15 Weird Pumpkin Varieties That Will Transform Your Fall

While the classic orange pumpkin may be a staple for fall decorations and pies, there's a plethora of unique and unusual pumpkin varieties waiting to be explored.

From peculiar shapes to striking colors, these 15 strange pumpkin varieties will surely intrigue any gardening enthusiast.

1. Warty Goblin Pumpkin

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This pumpkin gets its unique name because of all those ‘warts’ textures that give it a slightly sinister look.

But underneath the layers of warts, the skin manages to retain its bright orange color and luster.

Get your Warty Goblin pumpkin seeds on Amazon.

Once the pumpkins grow to full size, they can weigh anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds each. As a bonus, these pumpkins naturally resist powdery mildew and are fairly resistant to diseases.

The pumpkin, while edible, is not ideal for consumption and is best used as a decorative piece.

2. Cotton Candy Pumpkin

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White pumpkins are known for their unique appearance and easily stand out from other varieties in this class.

Each cotton candy seed produces a whole fruit that stays true to the classic pumpkin shape.

This pumpkin has a thick shell that is durable enough to sustain its own weight.

White pumpkins can be fairly bulky and range anywhere between a low 5 pounds to a whopping 12 pounds.

When cracked open to reveal the juicy insides, you will find that the flesh is also white.

Word of advice: make sure you put them out of the sun if you care about the color.

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3. Italian Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin

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These pumpkins have an aged, rustic skin with an unusual appearance, blending both yellow and orange shades.

One notable quality of this pumpkin is its high vitamin A content, which is beneficial for eye and skin health.

The pumpkin is named after its place of origin, the town of Chioggia in Italy.

These hefty pumpkins can weigh anywhere from 5 to 12 kg.

When opened, pumpkins offer a pleasantly dry, sweet flavor that can be savored on their own or incorporated into various dishes.

Check out this Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin seeds on Amazon.

Read more: 11 Stunning Heirloom Pumpkins You Won’t Believe Are Real

4. Jack Be Little Pumpkin

These cute orange-colored pumpkins can actually fit in the palm of your hand!

But just because they happen to be incredibly small-sized doesn’t mean they are any easier to grow.

The pumpkins mature in 90 to 100 days. To create the ideal growth conditions, maintain the soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5.

Come harvesting season, make sure you don’t break the step. Simply cut away at the step with a sharp knife.

The most common predators for this pumpkin are squash vine borers and squash bugs, which can cause an infestation. So make sure to store plenty of pepper and garlic sprays!

Check out this Jack Be Little Pumpkin Seed on Amazon.

5. White Boer Ford Pumpkin

These beautiful pumpkins take about 105 days to fully mature, but the end result is definitely worth the extra hassle.

When fully mature, these eclectic pumpkins have a flat, pure white appearance that is both unique to look at and extremely tasty.

This rare white pumpkin can grow to the size of at least 30 pounds.

Provided you maintain a healthy soil composition, this pumpkin species will grow vigorously and have tremendous yield potential.

Check out this white flat Boer Ford pumpkin seeds on Amazon.

6. Turk's Turban Pumpkin

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The Turk's Turban Pumpkin, native to Turkey, stands out with its distinctive ribbed surface and diverse color palette that can range from muted greens and grays to rich oranges.

Deeply rooted in Turkish agricultural history, this heirloom variety not only offers a pleasing aesthetic for gardeners but also boasts a rich, nutty flavor that complements both savory and sweet dishes.

Often used in traditional Turkish recipes, its dense and succulent flesh makes it a favored ingredient for soups, roasts, and desserts in regional cuisine.

Owing to its flat, disc-shaped body, the fruit is commonly known as Turk's Turban. This makes the pumpkin a great decorative item for a fall display.

The fruit can grow to about 12 inches in diameter and weigh up to 5 pounds.

It will take around 120 days to reach maturity. The best part is that it is non-GMO, for health-conscious individuals.

Check out this Turkish Heirloom Pumpkin seeds on Amazon.

7. Musquee de Provence Pumpkin

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The Musquee de Provence pumpkin, also known as the Fairytale pumpkin, is a French heirloom variety celebrated for its stunning appearance and culinary versatility.

This pumpkin is deeply ribbed with a smooth, slightly flattened shape, and its skin matures from dark green to rich, buff color, resembling the shade of aged cheese.

The Musquee de Provence typically weighs between 15 to 20 pounds, making it a substantial and eye-catching addition to any fall display.

Inside, the pumpkin reveals a dense, vibrant orange flesh that is incredibly sweet and smooth, ideal for pies, soups, and roasting.

The flavor is rich and complex, with a subtle nutty undertone that makes it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

In addition to its culinary appeal, this pumpkin’s elegant, old-world charm makes it a beautiful decorative piece for autumn displays, particularly in rustic or farmhouse settings.

8. Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin

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This pumpkin variety is supposed to be the biggest of its kind.

Popularized and developed by contestant Howard Dill for growing a giant 493-pound monster, the weight record for this pumpkin only continues to get trampled every year.

Some enthusiasts have even managed to reach record highs of 2000 pounds.

All these stats make these seeds as the ideal contender for growing the pumpkin of your dreams.

Check out the Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin on Amazon.

Read more: How To Grow Giant Pumpkins

9. White Cushaw Pumpkin

These visually appealing, lustrous white pumpkins are ideal as both delicacy and decorative focal pieces.

The pumpkins are fairly easy to grow and are actually resistant to squash vine borers!

The best part is that these pumpkins can bear the harsh summer weather and still grow to full size.

Each pumpkin can grow up to 20 inches long with a curved neck and weigh around 20 pounds. Its thick yellow meat is perfect for use in the kitchen.

10. Lil Pump-ke-mon Pumpkin

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These seeds produce mini pumpkins, which, when fully grown, feature green and orange stripes against a white background to create a visually different look. This makes them ideal as a focal centerpiece.

Furthermore, these pumpkins have a distinct disc shape that can weigh up to 2 pounds max.

The yields are excellent, and harvest is easy, provided you take care of soil conditions.

Get your Lil Pump-ke-mon pumpkin seeds on Amazon.

11. Gooseneck Pumpkin

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Due to the curvature of their neck, gooseneck pumpkins literally look like a duck.

It makes great soups, pies, and muffins and is one of the most popular seeds in America.

Most people fondly call it a ‘neck pumpkin’ because of its uncanny resemblance to geese necks.

The skin is described as smooth tan, while the flesh is bright orange. It is possible for each pumpkin to weigh up to 20 pounds in size.

Try this 60 seeds Goose Neck pumpkin on Amazon.

12. Blue Jarrahdale Pumpkin

The Blue Jarrahdale pumpkin is a striking heirloom variety known for its unique slate-blue to grayish-green skin, which sets it apart from more common pumpkin types.

This Australian native is medium to large in size, typically weighing between 6 and 10 pounds. Its flattened, ribbed shape gives it a rustic charm.

Inside, the Blue Jarrahdale boasts vibrant, deep orange flesh that is dense, sweet, and perfect for cooking. Its flavor is often described as rich and slightly nutty, making it an excellent choice for pies, soups, and roasting.

In addition to its culinary uses, the Blue Jarrahdale's unusual color and shape make it a favorite for fall decor, adding an elegant, muted contrast to the brighter hues of traditional autumn displays.

Read more: How To Grow Jarrahdale Pumpkins [Care Tips, Photos and More]

Get your own Blue Pumpkin 20 seeds packet on Amazon.

13. Peanut Pumpkin

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The Peanut pumpkin, also known as the Galeux d’Eysines, is a fascinating heirloom variety recognized for its distinctive appearance.

The pumpkin's pale, salmon-colored skin is covered in peanut-like growths, or warts, which are actually hardened sugar secretions.

This unique texture gives the Peanut pumpkin its name and an unmistakably rustic, old-world charm.

Typically weighing between 10 to 15 pounds, it has a flattened, round shape with deep ribbing. Inside, the flesh is a rich orange, dense, and sweet, making it ideal for cooking, particularly in soups, pies, and purees.

The Peanut pumpkin is as much a conversation piece in fall decor as it is a culinary delight, offering a perfect blend of visual intrigue and practical use.

14. Kakai Pumpkin

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The Kakai pumpkin is a unique variety that stands out not just for its appearance but also for its highly sought-after seeds.

This medium-sized pumpkin typically weighs between 5 to 12 pounds and is distinguished by its deep green and orange-striped skin, which creates a striking contrast perfect for autumn displays.

The Kakai pumpkin's smooth, ribbed surface adds to its ornamental appeal, making it a favorite for both gardens and decorative arrangements.

What truly sets the Kakai pumpkin apart is its hull-less seeds, often referred to as "naked" seeds, which are ideal for roasting.

These seeds are rich in flavor and nutrition, making them a popular snack or ingredient in various dishes. While the pumpkins themselves are not commonly used for cooking, their seeds are highly prized for their culinary versatility.

15. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin

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The Long Island Cheese pumpkin is a classic heirloom variety known for its distinctive wheel-of-cheese shape, which gives it its name.

This pumpkin has smooth, buff-colored skin that is both attractive and durable, making it a popular choice for autumn decor.

Typically weighing between 6 to 12 pounds, it has a flattened, round shape with shallow ribbing, reminiscent of an old-fashioned cheese wheel.

Inside, the Long Island Cheese pumpkin boasts a dense, sweet flesh with a fine texture, making it ideal for pies and other baked goods.

Its flavor is rich and slightly nutty, making it a favorite among pumpkin enthusiasts and chefs alike.

There Are More Interesting Varieties to Choose From!

Pumpkins are fun to grow because of all the different interesting varieties available. If you're looking for more, read here:

73 Different Types Of Pumpkins That You Can Grow In Your Garden

54 Types Of Squash That You Can Grow In Your Garden

16 Weird Pumpkin Varieties (Pictures and Shopping Links)

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