Regular Pink Banana

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Regular Pink Banana to a garden.

Sink your senses into Regular Pink Banana’s softly blushing flesh—an inviting pink-rose tone that deepens as the fruit matures.

This Pie Pumpkin forms a classic, elongated “banana” silhouette with firm, fine-textured interior flesh, ideal for thick, velvety preparations where its color and richness shine. Grow it for a showpiece harvest that’s as beautiful on the vine as it is satisfying in the pan, with dependable pie-class performance at about 100 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Regular Pink Banana

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Regular Pink Banana 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	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	May 1st	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 1st	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 5th	May 19th	Aug 27th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 1st	May 15th	Aug 23rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Apr 29th	May 13th	Aug 21st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Apr 24th	May 8th	Aug 16th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Apr 20th	May 4th	Aug 12th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Apr 17th	May 1st	Aug 9th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 11th	Apr 25th	Aug 3rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 6th	Apr 20th	Jul 29th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Mar 27th	Apr 10th	Jul 19th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Mar 18th	Apr 1st	Jul 10th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 9th	Mar 23rd	Jul 1st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Feb 20th	Mar 6th	Jun 14th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Jan 26th	Feb 9th	May 20th – 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	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

A pie-class pumpkin with fine, firm interior—when it roasts or steams, it breaks down into a smooth purée instead of watery pulp. That makes Regular Pink Banana especially good for rich, spoon-thick fillings and soups where you want the texture to stay luxurious through heat and reduction.

Best Uses

thick pumpkin purée for silky pie filling
roasting into spoonable wedges that caramelize at the edges
slow-cooked soup or bisque where it turns velvety without thinning

Flavor Profile

sweet, roasted squash flavor dense, fine-grained flesh silky, creamy when cooked down lightly nutty finish

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon nutmeg brown butter sage cream black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Cucurbita maxima (pink banana type), and how do I control it?

Powdery mildew is one of the most common problems on Cucurbita maxima, especially in warm weather with humid nights. Start by spacing plants to improve airflow, water at the soil line (not the leaves), and remove heavily infected leaves early. If it’s spreading, spray a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product and repeat per label directions, focusing on leaf surfaces where it first appears.

How often should I water Cucurbita maxima during the main growing phase to support steady growth?

During active vine growth and bulking (roughly midseason until fruits start to set), keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dries, because inconsistent moisture can reduce fruit size and increase stress. Avoid frequent light watering that keeps the surface wet and encourages mildew.

How can I tell when my Cucurbita maxima (pink banana type) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit skin is fully colored and firm, and the rind resists puncture from a fingernail. The vines and leaves often begin to yellow and die back near maturity (around 100 days), which is a good timing cue. Cut the fruit from the vine with a short stem and cure it in a warm, dry place for about 7–10 days for better keeping.