15 Unique and Rare Pumpkin Varieties to Look For This Year

It's pumpkin time, and we have some fun and unique varieties for you to look for this year. Pumpkins come in many shapes, colors, and sizes. Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has some exciting types to check out, and see if you can find them at your local pumpkin patch!

A vibrant mix of small orange and green-striped fruits with smooth, ribbed skins, arranged on a rustic wooden surface with varying shades of orange and green in the stems and body.

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It seems like as soon as the first leaf falls, everything turns to pumpkin spice. I’m not knocking it. I know this occurrence is much anticipated by many, but sometimes I want something a bit different. We don’t need to throw out the whole pumpkin experience. But what if we found some unique and rare alternatives to the usual big orange squash?

It’s too late to grow these interesting cultivars this year. But since pumpkins can take a while to mature, there’s no time like the present to start planning for next year. Plant your pumpkins between May and June for a bountiful autumn harvest

For now, it’s a great time to enjoy these unusual varieties and order some seeds for next year. Then, see if you can find some of them at your local pumpkin patch! Here are some colorful, shapely, and unique varieties to grow in your garden. 

Red Warty Thing

Red Warty Thing Pumpkin Seeds

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Red Warty Thing Pumpkin Seeds

Galeux d’Eysines

Galeux d'Eysines Pumpkin Seeds

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Galeux d’Eysines Pumpkin Seeds

Jarrahdale

Jarrahdale Pumpkin Seeds

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Jarrahdale Pumpkin Seeds

‘Black Kat’

A collection of dark, almost black, round fruits with glossy skins and short, slightly curved stems, resting on a dark surface that highlights their dramatic coloring and smooth texture.
The outside of ‘Black Kat’ is the darkest green you can imagine.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo ‘Black Kat’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINECompact
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

This little cutie is compact and has some great characteristics. Easy for little ones to handle, ‘Black Kat’ only weighs about a pound or two when mature. The vines are manageable at six to eight feet long, and they mature relatively fast at about 75-80 days

The outside of ‘Black Kat’ is the darkest green you can imagine. When they are ripe, they are nearly black. They make great accents added to larger, more brightly colored pumpkins. A fun feature of this variety is that when you cut into it, despite the dark rind, the flesh is bright orange

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‘Blue Doll’

A large, pale blue fruit with a soft grayish tone and slightly flattened shape, nestled among smaller orange fruits in a field of straw, with visible ribbing and a stout, curved stem.
It’s more square than round, with a depression on top, making it a great stacking pumpkin.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Blue Doll’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

Quite the opposite of ‘Black Kat,’ ‘Blue Doll’ is large and colorful. If you’ve never seen a blue variety, this is one of the prettiest. ‘Blue Doll’ pumpkins are large and dense. They can easily weigh up to 20 pounds. The extra-long vines produce a hearty volume.

‘Blue Doll’ has beautiful blue-green skin. It’s more square than round, with a depression on top, making it a great stacking pumpkin. Inside, the flesh is pale orange and good for baking. They also have a long shelf life, lasting up to three months. 

‘One Too Many’

A light, creamy white fruit covered in delicate orange veining and faint spots, sitting among other similar fruits, with a distinct pinkish blush and a thick, central stem.
The skin is interesting, as it is white with irregular reddish-orange veins all over.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘One Too Many’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

If you want a fun and different carving pumpkin, look for ‘One Too Many.’ This is an easy cultivar to grow and can reach impressive weights of up to 20 pounds. The full-sized vines produce about two or three fruits each. 

‘One Too Many’ is full and round. The skin is interesting, as it is white with irregular reddish-orange veins all over. Their quirky name comes from the look of a person’s eyes after a night of overindulgence. The flesh is edible and makes a nice pie.

‘Galeux d’Eysines’

A large orange fruit covered in rough, warty growths, its surface textured with beige, crust-like bumps, lying on the ground among similar fruits, exuding a unique, rustic appearance.
The bumpy skin is a result of their high sugar content, and they have delicious, smooth flesh.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbitae maxima ‘Galeux d’Eysines’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINE10-15 feet
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

It may not be the prettiest pumpkin on the lot, but if you like to cook your pumpkins, ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ is one of the sweetest around. The bumpy skin is a result of their high sugar content, and they have delicious, smooth flesh. Use this variety for a tasty soup or sauce. 

‘Galeux d’Eysines’ are medium-sized fruits weighing between 10 and 15 pounds at maturity. Their unique skin makes them an interesting addition to autumn decor and table centerpieces. They store for a long time, up to six months!

‘Jarrahdale’

A low-growing, rounded fruit with a smooth, muted blue-gray surface, sitting directly on dry soil in a garden, with a few scattered leaves in the background and a short, dark stem.
Their striking silvery blue skin mixes beautifully with other, more traditional pumpkins. 
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Jarrahdale’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINE10-15 feet
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

This blue variety is medium-sized, reaching about 6-12 pounds at maturity. They are drum-shaped with a flattened top and bottom, making them great for stacking. Their striking silvery blue skin mixes beautifully with other, more traditional pumpkins. 

‘Jarrahdale’ pumpkins are good for carving, but it takes a bit more elbow grease. The flesh is golden and creamy, with a stringless texture and a nutty flavor. Slice this one open, drizzle with honey, and bake it for a delicious treat. 

YouTube video

‘Crunchkin’

A group of small, deeply ribbed orange fruits arranged on a weathered wooden table, their short, sturdy stems protruding from their vibrant, smooth surfaces.
The rind is orange with light yellow speckling.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo ‘Crunchkin’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

You’ve seen the adorable ‘Munchkin’ variety in most places that sell pumpkins. This is their cousin ‘Crunchkin’ named for their extra thick and crunchy skin. This small variety matures in about 80-100 days and grows on long, vigorous vines. 

The rind is orange with light yellow speckling. They have long, thin stems and are excellent for craft projects because they are easy for small hands to carry. Their sweet flesh is good for baking, but you’ll need quite a few if you want to make a pie with them. 

‘Red Warty Thing’

A group of large, round fruits with bright, deep red-orange skin covered in thick, rough warts, creating a dramatic textured appearance, set in a pile of similar fruits with noticeable stems.
The unique feature of this squash is its thick, red skin. It’s covered in large bumps, giving it a warty appearance.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Red Warty Thing’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINE10-15 feet
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

It’s a funky name for a funky-looking pumpkin. ‘Red Warty Thing’ looks just like it sounds. Large and firm, these 10-20 pound fruits have a thick skin that makes them good for long storage times. The vines are long but only produce one or two fruits each. 

The unique feature of this squash is its thick, red skin. It’s covered in large bumps, giving it a warty appearance. Inside, it’s all sweetness and refinement. The smooth, creamy flesh is delicious and wonderful for cooking. It makes a fun Jack-o-Lantern, too!

‘Fireball’

Fruits with bold yellow and orange stripes, their surfaces smooth and rounded with prominent ribbing, arranged in a clustered pile that accentuates the warm, fiery colors and sturdy stems.
As they mature, the ribs change to a dark orange, but the stem remains deep green.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Fireball’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

‘Fireball’ looks like a miniature pumpkin but grows to a more medium size, about 12″ tall and wide. At maturity, the fruits weigh around nine pounds. They are mostly round but can be slightly flat on top. They are highly disease-resistant

These squash have a fun and different appearance. When unripe, they have dark green ribs on a yellow background. As they mature, the ribs change to a dark orange, but the stem remains deep green. They are edible, but they’re mainly grown for ornamental use

‘Lil Pump-Ke-Mon’

A colorful collection of small, round fruits with bright orange and cream stripes and bumpy ribbing, their thin, curling stems giving them a playful, compact appearance as they sit in a large pile.
The skin is creamy white, and the ribs have orange and green stripes and speckles in the same shades.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo ‘Lil Pump-Ke-Mon’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINECompact
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

‘Lil Pump-Ke-Mon’ is a mini pumpkin with tons of personality. It is small but packs a punch in the color department. This is another great craft variety. Weighing about one to two pounds, it is perfect for little hands and creative minds. 

The fruits are small and slightly flattened. The skin is creamy white, and the ribs have orange and green stripes and speckles in the same shades. They are good for roasting and serving personal-sized around the holidays. Stuff them or spice them for a surprisingly decorative side dish. 

‘Mellow Yellow’

A strikingly smooth, round fruit with a glossy, bright yellow surface and a thin, upright green stem, sitting against a backdrop of other yellow fruits that enhance its vibrant hue.
The fruits are medium to large and blocky to round, weighing between 10 and 18 pounds.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo ‘Mellow Yellow’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

‘Mellow Yellow’ is just this side of conventional. On its own, you might think it looks like the average pumpkin, but place it next to a conventional fruit, and you’ll see its golden glow. This hybrid is lighter and brighter in color. 

The fruits are medium to large and blocky to round, weighing between 10 and 18 pounds. They are resistant to powdery mildew and perform well in the garden. This is a great pumpkin, with sweet, nutty, golden flesh. It’s also great for carving. 

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‘Polar Bear’

A large, perfectly round fruit with a smooth, creamy white surface, sitting on dark, moist soil with green leaves framing the scene, emphasizing its pristine, almost glowing appearance.
The smooth, white rind makes these great for carving and decorating.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Polar Bear’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

You’ve probably seen the small white ‘Cinderella’ variety. ‘Polar Bear’ has a similar look but is much larger. You can’t miss these at the patch, they tower over their neighbors at up to 18 inches tall. These extra large fruits can weigh from 30 to 65 pounds at maturity!

Smooth, white rind makes these great for carving and decorating. More than its decorative use, ‘Polar Bear’ is most commonly grown for edible use. The flesh is sweet and orange. It’s great for baking with or cooking whole. You can make a lot of delicious soup with a single ‘Polar Bear.’

‘Grizzly Bear’

A collection of round orange fruits with knobby, bumpy surfaces and thick green stems, giving them a rugged, rough texture, arranged in a heap against a muted outdoor background.
The fruits are round and orange, and the warts can be the same orange or a lighter shade. 
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo ‘Grizzly Bear’ Super Freak Series™
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

This bear is small, with a sprinkling of small warts caused by its high sugar content. ‘Grizzly Bear’ is a small to medium-sized variety, coming in at about six to eight pounds at maturity. The fruits are round and orange, and the warts can be the same orange or a lighter shade. 

‘Grizzly Bear’ has strong vines that are resistant to important diseases. They have long, strong, green stems, which are high producers. The fruit is flavorful and sweet, and it lasts a long time in storage.

‘Porcelain Doll’

A large, pale pink fruit with gentle ribbing and a smooth, matte surface, sitting on the ground with a few brown leaves scattered nearby, its soft color contrasting with the surrounding greenery.
The fruits are large, weighing between 16 and 24 pounds.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita maxima ‘Porcelain Doll’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

‘Porcelain Doll’ bears a resemblance to ‘Blue Doll’ but with apricot-colored skin.  The rind is thick and firm, so these last a long time and are durable in the field. Expect two to three large pumpkins per vine. 

The fruits are large, weighing between 16 and 24 pounds. They are blocky with flattened tops and bottoms, great for stacking. Their dark orange flesh is sweet and great for making pies. 

‘Long Island Cheese’

A tan, smooth-skinned fruit with a flattened shape and shallow ribbing, nestled in a pile of similar fruits, its short, curled stem emerging from the center of the soft beige surface.
The outside is tan to light orange, and smooth, with a flattened shape.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita moschata ‘Long Island Cheese’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

This nostalgic squash is an old cultivar with a long history of use in pie making. Its incredibly smooth, stringless, and sweet flesh is bright orange and nutrient-rich, with a high sugar content, making it ideal for desserts. 

The outside is tan to light orange, and smooth, with a flattened shape. It gets its name from its physical appearance, resembling a cheese wheel. The thick, hard rind makes this good for storing for long periods, up to six months

‘Blaze’

A cluster of bright orange fruits with deep ribbing and dark yellow streaks, their thin, curling stems creating a lively, textured appearance as they pile together in a cheerful display of color.
These small pumpkins have a flattened shape and yellow skin with orange ribs.
BOTANICAL NAMECucurbita pepo var. pepo ‘Blaze’
SUN REQUIREMENTSFull sun
VINELong
HARDINESS ZONES3-11

This last variety is predominantly an ornamental one. ‘Blaze’ bears small fruits up to about three pounds and seven inches in diameter. The vines are vigorous and excellent producers. They are resistant to powdery mildew, as well. 

These small pumpkins have a flattened shape and yellow skin with orange ribs. The dark green stem stands out and curls lightly up top. This hybrid variety’s bright colors make it wonderful for crafting and autumn decor.

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