until harvest: 90 to 105 days
11. Munchkin
The Munchkin variety of pumpkin is used for dried arrangement, which is a novelty. When growing them, it’s important to know this variety is more susceptible to Mosaic viruses.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: bright orange
- Skin texture: deeply ribbed
- Size: small
- Best used for: cooking and decoration
- Days until harvest: approximately 70 days
12. Musquee de Provence
The flesh of the Musquee de Provence pumpkin is sweet with a light crunch. It’s one of the only pumpkins that is eaten raw. In Provence, they are sold fresh and sliced like a wedge of cheese. They are well suited for pies.
- Type: Cucurbita moschata
- Skin color: dark orange
- Skin texture: deeply ribbed with a smooth hard surface
- Size: large
- Best used for: cooking
- Days until harvest: approximately 120 days
13. Harvest Moon
The Harvest Moon type of pumpkin is another super popular variety with those who like classic orange Halloweenish-looking pumpkins. They bloom and mature earlier than most pumpkins as well, making them even more ideal for early pumpkin pie and seasonal decorations alike.
- Type:
- Skin color: bright orange
- Skin texture: smooth with clear/deep ridges
- Size: medium to large
- Best used for: cooking and decorations
- Days until harvest:
14. Jarrahdale
The Jarrahdale variety of pumpkin is thought to be a cross between the Blue Hubbard Squash and the Cinderella pumpkin. It’s known for its particular sweet taste.
- Type: cucurbita maxima. Heirloom pumpkin cultivar
- Skin color: Blue-gray
- Skin texture: They have deeply grooved ribs
- Size: medium – large
- Best used for: cooking, decorating and long-term storage
- Days until harvest: 18 to 20 weeks
15. Baby Boo
These miniature pumpkins are not bigger than a tennis ball; hence they are lovingly known as Baby Boo pumpkins. They were developed in 1990 by John Jaunsem of West Milton, Pennsylvania.
- Type: Cucurbita Pepo
- Skin color: white
- Skin texture: slightly ribbed
- Size: miniature pumpkins
- Best used for: cooking and table decorations for Christmas and weddings.
- Days until harvest: approximately 95 days
16. Blue Lakota
Many of the most famous types of blue pumpkins were created in Australia, potentially including the Blue Lakota. They grow in long vines that can measure up to 9 meters in length.
- Type: cucurbita maxima
- Skin color: blue-green
- Skin texture: the rind is smooth with deep ribs
- Size: medium to large
- Best used for: mostly used for cooking. It can be used in both sweet and savory preparations.
- Days until harvest: 80 to 100 days
17. Autumn Gold
The Autumn Gold variety of pumpkins turns golden-orange even when immature. Further, they can be harvested early, making them an excellent choice for northern locations.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: deep golden orange
- Skin texture: smooth and slightly ribbed
- Size: medium to large
- Best used for: Cooking, especially pies. Also the perfect choice for Halloween carving.
- Days until harvest: approximately 90 days
18. Lumina
The Lumina variety of pumpkin is another pure white pumpkin variety. They are perfect for Halloween decorations and craft projects. Even more, the pumpkins are available in the fall and early winter. When the foliage has started to dry out, it’s a good time to harvest these pumpkins.
- Type: Cucurbita maxima
- Skin color: White
- Skin texture: Smooth globe shape
- Size: medium
- Best used for: it’s edible, but it’s also used for carving and decoration
- Days until harvest: 90 to 95 days
19. Winter Luxury
Introduced by Johnson and Stokes in 1893, the Winter Luxury pumpkin has a unique netted skin. With smooth flesh and sweet innards, they are one of the very best options for pumpkin pies.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: orange
- Skin texture: white netting
- Size: small – medium
- Best used for: cooking
- Days until harvest: approximately 105 days
20. Crown Prince
The Crown Prince variety of pumpkins has an antioxidant called beta-carotene, which can be converted into Vitamin A within the body. These also contain fiber, which helps regulate digestion
- Type: cucurbita maxima
- Skin color: from silver to blue-gray
- Skin texture: smooth shallow ribbing
- Size: medium to large
- Best used for: best suited for cooking
- Days until harvest: approximately 95 days
21. Knucklehead
The Knucklehead pumpkin variety started gaining popularity in the early 2000s. These types of pumpkins have beta-carotene, magnesium, Vitamin A, and potassium.
- Type: Cucurbita pepo
- Skin color: deep orange
- Skin texture: covert in warts, scabs, and bumps
- Size: small to medium
- Best used for: cooking, although people use them for carving sometimes, attracted by the odd-looking skin
- Days until harvest: approximately 105 days
Conclusion
Pumpkins are not only fairly easy to grow and loaded with nutrients, but each variety has its own unique shape, size, and color, which makes them indispensable as festive decorations and in any diet.
Hopefully, with the 21 pump varieties listed above, you found the perfect pumpkin for your recipe or decoration needs!