Cucurbita pepo
autumn pumpkin
This is the original parent plant, from which many cultivars of courgette, summer and winter squash, pumpkins and gourds have been bred. The tender annual plants can be trailing or bushy. They have yellow flowers and both male and female flowers are born on the same plant, the female flowers have a small immature fruit behind the flower. Fruit can be green like courgettes, cream, yellow or orange like pumpkins
Other common names
autumn squashcommon gourd
see morecourgette
field pumpkin
marrow
melon pumpkin
pomion
pumpkin
summer pumpkin
summer squash
vegetable spaghetti
winter squash
yellow-flowered gourd
zucchini
vegetable marrow
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Neutral, Acid, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | Orange Green Cream Yellow | |
| Autumn | Orange Green Cream Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Trailing
- Potentially harmful
- If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Start indoors from mid-late April, sowing in individual pots about 1.5cm deep. Harden off before June then transplant outdoors to final growing position. Keep well-watered throughout the growing season and feed every 10-14 days once fruits start to form. See courgette cultivation for further advice.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.