Cucurbita maxima

Cucurbita maxima — the squash species behind giant pumpkins and the sweetest winter storers (Hubbard, buttercup, kabocha), domesticated in South America. The keeping squash of our gourds and squash range.

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  • Pumpkin Atlantic Giant seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Atlantic Giant (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Atlantic Giant Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual Vegetable
    €4,95

    Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds for impressive vines pumpkin atlantic giant seeds are a classic choice for gardeners who want an eye-catching, large-fruited pumpkin for the annual vegetable garden. This Atlantic Giant pumpkin variety is known...
  • Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – vegetable Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Winter (Cucurbita maxima) – vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Marina Di Chioggia Pumpkin Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Winter Variety
    €4,95

    Marina Di Chioggia pumpkin seeds for gardens marina di chioggia pumpkin seeds produce a distinctive Italian heirloom winter squash known for its green-grey, warty rind and broad, flattened, ribbed shape. This is a late season...
  • Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €3,96€4,95

    Decorative orange winter squash for home gardens pumpkin uchiki kuri seeds produce a compact, decorative orange-red winter squash often associated with the Hokkaido type. This annual vining vegetable is grown as a fruiting crop in...
  • Pumpkin Berrettina seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Berrettina (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Pumpkin Berrettina Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual Variety
    €3,96€4,95

    Distinctive grey pumpkin for kitchen and display Pumpkin berrettina seeds produce a distinctive annual pumpkin vine with medium to large fruits that stand out for their flattened, strongly ribbed shape and characterful, bumpy surface. This...
  • Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri Red seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri Red (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri Red Kuri Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €3,96€4,95

    Ornamental winter squash with rich orange colour pumpkin uchiki kuri seeds are a popular choice for gardeners who want a decorative, orange-red winter squash with a classic Hokkaido look. This annual vining squash variety develops...
  • Pumpkin Sweet Mama F1 seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Sweet Mama F1 (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Pumpkin Sweet Mama F1 Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €5,56€6,95

    Sweet, compact pumpkins with rich yellow flesh pumpkin sweet mama f1 seeds are a reliable choice for gardeners who want a uniform, F1 hybrid pumpkin variety with attractive fruits and a classic winter squash character....
  • Round Padana Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Round Padana Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    20%
    Round Padana Pumpkin Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual Variety
    €3,96€4,95

    Round, ribbed winter squash for warm gardens round padana pumpkin seeds produce an annual pumpkin plant known for its distinctive, deeply ribbed, round fruits that mature to an attractive orange tone. This tonda padana pumpkin...
  • Pumpkin Baby Bear seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Baby Bear (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Baby Bear Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Baby Bear pumpkin for decorative garden displays pumpkin baby bear seeds produce a compact, round, orange pumpkin with a lightly wrinkled rind and an attractive, classic seasonal look. This baby bear pumpkin variety is valued...
  • Pumpkin Marina Di Chioggia seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Marina Di Chioggia (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Marina Di Chioggia Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Italian heirloom pumpkin with striking ribbed skin pumpkin marina di chioggia seeds produce a traditional Italian heirloom known for its deeply ribbed, dark green exterior and rounded form. This ribbed green pumpkin variety matures into...
  • Pumpkin Rouge Vif Detampes seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Rouge Vif Detampes (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Rouge Vif Detampes Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Classic French pumpkin for autumn gardens pumpkin rouge vif detampes seeds are a traditional choice for gardeners who want a distinctive, old-style pumpkin with strong ornamental appeal. This rouge vif detampes pumpkin variety is known...
  • Pumpkin Golden Hubbard seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Golden Hubbard (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Golden Hubbard Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual Variety
    €4,95

    Golden Hubbard pumpkin for bold autumn color pumpkin golden hubbard seeds produce a striking, medium-to-large winter squash with a bright orange to red-orange skin and a distinctive ribbed, slightly wrinkled surface. This classic Cucurbita maxima...
  • Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Uchiki Kuri Seeds Organic Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Organic Uchiki Kuri Pumpkin For Kitchen Gardens pumpkin uchiki kuri seeds are an organic vegetable choice for gardeners who want a distinctive Hokkaido-type winter squash with strong ornamental appeal. This annual vining squash produces eye-catching...
  • Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes Seeds Organic Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Organic heirloom pumpkin for garden and kitchen pumpkin rouge vif d'etampes seeds are an organic vegetable seed choice for gardeners who want a classic French-style, flattened pumpkin with a distinctive ribbed shape. This is an...
  • Pumpkin Atlantic Giant seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Atlantic Giant (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Atlantic Giant Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual Variety
    €4,95

    Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds for impressive vines pumpkin atlantic giant seeds are an annual vegetable variety selected for producing exceptionally large pumpkins under good garden conditions. This classic vining pumpkin variety develops vigorous runners and...
  • Pumpkin Amoro F1 seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable Pumpkin Amoro F1 (Cucurbita maxima) – organic annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Amoro F1 Seeds Organic Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €5,95

    Organic F1 pumpkin with distinctive heart shape pumpkin amoro f1 seeds are an organic choice for gardeners looking for a reliable annual pumpkin plant with standout looks. This orange pumpkin variety is known for its...
  • Pumpkin Jaune De Paris seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Jaune De Paris (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Jaune De Paris Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,45

    Classic giant pumpkin for sunny gardens pumpkin jaune de paris seeds produce a well-known, impressively large pumpkin type valued for its substantial fruits and traditional garden presence. This annual vegetable belongs to Cucurbita maxima and...
  • Pumpkin Yellow seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Yellow (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Yellow Annual Variety
    €4,95

    Yellow annual pumpkin variety for spacious gardens pumpkin seeds from Cucurbita maxima produce a vigorous, annual vining vegetable suited to open beds and larger plots. This is a classic giant pumpkin variety known for developing...
  • Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'etampes Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,45

    Classic French pumpkin for kitchen and display pumpkin rouge vif d'etampes seeds are a traditional choice for gardeners who want a characterful, old-style pumpkin with strong visual appeal. Often referred to as the rouge vif...
  • Pumpkin Hubbard Blue seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable Pumpkin Hubbard Blue (Cucurbita maxima) – annual vegetable seeds from SeedsChoice
    Pumpkin Hubbard Blue Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €4,95

    Distinctive blue winter squash for gardens pumpkin hubbard blue seeds produce an annual, vigorous vining squash with large fruits and a distinctive blue-grey rind. This Cucurbita maxima hubbard variety is popular in specialty and ornamental...
  • Wintersquash Sweet Mama F1 seeds (Cucurbita maxima) – annual Wintersquash Sweet Mama F1 (Cucurbita maxima) – annual seeds from SeedsChoice
    Wintersquash Sweet Mama F1 Seeds Cucurbita Maxima Annual
    €6,95

    Sweet winter squash with compact fruits wintersquash sweet mama f1 seeds are a reliable choice for gardeners looking for a flavorful, vining winter squash variety for the vegetable garden. This sweet mama f1 winter squash...
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Cucurbita maxima — giant pumpkins and winter squash

Cucurbita maxima is the squash species that produces the largest, sweetest fruit of all — giant pumpkins, Hubbard, buttercup, kabocha and crown prince among them. It anchors the storing side of our gourds and squash range, our winter squash and many pumpkins.

History & origin

Unlike its cousin Cucurbita pepo, this species was domesticated in South America, in the region of Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, where its wild ancestor still grows. From the Andes it spread through the Americas and, after European contact, around the globe. Cucurbita maxima includes the record-breaking giant pumpkins that can weigh hundreds of kilograms — the heaviest fruit ever grown by gardeners.

The species name says it plainly: maxima means “the largest.”

Botanical characteristics

These are large, trailing vines with soft, rounded stems and big, dense fruit prized for sweet, deep-coloured flesh and excellent storage. The group is known for fine eating squash as well as show-stopping giants, and the fruit keeps for months once cured. It sits alongside the related Cucurbita pepo and Cucurbita moschata in the wider squash family.

Growing Cucurbita maxima from seed

Give these hungry plants a long, warm season: start indoors in pots and plant out after frost into very rich soil, then water and feed generously through summer. For the biggest fruit, limit each plant to just a few squash. Let them ripen hard and cure in the sun before storing somewhere cool and dry. Our vegetable sowing calendar and harvesting guide cover timing and storage.

Ready to grow winter squash? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Winter Squash · Pumpkin · Gourds & Squash · Cucurbita pepo · Cucurbita moschata

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cucurbita maxima?
The squash species behind giant pumpkins and many of the sweetest winter storing squash.

Where does it originate?
From South America, around Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

What does the name mean?
Maxima means “the largest” — the species includes record giant pumpkins.

How is it different from pepo?
Maxima and moschata are grown to ripen hard and store; pepo gives most of the soft summer types.

How do I grow it?
Give it a long warm season in very rich soil, limit fruit per plant for size, and cure for storage.