Miniature pumpkins are perfect for various types of seasonal decoration. But beyond that, they are pretty simple to grow, and of course, they are easier to move around.
The emphasis on miniature pumpkins is their use in carvings and decorations. But if you want, you can use them in your recipes too. From making soups to making pies, scones, and hot drinks, mini pumpkins are pretty versatile.
Seeing how much miniature pumpkins can be of use, you may be considering getting some. When you decide to get some small pumpkins for yourself, the following are 23 types of miniature pumpkins to consider.
Table of Contents
1. Apprentice
Apprentice pumpkins are small, round, and smooth (minimal ribbing or no ribbing at all). They are orange (sometimes burnt orange), and they are typically 4 to 5 inches wide.
Apprentice pumpkins have rigid shells, and on average, they weigh around 1 pound. The plants of this variety of miniature pumpkin are resistant to some types of root rots (particularly those caused by Fusarium and Phytophthora).
2. Baby Boo
Baby Boo pumpkins have white or bone-white colors. They are usually around 2 inches tall and 3 inches wide, and they are popularly used for Halloween, Christmas, and wedding decorations. On average, Baby Boo pumpkins weigh 0.25-0.375 pounds.
If you decide to plant your own Baby Boo pumpkins, you can look out for up to 10 pumpkins per plant. If you intend to use them for Halloween decorations, harvest them just a bit premature to get the spooky shade of white.
3. Baby Pam
Baby Pam is one of the most desirable miniature pumpkins for baking pies. They typically weigh around 4-5 pounds, and they are orange and slightly ribbed.
If you plant your own Baby Pam, you can expect around 3 to 5 pumpkins from each vine. Baby Pam plants typically reach maturity 3-4 months after their first sprout. At that point, they should be 12-24 inches tall.
4. Batwing
Batwing pumpkins are colored orange, dark green, or orange & dark green. Orange and dark green typically create a batwing pattern on varieties that come with both colors. Hence, the name Batwing. The batwing pattern can be pretty spooky in the dark, so it is not surprising that this miniature pumpkin is a favorite for Halloween decoration.
On average, Batwing pumpkins weigh around 0.5 to 1 pound. They take about 80 days to mature, and you will get the best color if you plant them late and harvest early.
5. Blaze
Blaze pumpkins combine two shades of orange to create a fire-like pattern on their bodies. Perhaps, this is why they are called Blaze.
Blaze pumpkins are hybrid; they weigh 3 pounds on average and are 7 inches wide. This variety of miniature pumpkins is primarily ornamental. Thankfully, they make for perfect decorations in fall.
If you intend to plant Blaze pumpkins, you can expect around 10 to 12 pumpkins per plant. The yield is usually significant, and thankfully, the pumpkins are resistant to powdery mildew. So, they should not spoil readily.
6. Bumpkin
Bumpkins are pretty small – weighing around 0.375 to 0.5 pounds on average. These miniature pumpkins are hybrid; they are colored orange and are a perfect choice for decorations in fall.
Bumpkins put up intermediate resistance to powdery mildew. It takes about 85 days for them to reach maturity.
7. Casperita
Like Baby Boo pumpkins, Casperita pumpkins are white. While they are used primarily for ornamentation, they may also be eaten. Thankfully, Casperita pumpkins have a sweet taste and tender flesh.
On average, Casperita pumpkins weigh 0.5 to 1 pound.
8. Cherokee Tan
Cherokee Tan pumpkins are tan-orange heirloom pumpkins initially grown by Cherokee Native Americans. Hence, their name.
Cherokee Tans are highly disease-resistant. Plus, they are resistant to heat, and they do well over winter. These features make them very easy to store.
Cherokee Tan pumpkins are slightly ribbed. They are perfect for rustic autumnal decoration and can also be used for culinary purposes.
9. Crunchkin
Crunchkins are like a hard-shelled version of another type of miniature pumpkin – Munchkins. They are prominently ribbed orange pumpkins with light orange flecks. On average, Crunchkins weigh around 0.3 to 0.6 pounds.
Since Crunchkins have long storage times, you can have them around during later festivities like Thanksgiving. If you grow your own Crunchkins, you can expect them to mature within 100 days.
10. Fall Splendor
Fall Splendor pumpkins are a hybrid jack-o-lantern pumpkin variety. They typically weigh around 4 to 6 pounds and are 6 to 8 inches wide.
Fall Splendor pumpkins are great for children, and they are easy to carve. They are also resistant to powdery mildew, so you won’t have too much to worry about when you plant them.
11. Gooligan
Gooligan pumpkins are white and eye-catching. On average, they weigh 0.25 to 0.375 pounds (about the same as Baby Boo) and are 6 inches wide.
Since Gooligan pumpkins are white, you can readily paint on them. So, you are not just stuck with the white color when decorating; you can do your own thing.
12. Half Pint
Half Pint pumpkins are a hybrid jack-o-lantern variety. They are pretty easy to grow, easy to carve, highly disease-resistant, and they offer high yields. You will get much more pumpkins from Half Pint pumpkins than traditional jack-o-lanterns within a smaller area.
Half Pint pumpkins are round, orange, and slightly ribbed. On average, they weigh 0.5 pounds.
13. Hooligan
Hooligan pumpkins have a cute appearance. They are a multicolored variety – colored light yellow with orange mottles – and they are very ribbed.
The average Hooligan pumpkin weighs 0.25 pounds. They are 3 to 4 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
Hooligan pumpkins are great for fall and Halloween décor and they are also edible.
14. Jack-Be-Little
Jack-Be-Little is a popular classic orange miniature pumpkin. It is so small-sized that it may just fit in your hands. Jack-Be-Little pumpkins have flattened bases. They are prominently ribbed, 2 inches tall, and 3-4 inches wide. On average, they weigh 0.25-0.5 pounds.
Jack-Be-Little pumpkins have a long storage time. So, you can have them around for later celebrations. They are great for table decorations, but they may also be eaten. Thankfully, they are pretty tasty.
15. Jill-Be-Little
Jill-Be-Little pumpkins are dark orange. They are pretty similar to the Jack-Be-Little pumpkins; their diameters and heights are almost the same. Plus, they are both well ribbed.
16. Little October
Little October pumpkins are dark-orange heirloom pumpkins. They are famed for their round, small-sized bodies, which have little or no ribbings.
Little October pumpkins are great for use as Halloween carvings. On average, they weigh 0.5 to 0.75 pounds and are 3 to 4 inches wide.
17. Midnight
Midnight pumpkins have dark green skins, which sometimes look pitch black. So, it is no surprise they are called Midnight pumpkins.
Fruits of this miniature pumpkin type typically weigh around 1 to 2 pounds. The squash can be used for decoration, and you may also consume it if you want.
18. Munchkin
Munchkin pumpkins are classic ornamental pumpkins. They are well ribbed and are colored bright orange.
The average Munchkin pumpkin weighs around 0.25 to 0.5 pounds and is 3 to 4 inches wide.
The bright orange color of Munchkin pumpkins makes them very attractive to children. Of course, it also makes them a top option for fall decorations.
One downside to Munchkin pumpkins is their vulnerability to Mosaic viruses. So, if you intend to plant yours, ensure you put aphid control measures in place.
19. New England Sugar Pie
New England Sugar Pie pumpkins are spherical, orange heirloom pumpkins. As you may have guessed from the name, they are primarily used in cooking pies. But beyond pies, New England Sugar Pie pumpkins are also used for muffins, soups, and lattes.
On average, New England Sugar Pie pumpkins weigh less than 5 pounds and measure 6-8 inches in diameter.
Apart from their culinary purposes, New England Sugar Pie pumpkins can also be used for carving and painting.
20. Orangita
The deep ribbing and deep orange color of Orangita pumpkins are pretty pleasing to the eyes. Orangita pumpkins are resistant to powdery mildew, and they offer high yields.
On average, Orangita pumpkins weigh 1 to 1.5 pounds. They can be used for ornamental purposes, and they may also be consumed.
Orangita pumpkins are tender and sweet in the same way as acorn squash. So they are very enjoyable to eat.
21. Small Sugar
Small Sugar pumpkins are typically used to make pies. But they may also be used for other culinary purposes. On average, they weigh around 6 pounds and are 7 to 10 inches wide.
Small Sugar pumpkins are round but flattened at the bases. They are colored deep orange, and their ribbing is moderately prominent.
22. Snowball
Snowball pumpkins are colored bright white, and this makes them nothing short of attractive. Of course, the intense white color and their ball-like shape earned them the name Snowball.
The average Snowball pumpkin is 2 to 4 pounds with minimal or no ribbing.
The smoothness and the white color of Snowball pumpkins make them perfect for painting. But you can also use them for cooking.
23. Sweet Dumpling
Sweet Dumpling pumpkins are a winter squash variety of pumpkins. As the name hints, they are edible and are primarily used for culinary purposes. The flesh of Sweet Dumpling pumpkins is tender and very sweet.
Sweet Dumpling pumpkins are white or bone-white with dark green mottles. You may sometimes see orange mottles on them.
Sweet Dumpling pumpkins measure around 4 to 5 inches in diameter.
Resources
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/pumpkin/common-pumpkin-varieties.htm
- https://www.homefortheharvest.com/small-pumpkins
- https://www.urbangardengal.com/small-pumpkin-varieties
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/01679-pumpkin-apprentice
- https://www.seedneeds.com/products/baby-pam-pumpkin
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/00688-pumpkin-baby-boo
- https://hosstools.com/product/blaze-pumpkin
- https://www.neseed.com/shop/vegetableseeds/pumpkin/minisize/bumpkin
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/11686-pumpkin-bumpkin
- https://hosstools.com/product/cherokee-tan-pumpkin
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/11714-pumpkin-crunchkin
- https://hosstools.com/product/half-pint-pumpkin
- https://hosstools.com/product/hooligan-pumpkin
- https://hosstools.com/product/fall-splendor-pumpkin
- https://www.burpee.com/pumpkin-jack-be-little
- https://www.seedgro.com/seeds/little-october-pumpkin
- https://www.seedway.com/product/midnight-pumpkin-treated-seed
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/00698-pumpkin-munchkin
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/11979-pumpkin-orangita
- https://www.cooksinfo.com/small-sugar-pumpkins
- https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/12446-pumpkin-snowball
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/sweet-dumpling-acorn-squash.htm