Pumpkin Cucurbita maxima / C. pepo
Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima / C. pepo) is an annual vegetable in the Cucurbitaceae family. It grows 40–70 cm (16–28 in) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Pumpkin in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pumpkin at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Mature height | 40–70 cm (16–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 6–9 weeks after planting, for 7–13 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 120 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit, seeds, flowers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Pumpkin toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Pumpkin is non-toxic to people and pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Pumpkin
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": squash leaves shade the soil between corn, reducing weeds and evaporation. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Cucurbits (squash family): Cucurbits share powdery mildew, cucumber beetles and mosaic viruses; good airflow and spacing reduce spread. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew spreads between cucurbits in warm, dry weather. Evidence C
See Pumpkin in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (2 plants)
Questions about Pumpkin
- How far apart should I plant Pumpkin?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Pumpkin need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pumpkin need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pumpkin?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Pumpkin flower?
- About 6–9 weeks after planting, for 7–13 weeks.
- Is Pumpkin poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Pumpkin is non-toxic to people and pets.
- What grows well with Pumpkin?
- "Three sisters": squash leaves shade the soil between corn, reducing weeds and evaporation.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Sprawling vines need a large area.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cucumber Cucumis sativus
- Zucchini (courgette) Cucurbita pepo
- Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
- Muskmelon (cantaloupe) Cucumis melo
- Butternut squash Cucurbita moschata
- Bitter melon Momordica charantia
- Luffa (sponge gourd) Luffa aegyptiaca
- Bottle gourd Lagenaria siceraria