How to Store Pumpkins
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If you want to know how to store pumpkins, the main steps are simple: cure the fruit first, keep it cool and fairly dry, and check it often. Extension sources agree that a pumpkin’s storage life depends on how it was handled before it went into storage. A pumpkin with a broken rind or a missing stem will not keep as long as a sound one, even in good conditions. This guide sets out the curing step, the temperature and humidity figures, the handling rules, and how long pumpkins can realistically be held at home.
Quick answer
- Cure the pumpkins for about 10 days at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent relative humidity, according to Iowa State Extension.
- Store whole, unblemished pumpkins at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit with 50 to 70 percent relative humidity.
- Leave 1 to 3 inches of stem on each pumpkin, and never carry a pumpkin by its stem.
- Use bruised fruit first, because damaged pumpkins rot faster. At home, one month is a more typical storage period than the two to three months possible in ideal conditions.
Why curing comes first
Curing is the step that most home guides skip, and it is the one that changes how long a pumpkin lasts. Iowa State Extension recommends curing pumpkins at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent relative humidity for 10 days. Purdue Consumer Horticulture describes the same step as air drying the pumpkins in a warm, humid area for about 10 days so that the rinds have a chance to fully harden.
The goal is a tougher outer skin. A hardened rind is less likely to be penetrated by the bacteria and other microorganisms that cause rot. Iowa State’s guidance is specific about the temperature and humidity, so a warm, damp spot is what the sources have in mind. A cool, dry garage is not a substitute for curing, even though it is a good place for longer storage afterward.
Curing is also the stage where handling matters most. A pumpkin that is dropped or scraped during harvest can develop an opening in the rind during curing. Sort the fruit before curing and set aside any with cuts or soft spots for immediate use.
The right storage temperature and humidity
After curing, the pumpkins need a cooler place. Iowa State Extension states that storage temperatures should be 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The University of Illinois Extension gives a range of 50 to 60 degrees with 50 to 70 percent relative humidity. Purdue gives the same 50 to 60 degree window with a humidity of about 50 to 70 percent. The sources therefore agree on a practical target: a cool room that stays between about 50 and 60 degrees, with humidity in the middle range.
Illinois Extension describes the cool, dark location as the place to store whole, unblemished pumpkins. A basement or unheated room can work if it stays within the range above. The sources do not say how to handle a spot that drops below 50 degrees on cold nights, so choose a location that stays steady and check it with a thermometer.
How to arrange pumpkins in storage
Iowa State Extension advises placing pumpkins in a single layer, with no contact between them. Piling them can generate heat that causes rot, and a single damaged pumpkin in a pile can spread problems to its neighbors. Air circulation also helps. The page says good air circulation helps to prevent moisture from forming on the surfaces of the fruit, and moisture on the rind is one of the conditions that favor decay.
Shelves work well for this. A single layer on a slatted shelf keeps each fruit separate and lets air reach the underside. Avoid stacking pumpkins on top of each other even if space is tight. If space is limited, store the best-quality fruit in the coolest and driest spot and use the rest first.
Handling stems and damaged fruit
The stem is part of the fruit’s protection. Illinois Extension advises looking for a pumpkin with 1 to 3 inches of stem left. Avoid trimming the stem off for decoration before storage. If you need to move a pumpkin, lift it from the bottom. The sources say not to carry a pumpkin by its stem, because the stem can break away and open a path for rot.
Damaged fruit needs separate handling. Illinois Extension notes that if there is any opening in the rind, such as a scratch, microorganisms and other bacteria can enter the pumpkin. Purdue adds that pumpkins that are bruised or otherwise damaged will rot faster, so store only the best-quality fruit. Iowa State Extension says to remove and throw away any pumpkins showing decay.
Iowa State Extension’s instruction to remove decayed pumpkins applies throughout storage, so inspect the fruit regularly and remove any that show decay right away.
How long pumpkins keep
Storage life depends on the variety and the conditions. Illinois Extension states that pumpkins and other winter squash can be stored for two to six months, depending on the variety. Purdue reports that under ideal storage conditions, pumpkins can be held for two to three months, but that considering the usual storage conditions in the home, one month of storage is probably more typical.
The gap between those figures is a useful reminder. Home storage is rarely ideal. A pumpkin kept in a warm room may decline within weeks, while the same pumpkin in a cool, humid-controlled space may last much longer. Plan to use the fruit that has any damage first, and keep the sound pumpkins for the longest holding period.
If you are storing pumpkins mainly for decoration, the same rules apply. A cool spot and careful handling will keep a pumpkin looking good for longer, even if the flesh is not going to be used for cooking. Keep the stem intact and avoid moving the fruit more than necessary.
Seeds from a pumpkin you plan to keep can be saved at the same time. Our how to save pumpkin seeds guide covers that step. For other winter squash, see our how to store butternut squash long term guide.
How we chose these sources
We limited this guide to university extension pages that give practical guidance for home gardeners. Each page was opened and read on 2026-10-27, and only statements that appeared in the fetched text are used here. Search snippets were not used as evidence for any claim. Commercial product pages were excluded, so no product is recommended in this guide.
Where the sources gave different numbers, the guide reports each one with its source instead of picking a single figure silently. The temperature range of 50 to 55 degrees and the range of 50 to 60 degrees both appear in the sources, and the guide notes the difference.
What we could not verify
The sources are regional, and most of their advice assumes a home storage space that is not heated or cooled. A gardener in a very dry or very humid climate may need to adjust the humidity, and the sources do not give a method for doing so. Storage advice also varies by pumpkin variety, and the sources do not list which varieties keep longest.
What the sources do not say
None of the three pages gives a detailed method for checking humidity at home, such as a specific instrument or a home-made test. The sources also do not describe what to do if a pumpkin develops a soft spot partway through storage other than to remove it, so this guide does not add a method.
Frequently asked questions
How long does curing take for pumpkins?
Iowa State Extension recommends curing for 10 days at 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 percent relative humidity. Purdue describes the same step as air drying in a warm, humid area for about 10 days.
What temperature is best for storing pumpkins?
Iowa State Extension gives 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Purdue and Illinois Extension give a range of 50 to 60 degrees, so a steady temperature inside that range is a sound target.
Should I leave the stem on a pumpkin before storing it?
Yes. Illinois Extension advises looking for a pumpkin with 1 to 3 inches of stem left, and it warns against carrying the pumpkin by the stem.
Can I store a pumpkin that has a small scratch?
Illinois Extension warns that any opening in the rind, such as a scratch, lets microorganisms and bacteria enter. Purdue advises storing only the best-quality fruit. Damaged pumpkins should be used first or removed.
How long will pumpkins last in a home?
Illinois Extension says pumpkins can be stored for two to six months depending on the variety. Purdue says one month is more typical in ordinary home storage, even though two to three months is possible under ideal conditions.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “What is the proper way to store pumpkins?” https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-proper-way-store-pumpkins (opened 2026-10-27)
- University of Illinois Extension, “Preserve your pumpkins this fall by following these simple tips” https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/live-well-eat-well/2022-10-14-preserve-your-pumpkins-fall-following-these-simple-tips (opened 2026-10-27)
- Purdue University Consumer Horticulture, Indiana Yard and Garden, “Early pumpkins may need temporary storage” https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/?p=287 (opened 2026-10-27)
