Most people think of pumpkins as either carving material or pie filling, but there's so much more variety available when you grow your own. The standard orange pumpkins at the store are bred for shipping and shelf life, not for interesting shapes, unusual colors, or superior flavor.
Growing pumpkins from seed gives you access to varieties that would never make it to a grocery store display. You can use them in your festive fall displays, carve them up for the holidays, or just eat them. No matter which you choose, it’ll be far more enjoyable (and rewarding) to grow your own fun and festive pumpkin varieties.
Here are some of the most interesting pumpkin varieties to try in your garden.
Jack Be Little
These miniature pumpkins are perfect when you need tiny decorations for your porch or around your home. At just a few inches across, they're ideal for table displays or wreaths. Or you can just pop them as is around your home for a touch of fall.
The name says it all: these really look like little jack-o'-lanterns. The deep orange color and classic pumpkin shape make them look like perfect miniatures of their full-sized cousins. Kids love them too because they're perfectly sized for small hands.
Each vine produces 8-12 pumpkins, so you'll have plenty for decorating. They keep well too, often lasting several months if stored in a cool, dry place.
Black Kat
If you want something dramatically different from orange pumpkins, Black Kat is one of the best pumpkin varieties you can choose. As the name suggests, these have a deep, dark green skin that's almost black. The color is so unusual that people often ask if they're real pumpkins.
These medium-sized pumpkins have a flattened, ribbed shape that's perfect for fall displays. The dark color creates a striking contrast with traditional orange varieties or autumn leaves. Inside, the flesh is bright orange and makes excellent pies or soups. The novelty is in the exterior color, but the eating quality matches any good pie pumpkin.
Cinderella
Also called Rouge vif d'Etampes, this French heirloom looks exactly like the pumpkin from the fairy tale. The flattened, deeply ribbed shape and bright orange-red color make it instantly recognizable.
These pumpkins have a distinctive cheese-wheel appearance that’s great for décor. The deep ribs create dramatic shadows that make them particularly photogenic if you’re looking to share your creative displays online.
On top of all that, the flavor is excellent for cooking. The flesh is sweet and smooth-textured. I particularly like them for soups where the color adds visual appeal along with great taste.
Jarrahdale
This Australian variety has blue-gray skin that looks almost weathered. The color is so unique that Jarrahdale pumpkin varieties often get mistaken for some kind of decorative gourd rather than actual pumpkins.
The size varies on the vine depending on conditions, with a flattened, deeply ribbed shape similar to Cinderella types. The unusual coloring makes them perfect for neutral fall displays where orange might be too bold.
Despite the unusual exterior, the flesh is bright orange and has excellent flavor for both fresh eating and storage. They keep exceptionally well, often lasting through winter with proper storage.
Casperita
Pure white pumpkins always draw attention, and Casperita is one of the most reliable white pumpkin varieties for home gardens. The smooth, cream-white skin creates an elegant look that works with any color scheme.
These medium-sized pumpkins have a classic jack-o'-lantern shape. The white color makes them perfect for carving, since candles show up beautifully through the pale skin.
White pumpkins have become increasingly popular for upscale fall decorating, where orange doesn't quite fit the color palette. Casperita gives you that trendy white look with reliable garden performance.
Galeux d'Eysines
This French heirloom is probably the most unusual pumpkin you can grow. The salmon-pink skin develops distinctive raised bumps and wartiness as it matures, creating a texture unlike any other pumpkin.
The bumpy, warted appearance might look strange, but it's completely normal for this variety. The more mature the pumpkin, the more pronounced the warting becomes. Inside, the flesh is deep orange and incredibly flavorful. The unusual appearance makes them conversation starters, but the flavor makes them keepers.
Jack O'Lantern
Sometimes you just want a classic carving pumpkin, and this variety delivers exactly that. These are the traditional jack-o'-lantern pumpkins that most people picture when they think of Halloween.
Weighing under 20 pounds, they're large enough for impressive carved faces but not so big that they're difficult to handle. The flesh isn't particularly thick, which makes carving easier but also means they're not the best choice for eating.
The bright orange color and round shape are exactly what kids expect jack-o'-lanterns to look like. If you're growing pumpkins specifically for carving, this variety won't disappoint.
Red Warty Thing
The name might not be elegant, but it perfectly describes this distinctive pumpkin variety. The deep red-orange skin is covered with pronounced warts and bumps that create an almost alien appearance.
The warty texture makes them impossible to ignore in fall displays. But don't let the unusual appearance fool you. The flesh is excellent for cooking, with a smooth texture that works well for pies. The bumpy exterior hides serious culinary value, making these pumpkin varieties both fun and festive.
Howden
This is the commercial standard for jack-o'-lantern pumpkins, bred specifically for carving. The uniform shape, strong stems, and consistent size make them reliable choices for traditional festive use.
Slightly larger than classic Jack O’Lantern pumpkins, they're substantial enough for impressive carved displays but still manageable enough for most people to carve comfortably. The thick walls carve cleanly, and the interior hollows out easily.
While they're designed primarily for carving rather than eating, the flesh is perfectly edible. It's just not as flavorful as varieties bred specifically for culinary use.
Big Max
When you want to grow something impressive, Big Max is one of the best pumpkin varieties to try. These are serious showstoppers that dominate any fall display.
The key to growing large pumpkins (like growing any giant vegetables) is limiting the number of fruits per vine. Allow just one or two pumpkins per plant and provide plenty of water and nutrients throughout the growing season. This directs all the plant’s efforts into growing the biggest pumpkins possible.
Even smaller Big Max pumpkins typically weigh over 30 pounds, making them substantial enough to impress. The bright orange color and classic pumpkin shape maintain the traditional look even at giant sizes.
Atlantic Giant
This is one of the best pumpkin varieties for competitive growing, capable of producing pumpkins hundreds of pounds in size with proper care. Most home gardeners won't achieve record sizes (or at least, they won’t want to if fun and festive is the focus), but even "small" Atlantic Giants are impressively large.
Growing giant pumpkins requires serious commitment. That includes consistent watering, heavy feeding, and careful vine management throughout the season. You'll also need space since the vines can spread over 15 feet in all directions.
Even if you don't aim for record size, Atlantic Giant pumpkins make amazing conversation pieces and photo opportunities during the festive season.