Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds

Solanum aethiopicum

A real conversation piece in the garden and in floral arrangements. Few people will guess what type of plant it is, but everyone loves the cute, little pumpkin-shaped fruits of this 1800s ornamental eggplant. Often added to fresh or dried florist arrangements. Also called 'Red China' or 'Scarlet Chinese' eggplant, the bitter fruits are used in Asian cooking.

$3.59 $4.49 ~25 seeds
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
32

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Features

Family

Family

Solanaceae
Native

Native

Africa
Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Annual
Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")
Flower Color

Flower Color

Orange
Bloom Season

Bloom Season

Summer

Further Information

Plant Characteristics

Plant Characteristics

Cut Flower
Growing Conditions

Growing Conditions

Frost Sensitive

About Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds

Solanum aethiopicum

Purple star-shaped flowers followed by 2"–3" green fruits that ripen to an orange-red.

Planting Pumpkin

Days to Maturity

Days to Maturity

65–70 days after transplanting
Plant Spacing

Plant Spacing

Start indoors; plant 24"–36" apart outside.
Light Required

Light Required

Full Sun
Plant Height

Plant Height

Tall (Greater than 24")
Planting Depth

Planting Depth

¼"

Planting Details

Seed Depth ¼"
Seed Spacing Start indoors; plant 24"–36" apart outside.
Thinning Not required.
Germination 10–20 days
Start Indoors RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 80°–90°F. Transplant outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Direct Sow 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.

Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone

4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Based on 32 reviews
Slide 1 selected
Rating
Ratings
Which best describes you as a gardener?
Which best describes you as a gardener?
32 reviews
  • Tracy
    Verified Reviewer
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    8/22/26
    Medium size short bushes

    They are growing great with hundred of “pumpkins”, but the plants are short and bushy, NOT tall like they’re supposed to be. ??? Thanks!

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    9/2/26

    Hey Tracy,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Jenny P.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    8/11/26
    Germinated great but no pollination?

    All the seeds I planted in mid-May germinated and the plants are growing well! But I haven't seen any fruits so I don't think the flowers are getting pollinated. The flowers are so small I'm not sure I can hand-pollinate. Any advise would be appreciated!

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    8/17/26

    Hey Jenny,
    Typically, this plant is self-pollinating. All flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning they contain all parts necessary to produce both pollen and fruit -- and a flower will readily accept its own pollen to form fruit.
    Having said that, most self-pollinating varieties have a maximum heat tolerance and will struggle to become pollinated above a certain range. For this species, that cap is 95 degrees during daytime weather or 70 degrees overnight weather. If it is sustained heat above that temperature range, pollination failure happens.
    There are multiple forms of pollination failure:
    High heat can cause the plant to initiate a hormone that causes flower abortion to reduce plant stress (it's easier on the plant not to be producing fruit during excessive heat),
    High heat also reduces the viability of the pollen grains, dropping the success of pollination significantly,
    High heat combined with high humidity causes clumping of the pollen grains, also preventing successful pollen-drop to the female fruiting parts of the flower and preventing fertilization.
    You can improve pollination by tapping the stem where flowers are forming. This can cause the flower to drop pollen onto its own female parts, stimulating fertilization.
    However, clumpy pollen or high heat may still prohibit pollination from being successful. If the weather's particularly hot and sticky, you may want to provide shade cloth to drop the ambient temperature, and potentially prune excess foliage to improve air circulation around the plant and reduce the likelihood of pollen clumping inside the flower. Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Jenna L.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    7/21/26
    Planted with niece and nephew

    We planted these in late June. My niece and nephew-(4 and 7) are loving their little garden. Will post pictures in the fall !

    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    7/21/26

    Hey Jenna,

    We're so happy to hear about your incredible experience with the Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds! It's awesome that you're sharing the gardening adventure with your niece and nephew - there's nothing better than getting kids excited about growing their own plants, especially something as unique and fun as pumpkin on a stick! And we totally get how perfect these are for little gardeners - they're going to be absolutely amazed when those cute mini orange "pumpkins" start showing up! We're so excited for those fall pictures and can't wait to see how thrilled the kids are with their harvest! Thanks for sharing your pumpkin on a stick growing success and for creating such wonderful gardening memories with the little ones! Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Debra S.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    7/16/26
    Not as I hoped

    I'm a little disappointed. After planting the seeds in the late spring only two plants appeared and they are very slow to grow. I hope they will take off and yield the ornamental fruit before fall. They are supposed to grow into tall vines but are very small plants thus far. Time will tell.

    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    7/17/26

    Hey Debra,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️

  • Kiara B.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5/8/26
    Germination Rate was slower

    I only got a few starts out of the packet, but it was more than enough for my space!

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
    BI Profile picture for Botanical Interests
    Botanical Interests
    5/8/26

    Hey Kiara,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds! I really appreciate your honest feedback about the germination rate - this kind of real-world insight is super helpful for us and other gardeners.

    It's great to hear that even though germination was slower than expected, you still got more than enough plants for your space! Thank you for sharing your growing experience and for that awesome 5-star rating! Keep on growing 🌻️

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