24 Unique Pumpkins To Decorate With Other Than Plain Old Orange

There are around 150 varieties of pumpkins from around the globe, ranging from classic orange 'Howden Field' and 'Jack-o-Lantern' pumpkins that are great for carving to unique cultivars with unusual shapes and colors. There is even a type of pumpkin you should plant if you want a giant crop – the 'Dill's Atlantic Giant.' But if you love creating elaborate fall harvest scenes on your porch or in your home, it's time to think beyond the typical orange varieties. There are many lovely heirloom pumpkins and more colorful hybrids that will add extra charm to your autumn displays. 

Today, the vegetable that people think about when they say "pumpkin" is typically one of three species. This includes Cucurbita pepo, which are plain field pumpkins; Cucurbita maxima, which are typically the giant varieties; and Cucurbita moschata, which includes butternut squash and several pumpkin cultivars. When you look at the incredible variations within these species, you have a lot of options to decorate your spaces with vivid colors and textures. Try one of the many fun and creative ways to decorate with pumpkins for a stunning fall display, utilizing everything from small 'Munchkin' pumpkins to large, oblong 'Long Island Cheese' pumpkins.

Originating in South America, the 'Marina Di Chioggia' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) has been linked to the city of Chioggia, Italy, since the 1600s, when it was imported to the area. This delightfully blue-green, flat squash is often used for pies and pasta. Its name translates to Chioggia Sea pumpkin, emphasizing its home in the coastal Italian town. The knotted texture of the blue-green outer rind of this heirloom pumpkin will add rich texture to your displays.

Despite being the typical shade of orange, these pumpkins stand out for their diminutive size. Considered a type of miniature pumpkin, if you grab a few 'Munchkin' pumpkins, you likely will only have a couple of pounds altogether. These little, bright-orange pumpkins, weighing less than a pound each, belong to the C. pepo species and are great for decorative use. At maturity, 'Munchkin' pumpkins are only about 3 inches in diameter, an ideal size to set on a mantel or use in place settings. Display these tiny, but mighty, pumpkins by the dozen.

A blank canvas for painting or a good match for bold fall colors, the 'Casper' pumpkin is an all-white variety about the same size as a classic 'Jack-o'-Lantern' pumpkin. This type of pumpkin belongs to the C. maxima species. Along with offering a beautiful, austere look to your fall decor, 'Casper' pumpkins are a pumpkin variety that is best for carving. Use 'Casper' pumpkins to offset bright orange pumpkins in your decor or to add to a more modern, contrasting design.

An Australian-originating heirloom variety, the 'Queensland Blue' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) has fruit with deep ridges and a flattened look like a wheel of cheese. The blue-green color is a refreshing change from classic orange, giving you the opportunity to add cooler tones to your fall decor. The distinct blue of this pumpkin is also a great way to naturally add a teal-colored pumpkin to your porch. The meaning behind putting a teal pumpkin on your porch is linked to supporting children with food allergies during trick-or-treating.

With a name like 'Blaze,' you probably expect a bold variety of pumpkin. And while this cultivar might not be the biggest, this variety makes up for it with its bright orange and yellow stripes. Because these pumpkins have a compact, consistent shape, you can add them to your decor to give it symmetry. A medium-sized pumpkin, the 'Blaze' variety gets to be about 7 inches in diameter. A good size for indoor or outdoor decorative purposes, they have a slightly flat appearance for a classic, oblong pumpkin shape.

Most pumpkins slowly change from green to orange as they ripen. However, the 'Speckled Hound' pumpkin cultivar is a hybrid plant that has mature fruit with a pink and blue look. The 'Speckled Hound' pumpkin has a unique pattern of color that resembles a paint splatter, with blue-green color spilling down its sides. Adding these uniquely-colored and box-like squash to your fall decor is an easy way to add more interest and variety without using bright, artificial colors. Set one on a bale of hay for instant fall perfection.

If you are feeling a little witchy this fall, get even more in the spirit with the 'Knuckle Head' pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo). This hybrid pumpkin features wart-like bumps or scabs in shades of green and orange. The rest of the pumpkin is classic orange, so use this variety for a subtly spooky porch ornament or to complement a ghoulish Halloween scene with witches and monsters. Wrap faux spiderwebs around or near for a little extra effect.

Perhaps the most stunning of the available ornamental pumpkin varieties, the 'Turk's Turban' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) dates back to the early 1800s. These multi-colored, oddly shaped pumpkins make for extraordinary decor, whether you use one or 100. The shape features a distinct bulging cap on top of a typical pumpkin shape, with a mottled mixture of white, silver, and green on an orange-red canvas. Give a little flair to outdoor displays with its array of colors and unique look.

Originating as a cultivar from Native American settlements, including members of the Lakota Sioux, the 'Lakota' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) has a unique pear shape with a bold red base color. Green lines also run down parts of the pumpkin, although many turn all red at maturity. The shape lends itself to clustered decorative arrangements for an effortless look by a front door or in large planters.

Whether you're decorating for fall or for a spooky Halloween display, the 'Red Warty Thing' cultivar is a perfect addition. The bright red of this pumpkin pairs with its knobby texture to create an eye-catching display. This variety is classified as an extra-large type, weighing in at between 20 and 25 pounds at maturity. They are well-suited for placement in an entryway in a rustic crate along with other coarse textures like rough cornstalks.

If you are attempting to create the perfect stacked pumpkin fall decoration, you will want a solid, sturdy pumpkin as the base. The 'Long Island Cheese' variety, straight from Long Island, New York, has the ideal shape. Similar in appearance to a wheel of cheese, this light-colored pumpkin has a tan hue. While you can simply utilize 'Long Island Cheese' pumpkins for their squat, round shape, they are also considered one of the best pie pumpkins. It belongs to another species of squash, often called pumpkins — Cucurbita moschata.

The homespun charm of heirloom pumpkins is apparent with the 'American Tondo' variety (Cucurbita pepo). An ornamental selection with a deep orange base and fuzzy green stripes, the 'American Tondo' may have been developed hundreds of years ago in South America. Wherever it first came into existence, this pumpkin can be an easy statement piece for a small display. A medium-sized variety, place it on its own or alongside smaller, miniature pumpkins. Draw out the warm orange-yellow base with sunny yellow mums, or give your porch a contrast with brighter purple asters. 

Stripes are always in style with this pumpkin. The 'Lil Pump-Ke-Mon' (Cucurbita pepo) variety has a white base similar to an all-white miniature pumpkin. However, the addition of green and orange stripes running along the deepened grooves of the rind provides more visual interest. This is a fun variety to pair with brightly colored bundles of maize for a harvest cornucopia. At 1 to 2 pounds, a 'Lil Pump-Ke-Mon' pumpkin is small enough to add a bright spark to a shelf or table centerpiece.

A pumpkin that looks like it is almost completely black when it is ready to pick, the 'Black Kat' (Cucurbita pepo) is a hybrid variety. These smaller pumpkins, which grow between 8 ounces and 1 pound, actually reach a very deep shade of green that is almost black. Even the stem has a dark color. Pair this dark-green pumpkin with all-white varieties for a visual contrast. Embrace the dark side a little bit for the fall, whether that's with moody decor featuring skulls and burgundy fabrics or a collection of dark-colored pumpkins for more subdued autumn elegance.

Instead of a plain orange look, 'One Too Many' (Cucurbita maxima) offers an overlay of red-orange on a white pumpkin. The result is a lace-like appearance that is subtle but appealing. The base color can range from a light cream to a dull white, but the vertical strips and smaller veins of red-orange add delightful contrast either way. Give your fall decor a delicate look by accentuating the lacy look with soft pastels and white fabric pieces or ribbon.

You might be feeling a little lucky if you decorate with the 'Triamble' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). An Australian-based heirloom variety with a singular shamrock shape, these pumpkins also have a lovely slate blue hue. Create a farmhouse-inspired display with muted pumpkins, including 'Triamble.' The bluish gray works well with an old galvanized steel tub turned into a planter for a weathered design. Use dried hydrangea heads to add more texture and a little whimsy.

Celebrate the harvest season with a festive pumpkin display courtesy of the 'Carnival' pumpkin (Curcurbita pepo). Shaped like an acorn, this variety is often classified as either an acorn squash or a pumpkin. Patches and dots of light green, dark green, orange, and yellow make these pumpkins particularly special. Placing several smaller 'Carnival' pumpkins is one fall mantel idea that is ridiculously cozy, thanks to the addition of the bright yellow and orange hues. Or pop them in a bowl alongside solid-colored miniature pumpkins, like all-white or all-orange, to showcase the abundance of fall.

Typically weighing less than 1 pound, 'Baby Boo' pumpkins are an all-white variety that are great for tabletops or pot fillers. These cute little pumpkins have a flat look to them and are often no bigger than 3 inches in diameter. 'Baby Boo' pumpkins are from the C. pepo species. Arrange several of these tiny pumpkins in a large pot with some mums or stack them neatly as part of an autumn tablescape for an elegant decor look.

Sometimes called the peanut pumpkin, the 'Galeux d'Eysines' (Cucurbita maxima) pumpkin has a distinct outer skin that forms little bumps that resemble peanuts. A light-colored, pink pumpkin variety, it developed out of Tranzault, France, and is popular for soup and sauces. The texture of this pumpkin, while similar to other bumpy heirlooms, is softened by the lighter color and shiny skin. Use it to complement other fall textures on display, such as dried ornamental grass and pale gourds.

A green-skinned selection with an attractive shape, 'Kabocha' pumpkins are a Japanese variety. Some Japanese heirlooms have been growing for hundreds of years, and all pumpkins are often referred to by this name. However, this specific variety is a C. maxima and has a typical pumpkin shape. Although it's grown for food, the 'Kabocha' cultivar provides a fun dark-green shade to your lineup of ornamental pumpkins. Place these medium-sized, oblong fruits along your porch steps for a long-lasting decorative look that will last all autumn.

Recall the look of the pumpkin that the Fairy Godmother uses to create Cinderella's carriage, and you will recognize this classic French pumpkin variety. The 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes,' which is from the C. maxima species, has a distinct flat look with a round shape and is fit for fairytale royalty. Nowadays, it is known by the name 'Cinderella' pumpkin. It also features a deep red-orange color, very different from the classic orange of most field pumpkins. Its name, translated from French, means "vivid red from Etampes," and it can add a classic, rustic style to your displays.

A pumpkin with a lemon-like appearance, the 'Mellow Yellow' pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) has a large, round shape. This variety is so bright that someone passing by your fall display might think your pumpkins are painted yellow instead of being real. Like its orange counterparts, the 'Mellow Yellow' pumpkin looks nice simply set in an entryway, thanks to its uniform shape. However, consider bringing them up a level by styling them with modern black lanterns. String lights can also help accentuate the bright beauty of these gourds.

You might be surprised to see cool-hued, natural pumpkins, like the 'Crown Prince' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) variety. A larger type of heirloom pumpkin, the lighter blue-grey of the skin is great for decorating a fall display with neutral tones. If you want round, smooth pumpkins for a clean look, these are the pumpkins for you. Instead of the typical autumn display with warm shades, use 'Crown Prince' to create a magical fairy-themed porch with blues, purples, and delicate lighting. Or choose a simpler look with white candles and several frosted glass vases for a pretty indoor decor scene.

A pink variety for the most romantic autumn scenes, enliven your home decor with the pastel pink-orange of the 'Porcelain Doll' pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima). The 'Porcelain Doll' cultivar does not necessarily have the prettiest shape, being lumpy and ridged, but its light pink color makes up for it. You can decorate sweet displays with burgundy and purple mums or add neutral tan, white, and cream-colored pumpkins for a soft, swoon-worthy look.