Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Cucurbitaceae, Gourd family, includes watermelon, gourds, melons, pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash.
Native
Southern United States and Mexico
Life Cycle
Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Height
Vine
Further Information
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
Plant Resistance
Powdery Mildew Resistant
About Pumpkin
Cucurbita pepo (hybrid)
3 ½" –4 ½" diameter fruits weighing 1–2 pounds. Deep green, almost black skin with an orange interior.
Planting Pumpkin
Plant Spacing
2 – 3 seeds per mound
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Vine
Planting Depth
1"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | 1" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | 2 – 3 seeds per mound |
| Thinning | When several leaves, thin to 1 ‒ 2 per mound |
| Germination | 7 – 14 days |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground. Transplant after your average last frost date, when weather is warm and settled. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°‒90°F. |
| Special Care | "Black weed barrier fabric or sheeting helps to warm the soil, keep down weeds, and retain moisture. Lay a sheet of the barrier fabric or sheeting over the soil in your planting area. Cut 4""–6"" diameter holes in it, 4'–5' apart, and sow the seeds within the cut holes. The best way to irrigate when using this fabric or sheeting is with a soaker hose or drip irrigation underneath. Remove the fabric or sheeting at the end of the growing season. Pumpkins are monoecious (having both pollen-producing flowers, and flowers that are able to produce fruit only when pollinated). Pollen-producing flowers appear earlier in the season, in theory, to attract bees to the area. Sowing pollinator-attracting plants near pumpkins can assist in proper pollination, resulting in a bigger harvest and well-shaped fruit. Floating row covers are highly recommended for pumpkin plants during the early days of their lives to protect the young plants from squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Hand-pick and destroy any squash bugs or cucumber beetles. Remove covers when plants begin flowering. Another method to avoid vine borers is to cover the base of the stems near the ground with mulch, foil, or fabric material, as the base of the stem is where insect eggs are laid. Pumpkin plants are also susceptible to fungal disease, so make sure plants have ample space for air circulation. To form a flat bottom on your pumpkin, gently set it upright if it emerges growing on its side. Keep pumpkin patch well-weeded." |
| Growing & Harvesting | Harvest pumpkins before the first fall frost, and when foliage has begun to dry out. Cut stem with a knife, leaving 2" of stem on the pumpkin. Do not hold the pumpkin by the stem; if stem attachment gets broken, or any part of the pumpkin bruises, the pumpkin may rot. Brush off any dirt or leaves. Ideally, cure at 80°–85°F and 80‒85% humidity or a warm, sunny spot with good air circulation for 1 to 2 weeks before eating or storage. Do not allow harvested fruit to get wet. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 28 Total 4 star reviews: 2 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
32 reviews
- Ben &. J. M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/22/26Black Kat Pumpkin Seeds
I planted this last year and they did great and I had a big crop to share. Because we live in northern Montana, we can't plant yet since we are still too cold and have had snow. I am sure this year won't disappoint since last year was a success.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests5/3/26Hey Ben,
We love to hear your Black Kat Pumpkin Seeds gave you such a fantastic crop last year and that you had enough to share! That's exactly what we love to hear from our growers! We totally understand the waiting game up there in northern Montana - Mother Nature definitely calls the shots on planting time in your area! our confidence in this year's success based on last year's results really makes our day! Keep on growing 🌻️
- HeleneVerified ReviewerRated 4 out of 5 stars1/30/26Pumpkins
I received a seed order in the Spring that was intended to go to someone else. When I called Botanical Interests they said to keep the seed or donated them. They were mostly seeds that I would not have chosen for myself, but thought it would be a good opportunity to try some new things. In the order were three pumpkin varieties including Black Kat. I only grew one plant, but ended up with two nice little pumpkins. They were very cute! I’m giving them a 4 rather than a 5 rating only because I didn’t like the flavor when roasted. Also in the seed order was a pack of Lumina and Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin seeds, both of which grew and produced well. I have not roasted the Jack-o-lantern pumpkins yet, but the Lumina had fantastic flavor! Unfortunately Lumina is no longer on the BI website.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests1/31/26Hey Helene,
Thank you so much for this thoughtful 4-star review and for sharing your unexpected pumpkin growing adventure! What a fun surprise that a misdirected seed order turned into such a great opportunity to try new varieties you might not have chosen otherwise.
It's fantastic to hear that your single Black Kat plant produced two nice little pumpkins! These smaller ornamental pumpkins are definitely grown more for their adorable looks and deep black color rather than their culinary qualities, so your experience with the roasted flavor makes total sense. They're really designed to be those perfect decorative "cute" pumpkins you mentioned!
We love that you gave all three pumpkin varieties a try and had such success with your growing! It sounds like you discovered some great comparisons between the different types - the Black Kats for decoration, and finding that the Lumina had that fantastic roasted flavor you were looking for.
Your willingness to experiment with varieties outside your usual choices led to some really valuable growing insights that other gardeners will definitely appreciate!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- OmarRated 5 out of 5 stars10/14/255 Stars
I also liked how safe it was packed
- Colleen Z.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars10/8/25Black Kat pumpkin 🎃
I’m really enjoying how the black Kat pumpkin is coming in! Ive timed it perfectly to be ready to harvest right around Halloween
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests10/10/25Hey Colleen,
Thank you so much for this fantastic 5-star review! "Timed it perfectly" for Halloween harvest is exactly what we love to hear about Black Kat Pumpkin Seeds - there's something so magical about having your own homegrown jack-o'-lanterns ready right when you need them most!
We absolutely love that you're enjoying watching these special pumpkins develop! There's something so exciting about that anticipation as Black Kat pumpkins grow and mature, knowing you're going to have those gorgeous dark beauties ready for the perfect Halloween display. The fact that your timing worked out so perfectly just shows what great planning and growing instincts you have!
Your success with getting the harvest timing just right is exactly the kind of seasonal gardening satisfaction that makes Black Kat Pumpkins such Halloween superstars. When you can coordinate your growing season to have fresh, homegrown pumpkins ready right when October 31st rolls around - that's pure gardening magic right there!
Your experience will be so inspiring for other gardeners who want to plan their own perfectly-timed Halloween pumpkin harvests and discover just how rewarding it is to grow these distinctive Black Kat beauties for their spooky season celebrations!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- Ed M.IL, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/19/25Quick as a cat
Planted July 12. Sprouted in 10 days. Have one nice pumpkin getting darker everyday. Awesome
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? FamiliesHow do you prefer to grow? In GroundBIBotanical Interests9/22/25Hey Ed M.,
What a fantastic review! We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your Black Kat Pumpkin Seeds lived up to their name and were "quick as a cat" with that speedy 10-day germination!
Your timing sounds perfect - planting on July 12th really gave these pumpkins the ideal growing season to show off what they can do. That quick sprouting is always such an exciting sign that your seeds are vigorous and healthy, and it sounds like they've been delivering on that promise ever since!
We love that you're watching that pumpkin get darker every day - there's something so satisfying about seeing those deep, rich colors develop as Black Kat pumpkins mature! It's like watching nature's own daily transformation right in your garden. The anticipation builds as that dark, almost black color intensifies, and you know you're going to have one stunning pumpkin to show off.
Black Kat pumpkins are such showstoppers when they reach full maturity - that dramatic dark color makes them real standouts whether you're using them for fall decorating or just enjoying the satisfaction of growing something so unique and eye-catching.
Your experience really highlights why these pumpkins are such a rewarding variety to grow - reliable germination, steady growth, and that exciting daily progress you can actually see happening!
Thank you so much for sharing such an enthusiastic review about your growing success!
Keep on growing 🌻️