When you think of fall decorations, you likely picture pumpkins. Choosing the right types of pumpkins for fall decorations can make your porch, mantel, or table look amazing. Not every pumpkin is created equal for this purpose. Some are perfect for carving, others are ideal for painting, and many are simply meant to be admired in their natural, beautiful state. This guide will help you pick the best ones for your autumn display.
Types Of Pumpkins – For Fall Decorations
This main category includes all the pumpkins you’ll use for visual appeal. They range from tiny to massive, smooth to warty, and orange to white. Let’s break them down.
Classic Carving Pumpkins
These are the pumpkins you probably know best. They are the workhorses of Halloween.
- Howden: The classic orange pumpkin. It’s big, round, and has a strong stem. The flesh is thick but the inside cavity is nice and hollow, making it easier to carve.
- Autumn Gold: These turn a deep orange very early in the season. They have a uniform shape and are a reliable choice if you’re decorating in late September.
- Gladiator: Known for its strong handle-like stem and deep ribbing. It’s a sturdy pumpkin that holds its shape well, even after being carved.
Remember, for carving, you want a pumpkin that feels firm, has a flat bottom so it doesn’t roll, and has a stem that’s intact. A damaged stem can cause the whole pumpkin to rot faster.
Ornamental & “Fairytale” Pumpkins
These pumpkins are grown more for their looks than their pie-making potential. Their unique shapes and colors add instant character.
- Cinderella (Rouge Vif d’Etampes): This is the pumpkin that looks like Cinderella’s coach. It’s deeply ribbed, flattened, and has a rich reddish-orange hue. It’s stunning on a front step.
- Jarrahdale: A beautiful blue-gray pumpkin with deep ribs. Its unusual color provides a elegant contrast to traditional orange decor.
- Marina di Chioggia: This one is knobby, bumpy, and a sea-green color. It looks ancient and magical, perfect for a rustic or whimsical theme.
White Pumpkins
White pumpkins have become incredibly popular for their modern, sophisticated look. They work with any color scheme.
- Lumina: A ghostly white pumpkin with smooth skin. It’s excellent for painting or etching designs onto, as the white surface makes colors pop.
- Casper: Similar to Lumina but often a bit smaller. They have a pure white skin that can sometimes have a slight orange blush.
- Baby Boo: These are tiny, pure white pumpkins. They’re perfect for filling bowls, lining walkways, or using in centerpieces.
White pumpkins can sunburn if left in direct, harsh sunlight for too long. A little shade is good for them.
Miniature & Specialty Pumpkins
Don’t overlook the small guys! They add layers and texture to your displays.
- Jack Be Little: Tiny, orange, and perfectly ribbed mini pumpkins. You can fit a dozen in a basket.
- Munchkin: Similar to Jack Be Little, often with a slightly flatter shape. Great for crafting.
- Wee-B-Little: A cute, small orange pumpkin that’s just the right size for a child to hold.
These mini pumpkins last a long time. You can often use them from October straight through to Thanksgiving if you keep them indoors.
Warty & Gourd-Like Pumpkins
For a spooky or extra-textured look, these are your go-to choices. The “warts” are actually natural cork-like growths.
- Knuckle Head: Covered in large, dark warts on a orange background. It’s a real statement-maker for Halloween.
- Galeux d’Eysines: A peanut-shell covered pumpkin with a salmon-pink skin. The warts are actually sweet and edible, but it’s mostly used for decoration.
- Queensland Blue: While not super warty, it has a tough, bumpy blue-green skin that adds great texture.
The warts on these pumpkins are fragile. Handle them gently to avoid knocking off those unique features.
How to Choose the Best Decorative Pumpkins
Picking a pumpkin isn’t just about color. Follow these steps to ensure your decorations last.
- Check for Firmness: Gently press the pumpkin with your thumb. It should feel solid. Avoid any with soft spots, which indicate rot.
- Inspect the Stem: A green, firmly attached stem is a sign of a freshly harvested pumpkin. A missing or brittle stem can lead to quicker decay.
- Look at the Bottom: Turn it over. The bottom should be flat for stability and free of cracks or large bruises.
- Consider the Skin: The skin should be fully colored (no large green patches) and have a hard finish. A shiny skin often means it was picked too early.
Making Your Pumpkins Last All Season
You want your beautiful display to survive through Thanksgiving. Here’s how to extend their life.
- Avoid Moisture: Keep them on a dry surface like a porch mat or a wooden bench. Don’t let them sit in puddles.
- Protect from Frost: A light frost won’t hurt, but a hard freeze will turn them to mush. If a deep freeze is coming, move them inside a garage or shed overnight.
- Clean Gently: Wipe them down with a soft cloth dampened with a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) to kill surface mold spores. Dry them thoroughly.
- Skip the Carve: If you want them to last the longest, don’t carve them. Instead, paint them or use markers to draw faces. Carved pumpkins only last about a week.
If you do carve, spray the inside and cut edges with a commercial pumpkin preservative or a light coating of petroleum jelly to slow down drying and mold.
Creative Display Ideas
Now for the fun part: putting it all together. Mix and match different types of pumpkins for fall decorations to create visual interest.
The Porch Stair Display
Line your steps with pumpkins of varying sizes and colors. Place the largest at the bottom and work your way up with smaller ones. Add a few pots of purple pansies or ornamental kale for extra color.
The Rustic Wheelbarrow
Fill an old wheelbarrow or wooden crate with a mix of Cinderella, Jarrahdale, and Knuckle Head pumpkins. Tuck in some dried corn stalks and wheat for height.
The Elegant Centerpiece
Use a mix of white Lumina pumpkins, miniature Baby Boos, and perhaps one small blue Jarrahdale. Arrange them on a tray with some fall leaves, pinecones, and unscented candles. It’s simple and chic.
Don’t be afraid to bring your pumpkins indoors. They make excellent non-perishable decor for mantels, side tables, and bookshelves. Just be sure they are clean and dry first.
FAQ About Decorative Pumpkins
What are the best pumpkins for painting?
Smooth-skinned pumpkins are best. White pumpkins like Lumina provide a perfect canvas, but smooth orange varieties like Howden also work great. Just make sure the surface is clean and dry.
How long do uncarved pumpkins last outside?
With proper care and mild weather, uncarved pumpkins can last 8 to 12 weeks. Protecting them from extreme wetness and hard freezes is key to there longevity.
Can you eat decorative pumpkins?
You can, but you probably wouldn’t want to. Ornamental and fairytale pumpkins are often stringy, watery, or bland compared to sugar pie pumpkins. They’re bred for looks, not flavor.
What do you do with pumpkins after fall?
Compost them if you can. Remove any paint, wax, or candles first. You can also chop them up and leave them in a wooded area for wildlife to eat, but check local regulations first. Never just send them to the landfill.
Where is a good place to buy unique pumpkin varieties?
Local farmers’ markets and pumpkin patches are you’re best bet for finding unusual types like Galeux d’Eysines or Marina di Chioggia. Big box stores usually stick to the common carving varieties.
Choosing the right types of pumpkins for fall decorations is all about matching their unique qualities to your vision. Whether you love the classic orange, the modern white, or the wonderfully warty, there’s a pumpkin out there to make your autumn display perfect. With a little care in selection and maintenance, you’ll enjoy them from the first crisp day until the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone.