As a popular fall crop pumpkins are an iconic part of many backyard gardens. But their distinctive leaves can sometimes be mistaken for weeds by novice gardeners. To help avoid confusion, let’s look at some common weeds that resemble pumpkin leaves so you can accurately identify what’s growing in your garden.
Key Characteristics of Pumpkin Leaves
Pumpkin leaves have some telltale features that set them apart from lookalikes:
- Large, triangular leaves up to 1 foot wide with 5-7 pointed lobes
- Alternate leaf arrangement on hairy, prickly stems
- Dark green color on top and pale green below
- Coarse texture with shallow cracks
- Distinct sweet, earthy pumpkin aroma when crushed
Weed Lookalikes to Watch Out For
Several common weeds share similarities with pumpkin leaves that can cause confusion
Burdock
- Oval leaves with wavy, crinkled edges
- Woolly underside and reddish stems
- Taproot grows deep into soil
- Considered an invasive weed in many areas
Common Mallow
- Round, lobed leaves up to 4 inches wide
- Notched leaf tips with rounded teeth
- Hairy stems and leaves
- Shallow root system spreads by seeds
Prickly Lettuce
- Lance-shaped leaves extend up stalk
- Fuzzy, gray-green color with prickles on midrib
- Oozes white latex sap when broken
- Grows as a rosette and bolt-shaped flower stalk
Common Ragweed
- Deeply lobed leaves like oak leaves
- Branched, upright growth to 3 feet tall
- Leaf undersides densely hairy
- Notorious allergy-triggering pollen
Velvetleaf
- Large, heart-shaped, velvety leaves
- Pointed leaf tips with prominent veins
- Coarse hairs on stems and leaves
- Funnel-shaped yellow flowers
Wild Cucumber
- Sharply lobed leaves like maple leaves
- Look nearly identical to pumpkin early on
- Climbing vines with tendrils
- Produces prickly green fruit
Tips for Positive Identification
When an unknown plant appears in your pumpkin patch, use these tips to correctly identify it:
- Compare leaf shape, texture, arrangement and other details against known pumpkin leaves
- Crush a leaf and smell for the distinctive sweet, earthy pumpkin scent
- Look for other identifying marks like flowers, fruits, sap, and growth habit
- Monitor the plant’s growth and note any changes over time
- Consult gardening references or experts to confirm ID if unsure
You can get rid of pumpkin leaf lookalikes before they spread seeds or roots if you catch them early. With careful attention and the right tools, you can keep your pumpkin patch free of weeds and make sure that no one thinks your pumpkins are weeds.
Common Questions About Pumpkin Leaf Identification
What other plants look like pumpkin plants?
Also known as mock tomato, pumpkin tree or pumpkin bush, Solanum integrifolium is actually a type of eggplant grown for its ornamental characteristics. Botanically, it’s in the nightshade family along with tomato, potato, peppers and eggplant.
How do you identify pumpkin leaves?
Pumpkin leaves are large and can vary in shape and size, often featuring either a tri-lobed form or a rounded, lilypad-like, pinnate structure. These leaves measure between 18 and 25 centimeters in diameter. They grow on hollow stems with curly tendrils and often have serrated edges.
What do pumpkin seedling leaves look like?
The first leaves appearing on the seedling are tiny oval-shaped leaves resembling a bean sprout.
Are pumpkin plants spiky?
Pumpkin vines are often prickly, so wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting to keep from itching.
What leaves look like a pumpkin?
Zucchini – before flowering and producing fruit, zucchini leaves have a similar shape and color to those found on pumpkin plants.
Watermelon – leaves look very similar to those on pumpkin plants. Their leaves are large and dark green, sprouting from long stems that creep on the ground.
Cantaloupe – looks similar to pumpkin.
What are the best types of pumpkin seeds to buy?
Pumpkin seeds without the shell, also called pepitas, are the best to eat. They are naked; they don’t have a cream-colored shell on top of them. They contain healthy fats, protein, and minerals. Always avoid salted pumpkin seeds.
Correctly identifying plants is an important skill for any gardener. With pumpkin leaves being so iconic, it’s easy to mistake lookalike weeds for the real thing. By learning the key features of pumpkin plants and keeping an eye out for common imposters, you can ensure your fall pumpkin patch remains healthy and weed-free. Happy growing!
SERIES 21 | Episode 17
Nadine asks: This is supposed to be a pumpkin but its really little. Can you tell me what happened?.
Colin answers: Well it is a pumpkin! Its the small swelling that grows at the base of the female flower, and its one way of distinguishing the female flowers from the male flowers. Another way to distinguish them is by their height. Male flowers are produced on a much longer stem and have a lot of yellow pollen in them. The problem with your pumpkin is that the female flower wasnt pollinated so the pumpkin hasnt formed properly.
I suggest checking to see that the plant has both male and female flowers. When there is only one type of flower, it is not possible to make the opposite type of flower grow. But if your plant does have both sexes, pick the male flower and rub the centre of it onto the female flower to transfer the pollen and this should ensure your plant grows pumpkins!.
Diane asks: I have all these weeds in my Sir Walter buffalo lawn. Id like to know how to treat them without ruining the lawn.
Jerry answers: You have two weeds. The first is a native Euphorbia. Its Euphorbia drummondii, a flat grey weed with a waxy leaf, which makes it difficult to control. The other weed is Creeping Oxalis which many people have a problem with.
The first thing your lawn needs is a quick fix. In a watering can, mix equal proportions of white vinegar and water, and add a drop of dishwashing detergent. Water the mixture over the weeds and it will kill them. However, weeds are an indication that the lawn needs feeding, is being mowed too short, and that the soil is too acidic. To overcome the acidity problem, add some lime at the recommended rate. I also suggest putting down about a handful of chicken manure and blood and bone per square meter. The grass will soon be so thick and green that it will beat the weeds, and you won’t have to worry about them.