Cucurbita pepo White Pearl – compact white acorn squash

Cucurbita pepo White Pearl is a beautiful, compact acorn squash that stands out for its pure white color and almost round shape. This variety is ideal for gardeners looking for both decorative and culinary uses. The fruits retain their bright white color for a long time, making White Pearl a real eye-catcher both in the garden and on the plate.

Features of White Pearl

White Pearl combines compact growth with excellent fruit quality:

• Almost round acorn pumpkin, pure white in color

• Long lasting colour, ideal for decoration and presentation

• Fruit weight 500–600 g, suitable for individual portions or starters

• Bushy, tendril-less plants, well-organized and easy to grow

• Maturation time approximately 90 days, reliable and predictable

These properties make White Pearl a popular choice for hobby gardens, small gardens and culinary applications where both appearance and taste are important.

Culinary uses – versatile acorn squash

White Pearl is not only decorative, but also suitable for the kitchen:

• Oven-baked, halved and served as a starter

• With maple syrup, a classic preparation in the United States

• Individual portions, thanks to the compact size of 500–600 g

• Creative dishes, such as stuffed acorn pumpkins or salads

The combination of compact size, firm structure and long colour retention makes White Pearl particularly suitable for culinary applications and seasonal presentations.

Shrub-like growth – easy to manage

White Pearl grows as a shrub without tendrils, which makes cultivation manageable and easy to maintain:

• Easy to harvest, because the fruits remain close to the plant

• Easy air circulation, which limits diseases

• Compact cultivation, ideal for pots, raised beds or small gardens

This growth habit makes White Pearl a suitable choice for novice gardeners and anyone who wants a nice, manageable harvest.

Maturation period of approximately 90 days – reliable harvest

With a ripening period of approximately 90 days, White Pearl is a mid-season variety of Cucurbita pepo. The fruits develop evenly and retain their shape, firmness, and color, making them perfect for harvesting in late summer or early autumn.

Cultivation advice for optimal yield

White Pearl grows best in warm, well-drained soil. For successful cultivation, the seeds can be planted in two ways:

• Sow from the end of April, plant out after the last frost

• Sow directly from early May, as soon as the soil temperature is sufficient

For optimal germination, a temperature of 24–30°C is ideal. The seeds should be placed pointed-side down or flat and kept slightly moist, but not wet. After germination, young plants should be placed in a brighter, cooler location to encourage healthy growth.

Planting distance and space requirements

A space of 1 m² per plant is recommended for White Pearl. This provides sufficient space for bushy growth, optimal fruit development, and good air circulation, while enabling efficient use of the available space.