Jack-o'-Lantern, Pie, White Ghost and Gourds: Pumpkin Types Explained
Walk into any pumpkin patch in October and you will see a lot more than round orange pumpkins. There are white ones, blue ones, flat ones, warty ones and tiny ones that fit in your hand. Each type has its own strengths, and knowing the difference helps you pick the right pumpkin for carving, baking or decorating.
Jack-o'-lantern pumpkins
These are the classic orange pumpkins most people picture. They are grown for size and shape, with a smooth face, a sturdy stem and fairly thin walls that make them easy to carve. They come in medium and large sizes and do most of the work on a porch display, especially on the steps. Their flesh is watery and stringy, so they are not the best choice for cooking.
Pie pumpkins
Pie pumpkins, sometimes called sugar pumpkins, are small and round, usually six to eight inches across. They have thicker, sweeter, smoother flesh than carving pumpkins, which is why they are the ones to use for baking. On a porch, they make great filler. They fit into gaps between larger pumpkins and look good grouped in threes on a step or a windowsill.
White pumpkins
White pumpkins, often called ghost pumpkins, have a pale shell that ranges from bright white to cream. They are a simple way to add contrast to an orange display, and they work well for a softer look that carries from Halloween into Thanksgiving. One tip: some white varieties can take on a yellow tint in strong sun, so they stay whitest on a shaded part of the porch.
Specialty and heirloom pumpkins
This is the fun group. A few you might see:
Cinderella pumpkins are flat and deeply ribbed, with a red-orange color, named for the pumpkin in the fairy tale.
Blue or gray pumpkins, like Jarrahdale, have a dusty blue-gray shell that looks great next to white and orange.
Fairytale pumpkins are tan to deep brown with heavy ribs and a slightly rustic look.
Peanut pumpkins, also called Galeux d'Eysines, are pale pink and covered in bumps that look like peanut shells.
Warty pumpkins have knobby, bumpy skin and add texture to a display.
Specialty pumpkins tend to have thicker shells, and many of them hold up very well outdoors. A few placed among the classic orange pumpkins make a display look planned rather than bought in a hurry.
Squash on the porch
Some of the most striking pieces are not pumpkins at all but winter squash. Cushaws have long, curved necks and green and white stripes. Blue Hubbards are large, gray-blue and lumpy. Both add unusual shapes and colors, and both last well into November.
Gourds and minis
Ornamental gourds come in every color and shape: striped, warty, pear-shaped, and long-necked. Mini pumpkins are small orange or white pumpkins about the size of a softball or smaller. Ornamental gourds are grown for looks, not eating, and while mini pumpkins can be cooked, most people use them to decorate. They are best for filling small spaces, decorating tables and windowsills, and adding detail near the door, where people see them up close.
Grand pumpkins
At the other end are the giant pumpkins, the kind grown for size. A single grand pumpkin at the base of the steps can anchor an entire display. They are heavy, so plan to place them once and leave them there.
Putting it together
A good display mixes a few types. Use jack-o'-lanterns for size, pie pumpkins and minis to fill gaps, and white or specialty pumpkins as accents. Add gourds near the door for detail, and you will have a porch with color, texture and depth.
Questions about your pumpkins?
If you have a question about a pumpkin variety we did not cover here, we would be glad to help. Call or text us at (513) 409-0005, or send a message through our contact page. We are a family-run business right here in the Springboro, Dayton and Cincinnati area, and we are always happy to talk pumpkins.