How long do pumpkins last?
In the fridge, pumpkins keep for 3 to 5 months from the package date. In the pantry, they keep for 2 to 3 months from the package date.
2 to 3 months
from the package date
3 to 5 months
from the package date
No guideline
Do pumpkins go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, pumpkins may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell pumpkins have gone bad
General signs for produce: fresh vegetables, the group USDA lists pumpkins under.
- Slimy, wet leaves on greens that were crisp before
- Soft or mushy spots on vegetables that were firm
- Sprouting or wrinkled skin on potatoes and onions
- Mould, often white or fuzzy, near the stem or cut end
- Sour or off smell replacing a vegetable's usual earthy scent
More on produce: fresh vegetables. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other produce: fresh vegetables last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.