12 Interesting and Unique Pumpkin Varieties to Look for This Fall

Halloween is often relegated to a children’s activity, replete with gaudy decorations of plastic skeletons and spiderwebs. When it comes to simple decorations that capture the fall spirit, yet aren’t overly garish, pumpkins present an appealing alternative. 

Humble and unobtrusive, these gourds, along with a medley of squash varieties, are great for home décor or adorning the front porch come fall. Pumpkins are teeming with character, with enough variety for everyone: Some are riddled with blistering warts; others, like ‘Moon Beam,’ are ghostly pale. And they’re not just for decoration – some are great for eating as well. 

Here is a list of interesting pumpkin varieties to look out for this season. 

 

1. Blue Prince 

With a prominent score in areas of fruit size, and uniformity, color, taste, and texture, the 'Blue Prince' pumpkin certainly lives up to its princely moniker. A flattened pumpkin with a porcelain paint coloring, it boasts deep orange flesh that is great for pies and other treats. 

2. One Too Many

You can never have too many pumpkins, despite what this pumpkin’s name might insinuate. In terms of uniqueness, 'One Too Many' is outstanding, featuring a creamy exterior laced with orange. It is rather heavy, weighing up to 20 lbs. You might notice its resemblance to bloodshot eyes, similar to someone who’s had too much drinks – or someone who’s been kept up all night from fear – adding an extra macabre layer. 

3. Black Kat  

Goth gardeners will delight in the darkly hued 'Black Kat' pumpkin, whose color deepens as it matures. It averages only 1 – 3 lbs, perfect for a more personal-sized pumpkin you can display or give to kids. While it definitely be the highlight of your fall décor, this pumpkin is also edible, with a mild flavor that works well in stews, soups, and roasted dishes. 

4. ‘Moon Beam’ F1

You’ve probably heard of ‘moon beam ice cream’ from the viral TikTok song, but what about Moon Beam pumpkins? This charming pumpkin is a bush-type (restricted vine) hybrid, with the added benefit of powdery mildew resistance. The fruit is pure white, the color of moonlight, and accented by a sturdy stem. When looking for pumpkins, make sure you’re not confusing it with the squash variety, labelled as Moonbeam. 

5.  Galeux d'Eysines

If you’re not planning on consuming your pumpkins after the décor period ends, this French cultivar is best used as a warty, unconventional decoration. The beige, peanut-shaped blisters are actually sugar concentrations that build up in the flesh as it matures. Its flesh is too soft and watery for desserts and is instead used in stews. Stack on top of other pumpkins for a unique tabletop centerpiece. 

6. Red Warty Thing 

Many gardeners will get a laugh out of this pumpkin’s hilarious name. Usually, a proliferation of warts is a cause for alarm, but for this pumpkin, it’s a trait that gives it character. Known for its long, vigorous vines, the fruits grow up to 20 lbs, though each plant only produces one or two pumpkins. Carve it into a bizarre and grotesque jack-o-lantern to scare children.

7. Winter Luxury Pie 

Many people consider 'Winter Luxury Pie' to be the best for pumpkin pie due to its superbly sweet, smooth flesh. It’s also decoratively pleasing, with a fine, orange netting texture that becomes apparent under closer inspection. To make pumpkin pie, pierce the skin a few times, then bake it whole at 350 degrees for about an hour or until a fork easily pierces it. 

8. Flat White Boer Pumpkin

There’s something about flattened pumpkins that is just darling. Flat White Boer pumpkins typically weigh about 15 – 17 pounds, exhibiting a flattened, droopy appearance that makes them a must-have for autumn displays, especially when stacked together. They are named after the Dutch Boers, once the colonial power in South Africa. The vines are vigorous and the flesh is considered tasty – great for baking.

9. Jarrahdale   

Jarrahdales are known for their decorative, slate-blue skin, which has made them popular in home and garden magazines. Weighing in at 6 – 10 lbs, they are medium-sized pumpkins; their sweet, stringless flesh makes them suitable for baking. However, they can be tricky to cut open – first, stabilize it on a cutting board, then cleave it in half with a sharp, heavy knife. 

10. Long Island Cheese Pumpkin 

Sometimes, a pumpkin’s aesthetics are enough to warrant a stay in your home – and this striking pumpkin is one of the most beautiful. Long Island Cheese is an old heirloom variety with a flattened appearance and pale orange skin. It has a sweet, earthy flavor and stores exceptionally well, with a shelf life of up to a year. It’s recommended that you place it in a cool, dry, dark place in your house during the winter for future use. 

11. Turk’s Turban  

A specialty squash, it has a fun shape and color, with a bulbous base and a distinct, rounded cap that looks like it has been separated. It offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor that’s great for roasting, baking, stuffing, or pureeing. Cut it open, bake it, and add in butter and brown sugar for flavor.  

12. Black Futsu Pumpkin

Although technically a winter squash, this pumpkin’s unusual texture earns a place among all other fall décor, particularly if you have an affinity for ‘ugly’ pumpkins. The skin is a bumpy tan color that matures to a moldy green, while the flesh is bright orange and slightly nutty in flavor. It can be prepared like any winter squash: in pies, mashed, roasted, or used in soups.