Botanical Interests
Members save $0.44
Not a member? Join today. Sale Sold out25 seeds
Free shipping on orders over $79
Product Details
Product Details
A real conversation piece in the garden and in floral arrangements. Few people will guess what type of plant it is, but everyone loves the cute, little pumpkin-shaped fruits of this 1800s ornamental eggplant. Often added to fresh or dried florist arrangements. Also called 'Red China' or 'Scarlet Chinese' eggplant, the bitter fruits are used in Asian cooking.
Your hardiness zone is
- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 65–70 days after transplanting
Family: Solanaceae
Native: Africa
Hardiness: Annual
Exposure: Full Sun
Bloom Period: Summer
Plant Dimensions: 3'–4' tall, 2'–3' wide
Variety Info: Purple star-shaped flowers followed by 2"–3" green fruits that ripen to an orange-red.
Attributes: Cut Flower, Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 70°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 80°–90°F. Transplant outdoors when the soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Sprouts in: 10–20 days
Plant Seeds (Depth): ¼"
Space Seeds: Start indoors; plant 24"–36" apart outside.
Thinning: Not required.
- Michele B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsFeb 3, 20255 Stars
Great seeds, fast delivery.
- Dottie H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsNov 19, 20235 Stars
Plan on planting in Spring 2024! They are so cute and unique! Can’t wait to see them grow!
- Jenna L.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJul 21, 2026Planted with niece and nephew
We planted these in late June. My niece and nephew-(4 and 7) are loving their little garden. Will post pictures in the fall !
EGEpic GardeningJul 21, 2026Hey Jenna,
We're so happy to hear about your incredible experience with the Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds! It's awesome that you're sharing the gardening adventure with your niece and nephew - there's nothing better than getting kids excited about growing their own plants, especially something as unique and fun as pumpkin on a stick! And we totally get how perfect these are for little gardeners - they're going to be absolutely amazed when those cute mini orange "pumpkins" start showing up! We're so excited for those fall pictures and can't wait to see how thrilled the kids are with their harvest! Thanks for sharing your pumpkin on a stick growing success and for creating such wonderful gardening memories with the little ones! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Debra S.Verified BuyerRated 2 out of 5 starsJul 16, 2026Not as I hoped
I'm a little disappointed. After planting the seeds in the late spring only two plants appeared and they are very slow to grow. I hope they will take off and yield the ornamental fruit before fall. They are supposed to grow into tall vines but are very small plants thus far. Time will tell.
EGEpic GardeningJul 17, 2026Hey Debra,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Kiara B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 8, 2026Germination Rate was slower
I only got a few starts out of the packet, but it was more than enough for my space!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningMay 8, 2026Hey Kiara,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Pumpkin on a Stick Seeds! I really appreciate your honest feedback about the germination rate - this kind of real-world insight is super helpful for us and other gardeners.
It's great to hear that even though germination was slower than expected, you still got more than enough plants for your space! Thank you for sharing your growing experience and for that awesome 5-star rating! Keep on growing 🌻️
