There are so many different types of pumpkins which is why they are one of my most favorite things to grow. So here I’ll talk about all of their uses so you can best decide which variety to use or grow!
A pumpkin is a cultivar of a squash plant and is really just a winter squash. So you’ll hear pumpkin and winter squash used interchangeably.
It’s possible to think that a winter squash is a squash that is grown in the winter, but what it really means is that it can be stored to use in the winter.
Winter squash is typically planted in June or July when the soil is warm and then harvested in September or October when the fruit is fully mature and the skin has hardened. After harvest, it has a long shelf life and can be stored for later use.
So do you have any specific plans for your pumpkins?
There are so many shapes and sizes to choose from if you want them for decorations.
There are colored pumpkins that are perfect for your fall centerpieces.
Varieties that are best for cooking with.
And high yielding varieties that are great for growing.
So whatever your purpose is, there is a perfect pumpkin.
My favorite thing to do with pumpkins is to make succulent topped pumpkins.
I love succulents and so these are the perfect decoration or gift for the fall season. They also have a really long shelf life and once the pumpkin starts to rot you can plant the succulents, so it’s an added win!
Then once the pumpkin starts to rot you can cut it open and save the seeds and grow your own pumpkin patch!
Different Types of Pumpkins
Even with an immense amount of prior research, I cannot find an accurate number for exactly how many pumpkins there are out there!
But it is easily over a 100 different varieties! What I can tell you is, there is a type of pumpkin for every purpose.
- There is every sized pumpkin, from half a pound to a thousand pounds!
- There are colorful pumpkins.
- Textured pumpkins, smooth pumpkins, and ribbed pumpkins.
So whatever it is that you’re looking for, there is a perfect pumpkin for you.
Pumpkin Varieties
Below I’ll go over all the different kinds of pumpkins by color, shape, sizes, and most common uses.
Color:
Blue Pumpkins
Blue Doll – They have a unique blue color with a deep orange flesh that is great for pie, soup, or canning.
Jarrahdale – Is an excellent pumpkin for storing. It has a sweet flesh and its rind is a beautiful blue, making it great for decoration.
Blue Hokkaido – It has a gray-blue skin and a bright orange flesh. It’s beautiful and unique as well as delicious when cooked.
Red-Orange Pumpkins
Rouge Vif D’ Etampes – Also know as a Cinderella pumpkin, is a french heirloom with a beautiful red orange colored skin. It’s perfect for decoration, storing, and for eating.
Red Etampes – These pumpkins are flat with deep ridges and have a reddish orange skin.
Red Warty Thing – These have very hard thick rinds and are a deep orange with warty bumps over the skin.
White Pumpkins
Flat White Boer – Is a bright white pumpkin that is very flat. It’s great for pies , baking, and to set out for decoration.
Pumpkin Specter – This is an early maturing variety that can weigh up to 20 pounds. They are white with a lightly warty skin.
Polar Bear – They are extra large, round, white pumpkins that have good color retention once they are mature.
Size:
Mini Pumpkins
Jack Be Little – These are the perfect tiny and cute pumpkins. They only weigh about 8 ounces, are flat, ribbed, and have bright orange skin.
Spark – These are very uniform mini pumpkins with yellow and orange stripes.
Casperita – These are super cute 1/2 to 1 pound mini white pumpkins.
Giant Pumpkins
Giant Titan – These huge pumpkins can grow over 100 pounds. They also have a long shelf life up to one year.
Dill’s Atlantic Giant – Huge pink to orange colored pumpkins. The current world record is an Atlantic Giant that was over 2,000 pounds.
Big Max – These are huge, round pumpkins that can easily get to 100 plus pounds.
Shape:
Flat Pumpkins
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin – Is a flat, lightly ribbed pumpkin. It’s an excellent keeper and is popular for pies.
Flat Stacker – This is a uniform flat white hybrid pumpkin. This would be a great pumpkin to use to make a succulent topped pumpkin.
White Flat Boer Ford – It is a true white pumpkin that grows about 3-5 inches high and 8-12 inches wide.
Unique Pumpkins:
Porcelain Doll – These pumpkins have a beautiful pink coloration. They have a blocky shape and are truly unique.
Marina Di Chioggia – This is really unique bumpy pumpkin that is a dark blue/gray color. It’s beautiful for a decoration and great for pasta making.
Fairytale – These have a really unique color, are flatter shaped, and have deep ridges. They are also suitable for cooking with.
Best Tasting Pumpkins for Pie:
Dickinson – The is one of the most valuable heirlooms in history for pumpkin pie. It has an excellent quality sweet flesh and will store for 5 months or longer.
Winter Luxury Pie – It’s a smaller 6-lb. pumpkin with very sweet and smooth flesh. It’s known for being one of the best varieties for pies.
New England Sugar Pie – They are a 4-5 lb. fruit with fine, sweet flesh that is excellent for pies.
Best Carving Pumpkins:
Howden – This is an old time favorite pumpkin variety. They are bright orange and are great for carving.
Connecticut Field – This is an heirloom variety and is one of the oldest pumpkins around. It’s very popular for decorations and jack o’ lanterns.
Jack O’ Lantern – These are a great choice for carving, as its name may suggest! They are also great for eating.
Best Painting Pumpkins:
Snowball – These pumpkins are fairly small with bright white skin. They have a really smooth finish which makes them perfect for painting.
Orange Smoothie – This is a medium to small orange pumpkin. It has smooth non ribbed skin which makes it great to paint on.
Moonshine – This is a very uniform smooth-skinned, white pumpkin. It’s great for decoration, carving, or painting.
So no matter what you are wanting your pumpkins for, I hope you can now easily pick your perfect pumpkin. There are so many different types of pumpkins to choose from, so get creative and have fun!
Related Articles:
How to Grow Pumpkins Successfully
How to Make a Succulent Topped Pumpkin
Saving Pumpkin Seeds for Growing
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