CINDERELLA (ROUGE VIF D’ETAMPES)
Best heirloom pumpkin for home bakers and autumn garden displays.
Discover the enchanting Cinderella (Rouge Vif d'Etampes) pumpkin seeds, a beloved French heirloom. This variety, with its captivating glowing orange hue, distinct lobes, and flattened top, evokes a fairytale charm. Its rich, orange flesh is perfect for creating delicious pies and savory culinary creations. These vigorous vines produce up to six substantial pumpkins, each reaching up to 15 inches in diameter, making them a stunning focal point for any autumn harvest display.
$4.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
270
/ 5887
#270 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-53%
Below average
Days to Maturity
110
/ days
Who it's for
- Decorators seeking eye-catching centerpieces for seasonal holiday displays
- Home cooks wanting versatile squash for baking and savory recipes
- Gardeners looking to preserve their harvest throughout the winter months
Who should skip it
- Urban gardeners with limited space or short growing seasons
- Beginners unable to commit to regular pest monitoring and management
- Individuals preferring lightweight produce that is easy to transport
Performance breakdown
Culinary Versatility
Rich, dense flesh excels in both sweet pies and savory dishes.
Visual Appeal
Iconic fairytale shape and vibrant color make for stunning seasonal displays.
Growth Vigor
Strong, productive vines reliably yield up to six substantial pumpkins.
Cultivation Difficulty
Requires consistent moisture and careful pest management for optimal harvest results.
Storage Longevity
Firm rinds allow for decent shelf life when stored under ideal conditions.
Pollinator Impact
Flowering vines provide a significant draw for essential garden pollinators.
Key Specs
Days to Maturity
110 days
Botanical Name
Cucurbita maxima
Culture Notes
Plant after frost danger when soil warms to 65°F. Work in compost and fertilizer into the hill. Keep soil evenly moist but not wet.
Transplanting
Start indoors 3-4 weeks prior in 4-inch pots and transplant carefully.
Pests & Diseases
Common pests include Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and stink bugs. Common diseases include wilts, leaf spots, mildews, and viral diseases. Prevention includes 3-4 year crop rotation.
Harvest & Storage
Leave on vine until fully mature; rinds should be firm. Store at 55-70°F and 70% relative humidity.
Soil Temp for Germ
65–85°F
Seed Depth
1"
Features
- Heirloom variety from France
- Produces large fruit up to 15 inches across
- Ideal for pies and savory dishes
- Vigorous vining growth habit
- Yields up to 6 fruit per plant
- Distinctive glowing orange color
- Flattened top with pronounced lobes
What customers say
The Cinderella Rouge Vif d'Etampes pumpkin is highly valued for its dual purpose: stunning ornamental appeal and superior culinary quality. Growers consistently praise its vivid reddish orange color and classic flattened shape, making it perfect for displays. Beyond looks, the flavor is a major highlight. Customers report the flesh is dense, sweet, and excellent for baking, noting it surpasses many standard varieties. The variety also shows strong performance with excellent germination and vigorous growth leading to high yields. While it requires ample space, the trade-off is long term storage capability. This reliable heirloom is strongly recommended for its consistent beauty and exceptional taste.
Know before you buy
Each vigorous vine typically yields up to six pumpkins, provided they are given adequate space and nutrients.
While their unique shape and color make them excellent for autumn displays, they are also highly prized for their rich, orange flesh, which is ideal for pies and savory culinary dishes.
No, this variety is not container-friendly. Due to their vigorous vining growth habit and the size of the fruit, they require significant garden space with 3–4 feet of spacing between plants.
Plant in full sun after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 65°F. Because they have high fertilizer and water needs, incorporating compost into the soil and maintaining consistent moisture is essential for healthy growth.
Leave the fruit on the vine until they are fully mature and the rinds feel firm to the touch. Once harvested, they store best in a cool, dry environment between 55–70°F.
The most effective preventative measure is a 3–4 year crop rotation to break the cycle of soil-borne diseases. Keep a close watch for common pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs throughout the growing season.
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