Types of Pumpkins

There's more to pumpkins than what meets the eye. Pumpkins come in a variety of shapes, colors, sizes, and textures and serve a multitude of different purposes. Find your perfect pumpkin by using our helpful guide to different varieties of pumpkins. Happy pumpkin picking!

See how to make your pumpkins last longer.

Best for: Sweet pumpkin pies. The high sugar content of this variety satisfies any sweet tooth.

A medium-size variety, 'New England Cheddar' gets its name from its appearance: The pumpkin closely resembles a cheese wheel. Despite the "cheesiness" of this heirloom pumpkin, the fruit can be used (and taste delicious) in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe.

Try this classic pumpkin pie recipe.

Best for: Soups. The sweet and creamy flesh is perfect for blending. 

'Porcelain Doll' appears as a unique pink color with deep ribs. These fairly disease-resistant plants ward off mildew attacks and look beautiful on a front porch. This is another pumpkin variety whose flesh (or inside of the pumpkin) is good for pies, canning, and more.

Try 'Porcelain Doll' in one of our favorite pumpkin recipes.

Best for: Painting. Yes, this 6" pumpkin is a great size (and flavor) for pies. But, its small stature makes it ideal for crafting and painting with kiddos.

'Hybrid Pam' is the perfect pie-size pumpkin. Reaching 7 pounds on average, this breed only takes 90 days to mature. When planted from seed, this pumpkin variety also has a high yield, so you'll never see a shortage of 'Hybrid Pam' at the pumpkin farm.

See our guide to perfectly painted pumpkins.

Best for: Jack-'o-lanterns. Their white color feels ghostly!

'Crystal Star' is different from other white pumpkins in the sense that as the pumpkins age, they don't turn blue and green. They keep their spooky white appearance. These beauties are great for carving and decorating and are often used in county fairs and exhibitions.

Best for: Roasting. Don't be fooled by the green skin—this pumpkin has a bright orange interior that can easily be chopped, cooked, and served in salads and pasta dishes.

The 'Blue Doll' variety puts an end to the stereotype that all pumpkins are orange or white. Although this 20-pound fruit has a green exterior, the flesh is orange and exceptionally sweet, so use this type in your favorite pumpkin recipes.

See more about pumpkins in our Plant Encyclopedia.

Best for: Home decor. Stick these pint-sized fruits in fall container gardens or place them in empty spaces around the house.

'Casperita' is a pint-size white pumpkin variety that tastes similar to an acorn squash. These pumpkins are disease resistant and perfect for decorating your interior. Their seeds also produce high yields, so you'll never have to worry about not finding enough 'Casperita' in the fall.

Get fall window box inspiration.

Best for: Home decor. Couple 'Orangita' with 'Casperita' for contrast.

'Orangita' is a beautifully deep orange mini pumpkin with sharp ribs on its rind. This variety only grows to 1-1/2 pounds, so it's a favorite with children. Pair 'Orangita' with bigger squash varieties, container gardens, and hay bales for a stunning porch display.

Best for: Succulent pies. This thick-fleshed pumpkin has a small seed cavity, so a seed-free pumpkin pie is in sight.

'Flat White Boer Ford' appears exactly as its name indicates—flat and white. These pumpkins grow wider than tall and are perfect for adding a diverse look to a porch when paired with other pumpkin varieties. 'Flat White Boer Ford' also keeps well so should last through the season.

Best for: Savory dishes. Craving fall sweetness in your favorite entree? 'Cinderella' will do the trick.

This voluptuous pumpkin gets its name after the carriage of the fairy-tale princess. This French heirloom has a flat appearance and is a scarlet orange. Add the insides of this pumpkin to savory dishes for a sweet fall-flavor kick.

Best for: The scariest jack-'o-lanterns EVER.

Nope, there's nothing wrong with this pumpkin. 'Knucklehead' gets its name from its naturally warty skin. The fruit is orange, but warts present as green. This pumpkin ranges from 10-20 pounds once ripe and is great for carving spooky jack-'o-lanterns.