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 16 weird pumpkin varieties will surely intrigue any gardening enthusiast.
Ready to discover something new? Read on for a visual treat, complete with handy shopping links to grow your own eccentric pumpkin garden.
1. Warty Goblin Pumpkin
This pumpkin gets it’s rather unique name because of all those ‘warts’ texture which give it a slightly sinister look.
But underneath the layers of warts, the skin manages to retain its bright orange color and luster.
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.
Get your Warty Goblin pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
2. Cotton Candy Pumpkin
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.
Get your Cotton Candy pumpkin 10 seeds on Amazon.
3. Italian Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin
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, the pumpkin offers a pleasantly dry, sweet flavor that can be savored on its own or incorporated into various dishes.
Check out this Marina Di Chioggia Bumpy Blue pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
4. Jack Be Little Pumpkin Seeds
These cute orange colored pumpkins can actually fit in the palm of your hands!
But just because they happen to be incredibly small-sized, doesn’t mean they are any easier to grow.
It takes between 90 to 100 days for the pumpkins to fully mature. Make sure you maintain the soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5 to create the ideal growth conditions.
Come harvesting season, make sure you don’t break the step. Simply cut away at the step with a sharp knife.
The most common predator for this pumpkin is the 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
It takes about 105 days for these beautiful pumpkins to fully mature, but the end result is definitely worth the extra hassle.
When fully mature, these eclectic pumpkins don a very flat, pure white appearance that is both unique to look at and extremely tasty when eaten.
This rare white pumpkin can grow to the size of at least 30 pounds.
Provided that you’re able to maintain a healthy soil composition, this pumpkin species will grow vigorously with tremendous yield potential.
Check out this white flat Boer Ford pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
6. Japanese Black Pumpkin
These Japanese pumpkins have an unusual globular structure and don a black-green skin with brilliant orange-yellow flesh.
Once you crack the thick skin open, you will find a very familiar-looking orange-colored flesh.
The flavor and texture of the flesh can be likened to that of butternut squash or perhaps a sweet potato.
The Japanese pumpkin has a delicious taste when roasted or used as an ingredient with other dishes such as stir fry and tempura recipes.
Many people favor the moist, fleshy, and soft meat of the pumpkin which doesn’t deform when frozen.
This makes it ideal for use in baking recipes. The pumpkin only grows to full size of 4 pounds.
Get your Japanese Black Pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
7. Turkish Heirloom Pumpkins
The Turkish Heirloom 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 flesh is dense and succulent, making it a favored ingredient for soups, roasts, and desserts in regional cuisine.
The fruit goes by the common moniker Turk’s Turban, owing to its flat, disc-shaped body. This makes the pumpkin a great decorative item for 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.
8. Full Moon Giant White Pumpkin
These massive pumpkins live up to their name and can reach sizes of around 48 inches in diameter.
The average weight for a fully grown Full Moon Pumpkin is around 25 to 25 pounds, but if the soil conditions are perfect enough, some people have managed to grow massive 90 pounders.
This pumpkin has a very smooth surface which can be cut into to reveal thick yellow, delicious flesh.
Due to its sheer size and white appearance, this pumpkin is the perfect choice for use in home gardens.
Check out this Full Moon Giant pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
9. Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
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.
Dreaming of growing one of these? Learn how here: How To Grow Giant Pumpkins
10. White Cushaw Pumpkin
These visually appealing lustrous white pumpkins are ideal as both delicacy and decorative focal piece.
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.
Get your White Cushaw pumpkin seeds on Amazon.
11. Lil Pump-ke-mon Pumpkin
These seeds produce mini pumpkins and when fully grown, feature green and orange stripes against a white background to create a visually different look, which makes it 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.
12. Gooseneck Pumpkin
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’ due to the uncanny resemblance it has 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.
13. Blue Pumpkin
This pack of 20 seeds allows you to grow your own Jarrahdale pumpkins. They have a distinct flattened shape with lustrous light blue skin.
The outer skin is thick and durable while the inside reveals delicious flesh that can be roasted to perfection.
You can store them for 5 to 6 months without worrying about decay.
Get your own Blue Pumpkin 20 seeds packet on Amazon.
14. Peanut Pumpkin
Peanut pumpkins have hit the mainstream and you are now more likely to see them on produce aisles.
These heirlooms are noted for this distinct peanut-like texture peppering its pink-hued skin.
These pumpkins are very delicious to eat thanks to the excess buildup of sugar in the flesh.
Grow you own Peanut Pumpkin with these seeds from Amazon.
15. Heirloom Nantucket Pumpkin
These pumpkins have an unusual shape with a slender, long body.
Other than that, their appearance is fairly forgettable thanks to the traditional bright orange rind.
These pumpkins are mainly popular for their flesh which can be used in delicious baking recipes.
16. Bumpkin Pumpkin
This tiny little hybrid will make a great addition to your fall display.
The bumpkin naturally resists powdery mildew and has a fairly low maturation time of fewer than 90 days.
Its rind has a rough peanut-like texture, which is sure to catch your spectator’s eye.
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
And if you're wondering where you can get them all, check here: Top 50 Online Stores For Pumpkin And Squash Seeds
