Jack-O'-Lantern

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Jack-O'-Lantern to a garden.

Sink your senses into Jack-O’-Lantern’s luminous, lantern-bright fruit—an unmistakable warm orange glow that seems to radiate from the garden.

The flesh is thick and velvety, with a pleasantly sweet, mellow flavor and a sturdy, roast-ready texture that holds its shape beautifully. Grow it for standout centerpiece pumpkins, plus dependable performance for hearty autumn favorites like roasting, purees, and spiced preserves.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Jack-O'-Lantern

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Jack-O'-Lantern Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	May 18th	Jun 8th	Sep 11th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 8th	May 29th	Sep 1st – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 8th	May 29th	Sep 1st – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 12th	Jun 2nd	Sep 5th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 8th	May 29th	Sep 1st – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	May 6th	May 27th	Aug 30th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	May 1st	May 22nd	Aug 25th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 27th	May 18th	Aug 21st – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 24th	May 15th	Aug 18th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 18th	May 9th	Aug 12th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 13th	May 4th	Aug 7th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Apr 3rd	Apr 24th	Jul 28th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 25th	Apr 15th	Jul 19th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 16th	Apr 6th	Jul 10th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 27th	Mar 20th	Jun 23rd – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Feb 2nd	Feb 23rd	May 29th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Jack-O’-Lantern’s thick, velvety flesh roasts up firm and sweet, so it purées dense and spoon-coating instead of watery. It’s the kind of pumpkin that plays nicely with warm spices and brown butter—built for custard, pie, and deep, reduced soups where texture matters.

Best Uses

roasting until the edges caramelize, then scooping for thick purée
spiced pumpkin custards and silky pies (holds body without thinning)
thick soup or velouté—puree it and reduce for a spoon-coating consistency
spiced preserves or butter-style spreads for toast and biscuits

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow pumpkin flesh velvety, dense roast texture toasty, caramel-leaning squash aroma gentle earthy finish

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon ginger nutmeg cloves brown butter maple syrup

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cucurbita pepo (Jack-O'-Lantern) and how can I stop it?

Cucurbita pepo often gets powdery mildew (a white, dusty coating on leaves) in humid or crowded plantings. Improve airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily infected leaves early, then spray a labeled horticultural sulfur product when symptoms first appear. Water at the base in the morning to keep leaf surfaces drier, and avoid letting vines sprawl in damp, shaded corners.

How often should I water Cucurbita pepo during its main growing phase?

During active vine and fruit growth, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the roots when the top 1 inch of soil (2–3 cm) starts to dry, because Cucurbita pepo forms most of its yield from consistent moisture. Stop frequent light watering late in the season; once the fruit has fully colored, let the soil dry slightly between waterings to reduce rot risk.

How do I tell when Cucurbita pepo Jack-O'-Lantern pumpkins are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the skin is hard and fully colored (no green left), and the rind resists puncturing with a fingernail. The stem should be starting to dry and turn brown, and the pumpkin should sound hollow when tapped gently. Cut with sharp pruners leaving 2–3 inches of stem attached to help it store well.