10 Types of Pumpkins to Grow

Did you know there are many types of pumpkins? Pumpkins are a prominent feature during the fall season. Bright orange pumpkins adorn our porches, while their spicy flavor fills our tables with pies and other dishes. But not all pumpkins are round and orange. Different types of pumpkins come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Most people are only familiar with the bright orange type of pumpkin used for carving. There are all kinds of pumpkins to suit your needs, whether it be cooking, crafting or decorating. These are just ten of the many varieties of pumpkins.

This small pumpkin is usually half orange and half green, but some are only orange or green. This miniature pumpkin weighs approximately 1/2 to 1 pound. Batwing pumpkins are great for making crafts with kids and for decorating.

Blue Doll pumpkins weigh 15 to 20 pounds and are greenish-gray. This unusual pumpkin is ideal for eating in soups, pies and canning, as well as decoration.

The Full Moon pumpkin variety is giant and typically weighs 25 to 30 pounds. However, it can weigh as much as 90 pounds. People often use these giant pumpkins for decor, although they are edible.

Howden pumpkins are hardy, bright orange pumpkins that weigh between 20 to 30 pounds. Although they are edible, the Howden pumpkin’s primary use is in carving and decoration.

The Baby Boo pumpkin is as cute as its name sounds. These mini white pumpkins are perfect for decor and ornamental purposes.

Fairytale is a medium-sized pumpkin that weighs about 15 pounds. This is a good pumpkin for eating in soups and curry.

Cotton Candy pumpkins are medium size, weighing approximately 3 to 12 pounds. They are an unusual white to cream-colored pumpkin. Although the flesh of these pumpkins is edible, people usually use them for fall decoration.

Aladdin is a deep orange pumpkin variety that weighs between 30 to 50 pounds. These pumpkins are a good choice for carving.

Casper pumpkins are white-skinned with orange flesh inside. They are medium-sized pumpkins that weigh 10 to 16 pounds. Casper pumpkins are used more often as decoration than for eating.

Blue Moon pumpkins are medium size and usually weigh about 10 pounds. These unusual pumpkins have a somewhat flattened shape. As the name implies, Blue Moon pumpkins have a bluish outer skin, with yellowish-orange flesh inside. This kind of pumpkin is edible, but they are a favorite ornamental pumpkin as well.

Pumpkins with lumpy skin, that looks like it’s covered with warts, are growing in popularity. They’re a great decoration to celebrate the harvest season and add a ghoulish touch to a standard jack-o-lantern.

Although warty pumpkins are often bred specifically for their textured skin, warts can occur naturally as well. A pumpkin’s skin can develop warts because of a plant virus called “mosaic”. Warty pumpkin skin can also result from a condition called “edema”. Edema most commonly develops when growing conditions for a pumpkin are unusually wet and cool. The pumpkin absorbs a lot of water too quickly causing the skin cells on the surface to swell and burst. The damaged cells heal to form a scab that looks like a wart.

One warty pumpkin that is especially popular for cooking is called a “peanut pumpkin” (known as Galeux d’Eysines in French). The peanut pumpkin is an heirloom variety that originated in France over 200 years ago. Its skin has a pinkish-orange color that is patched with large brown blisters that resemble peanut shells.

The “peanuts” are areas where the sugar emerges from the skin of the pumpkin, a sign of the exceptionally high sugar content of peanut pumpkins. In general, all pumpkins with warts are edible and can be used in all the ways you might use a smooth pumpkin.

Once you have your pumpkins, will you decorate with them or use the pumpkins in a recipe? If you like using pumpkins on your front porch or doorstep, here are ideas for Decorating with Mums that include pumpkins.