The largest one of these fruits ever grown weighed over 800 pounds. What fruit is it?

While a weight of over 800 pounds is certainly impressive, the world of competitive giant fruit growing has smashed that record many times over. The current world record for the heaviest pumpkin, and indeed the heaviest fruit ever grown, belongs to a colossal specimen that tipped the scales at a staggering 2,819.3 pounds. This massive fruit was cultivated by twin brothers in the United Kingdom and officially weighed in October 2025. For perspective, that's heavier than many small cars. These giant pumpkins are the result of decades of careful seed selection and meticulous growing techniques, with growers often watering their plants up to 12 times a day.

The reason both "PUMPKIN" and "O.K. SQUASH" are correct is due to their botanical relationship. Pumpkins are technically a type of winter squash. The giant pumpkins grown for competitions are specifically from the *Cucurbita maxima* species, which includes many other varieties of squash. So, while we commonly differentiate them in the grocery store, a giant pumpkin is a type of squash. The dedication of these growers is immense, with some spending over 50 hours a week tending to their plants in pursuit of a new world record.

The competitive circuit for giant vegetable growing is a serious affair, with weigh-offs held around the world. These events attract growers who have spent the entire season nurturing their gourds, hoping to claim the top prize, which can include tens of thousands of dollars. Before the current record, a 2,749-pound pumpkin grown in Minnesota held the title. The rapid increase in record weights, with the 1,000-pound barrier only being broken in the late 1990s, suggests that we may see even larger fruits in the years to come.