Autumn Squash Cucurbita maxima
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- koo-KER-bih-ta MAKS-ih-muh
- Description
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Winter squash or pumpkin is a warm-season annual vegetable vine in the Cucurbitaceae (cucumber) family native to South America. Cucurbita is Latin for gourd and maxima is Latin for largest, because these plants can produce fruits that are very very large.
This large vine trails along the ground or climbs up structures using tendrils. It has yellow fruit-bearing flowers that are produced in the fall. The fruits have a mild flavor and can be fried, baked, added to pasta, used in soups, and more. Winter squash is an aggressive grower and prefers moderately moist soil with full access to sunlight.
This vine is best suited for large landscapes, but performs well in vegetable gardens, on trellises, and as a cover for exposed soil. It is easily sown from seed, especially when soils are warm. Transplant in late spring, early summer, or after the last frost.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs, aphids, and beetles
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Buttercup'
Buttercup Squash - 'Butternut'
Butternut Squash - 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes'
- 'Turbaniformis'
Turban Squash - var. Banana
Banana Squash - var. Hubbard
Hubbard Squash
- 'Buttercup'
- 'Buttercup', 'Butternut', 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes', 'Turbaniformis', var. Banana, var. Hubbard
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Buttercup'
Buttercup Squash - 'Butternut'
Butternut Squash - 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes'
- 'Turbaniformis'
Turban Squash - var. Banana
Banana Squash - var. Hubbard
Hubbard Squash
- 'Buttercup'
- 'Buttercup', 'Butternut', 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes', 'Turbaniformis', var. Banana, var. Hubbard
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cucurbita
- Species:
- maxima
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and South America
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Vegetable
- Vine
- Warm Season Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Soft or hard-shelled berries called pepos come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and are harvested in the fall. The stems of the fruits generally have a soft corky texture compared to other species.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large, pale to deep yellow flowers. Monecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Rough
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Peltate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large, simple leaves that are often rough and prickly. Alternate arrangement with palmate lobing and venation, although is often only shallowly lobed.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Dark green in color.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
