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Pumpkin Botany: Varieties, Growing, Facts

Pumpkin Botany: Varieties, Growing, Facts

By Nina Walsh · September 28, 2026

More Than Halloween Decor

Technically fruits with seeds, cultivated 7,500+ years in the Americas.

Three Species

C. pepo: Jack-o-lantern, zucchini. Fastest.
C. maxima: Giants. Largest fruits.
C. moschata: Butternut. Heat tolerant.

Growing

Full sun, rich soil, consistent moisture. Vines spread 10-20 feet.

Pollination

Monoecious. Bees transfer pollen. Hand-pollinate with brush.