12 Unusual Squash Varieties to Grow in a Small Garden

Looking for weird and wonderful squash to grow this summer? From unusually colored heirloom varieties and warty pumpkins, to miniature speckled ‘soup bowl’ squash to wow your dinner guests, and everything in between. There are some incredible and unusual squash varieties to choose from if you’re looking to add something different to your vegetable garden.

Choosing an unusual squash variety that suits your space

We’ve included a mix of sizes in our list of unusual squash plants. If you’re creating a vertical vegetable garden, you may decide to grow some of the smaller squash varieties, like mini pumpkins.

Growing squash vertically is a great way to maximize the growing space of your small garden — especially as squash plants can produce wide leaves and long vines.

Here are 12 of the most uncommon and unusual squash varieties you can grow in your mini garden space!

1. Queensland Blue Squash 

With its unusual blue skin and bright orange flesh, the Queensland Blue is a great choice if you’re looking to grow something that’s a bit different. It has a deeply ribbed shape, similar to the Kabocha squash which is a mini pumpkin variety, however, the Queensland Blue is more of a medium-sized squash.

As its name suggests, the Queensland Blue is an Australian heirloom variety. It’s become well known for its firm flesh, which when roasted creates a rich, treacle-like sweetness.

Small to Medium Size, roughly 6-10 lbs.

2. Goosebumps Pumpkin 

An awesome addition to your Halloween decor, the Goosebumps pumpkin has a warty skin texture. While the outside is coated with those scary warts, the inside has deliciously tasty pumpkin flesh that can be cooked into pies or soups.

Medium Size, roughly 6-13 lbs.

3. Banana Squash 

Similar to the popular butternut squash, the Banana Squash is a large winter squash with pale pink, creamy skin. It has an elongated, slightly curved shape which is where the Banana name came from.

They can be intimidating to grow and prepare because of their larger size, but this makes them great for batch cooking or preparing a large Thanksgiving dinner. If you’re growing them in limited space, keep only 1-2 fruits on the vine and remove any extras that you might not have space for.

Large Size, roughly 10-15 lbs (although some have reached 40 lbs!)

4. Sweet Dumpling

An unusual mini squash variety, the mini Sweet Dumpling pumpkin has white skin with a speckled, dark green pattern. It makes a great addition to a Thanksgiving or Halloween display or as a single serving when baked.

Small Size, roughly 0.5-1 lb.

5. Zombie Pumpkin 

Just like the Goosebumps pumpkin, the Zombie pumpkin has fantastic warty skin that’ll add a scary twist to your Halloween decor. It’s slightly smaller in size and has a more classic pumpkin shape compared to the Goosebumps pumpkin.

Small to Medium Size, roughly 6-9 lb.

6. Marina di Chioggia squash 

Don’t let the gnarled green skin of this squash deceive you. Inside you’ll find deliciously sweet orange flesh that’s perfect for sweet pies or for roasting with your favorite seasoning.

Medium to Large Size, roughly 10-12 lbs.

7. Spaghetti Squash 

The Spaghetti Squash makes a fantastic pasta alternative if you’re looking to reduce carbs or calories. When you cut it open you’ll find a tangle of strands that can be lightly cooked and added to any recipes that might call for spaghetti or noodle-style pasta.

Small Size, roughly 2-5 lbs.

8. Loofah Squash (Luffa)

The loofah squash looks like a regular squash, but it has a very unusual use as a garden vegetable. Instead of eating the loofah squash, they are usually grown as a loofah sponge. After the squash develops on the plant, you leave them on the vine to dry, then eventually when they’re brown, you can peel away the skin to expose the lattice of fibers inside.

Medium Size, roughly 3-4 lbs.

9. Tromboncino Squash 

A really unusual summer squash, in more than one way! Most summer squash plants produce growth from a short, central stem, but the tromboncino squash produces a trailing vine. This makes it easy to grow the tromboncino squash in a vertical vegetable garden.

However, the most unusual characteristic of the tromboncino is its shape! The flowers develop into long, trombone-shaped fruits. Tromboncino in Italian translates as little trombone.

Medium Size, roughly 4-6 lbs.

10. Bottle Gourd 

Also known as a Calabash, the bottle gourd is a plant that is grown not only to eat but also to be used as a container! There are many different varieties you can grow, each coming from different locations around the world. In some cultures, they have even been used as musical instruments.

It’s best to grow these squash vertically using a trellis or other form of support. This ensures they have a uniform shape and don’t flatten out on one side.

Various sizes, from small to extra large!

11. Patty Pan Squash 

With their unusual scalloped edges, patty pan squash can add interest and color to your small vegetable garden. They’re usually small in size, which makes them a great crop choice for a small garden. 

Small size, best picked at around 4 inches, depending on the variety.

12. Turban Squash 

An heirloom variety with a highly unusual shape. The turban squash looks like two squash merged together, with a larger bottom and a smaller squash that sits at the top. They will look great growing on a vertical trellis and then added into a Halloween or Thanksgiving display. 

Small to Medium size, roughly 4-6 lbs.

Chosen your favorite unusual squash variety? Whether you’ll grow some scary, warty pumpkins for Halloween or your own eco-friendly loofah, find care tips and tricks in our guide to growing squash vertically in a small garden space.

If you’re looking for more weird and wonderful crops to grow in your small garden, check out these unusual fruits or peas with pretty pods.