There are many types of watermelon to choose from, each with its own characteristics. Some ripen early, others need more space, and some stand out for their color, size, or flavor.

Watermelons are commonly grouped into six main categories: seeded, seedless, icebox, picnic, mini, and yellow or orange-fleshed varieties. Each type differs in size, appearance, flavor, and intended use.

This guide explains the most common watermelon varieties and the characteristics that make each one unique, making it easier to choose the right watermelon for your garden and table.

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Types of watermelon

The main categories of watermelon differ in size, flesh color, seed content, and in how they’re typically used. Here’s a closer look at the characteristics of each type.

Seeded watermelon varieties

These watermelons are the ones that remind us of our youth.

They come in round shapes and the long, oblong type that is so popular at picnics.
Seeded watermelons range in size from 5 to 45 pounds.
This type can also be part of both the icebox and picnic varieties. The term applies to the fact that they contain seeds.

Seedless watermelon varieties

Seedless watermelons are bred to produce little or no mature seeds while maintaining the same sweet flavor as traditional varieties.

Seedless watermelons are both round and oblong in shape.
They weigh up to 25 pounds.
This type is not truly seedless. You will see white seed coats in the flesh of seedless watermelons, but they are undeveloped and edible.
Seedless watermelons account for about 85% of the watermelons grown today.

Icebox watermelons

As the name suggests, icebox watermelons are named because of their size.

They range from 5 to 15 pounds.
This size makes them the perfect watermelons to keep in the fridge.
The most popular icebox watermelon is Sugar Baby, which grows to about 9 pounds.
Due to their smaller size, icebox watermelons mature earlier than the larger ones.
Icebox watermelons can have red, pink, yellow, or orange flesh.

Picnic watermelons

If you are planning to feed a crowd, get a picnic watermelon. These big guys weigh between 15 and 50 pounds. This is the watermelon most of us remember from our childhoods.

Picnic watermelons are generally oval-shaped, with a bright green rind and deep red flesh.
Some common varieties of picnic watermelon are: Charleston Gray (30 pounds), Crimson Sweet (30 pounds), and Black Diamond (up to 75 pounds).
Picnic watermelons have long maturity times because of their size.

Fun fact: The heaviest watermelon weighs in at around 350 pounds and holds a record in the Guinness Book of World Records. Now that’s quite a picnic!

Miniature watermelons

Standard watermelons require quite a bit of gardening space because of the spreading nature of their vines. Miniature watermelons can be grown in much smaller backyards.

Mini watermelons are round in shape.
They range from 1 pound to 7 pounds.
The rinds are dark green with light green stripes, and the shape is either round or slightly elongated.
Mini watermelons are seedless.
Miniature watermelons are sweet, crisp, and very juicy.
Their flesh runs from pale pink to deep red.

Funf act: These small watermelons are perfect for times when just one or two of you plan to indulge.

Yellow and orange flesh watermelons

When you cut into these watermelons, you will discover flesh that ranges from yellow to orange in color. This commercial variety originated in Africa.

These watermelons have a sweeter flavor, which is quite honey-like compared to melons with red flesh.
The nutritional benefits of yellow and orange-fleshed watermelons are similar to those of red-fleshed melons.
These colorful watermelons are round in shape and can range in size from 10 to 30 pounds.
They can be both seed and seedless types.
Common types of yellow or orange watermelons are Golden Honey, Tender Sweet, and Yellow Doll.

Sizes and shapes of watermelons

Most of us think of watermelons as being oblong-shaped with bright red flesh and seeds, but watermelons can have light pink, yellow, or even orange flesh. And it doesn’t stop there!

There are heart-shaped watermelons and square Japanese watermelons.
These unusual shapes are made by placing the fruit into watermelon molds.
As they mature, they adapt the shape of the box.
The sizes of shaped watermelons can vary. ranging from small miniature varieties to monsters that weigh over 200 pounds and win medals at the state fair.

Watermelon colors

The colors of watermelon rinds also vary.

There is a dark green type with lighter stripes on the rind.
Others reverse this combination to a light rind with dark stripes.
Watermelons with yellow rinds are always a surprise to find.
The colors of watermelon flesh vary, from reddish-pink flesh with black seeds, to pale yellow, peach, pink, and deep red flesh.

How to tell when a watermelon is ripe

To check if a watermelon is ripe, look for these features:

The rind should appear dull rather than shiny.
A ripe watermelon will feel heavy for its size.
The tendril nearest the fruit is often brown and dry.
Give it a tap; a deep, hollow sound is generally preferred.
As the plant approaches the time for harvesting, the underbelly will change from green to a creamy yellow color.

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Admin note: This post about the types of watermelon first appeared on the blog in August of 2012. I have updated the post with more info on the types of watermelons, new photos, some useful growing tips, a printable, and a video for you to enjoy.

Yield: 1 watermelon ripeness printable

Printable - How to Choose a Ripe Watermelon

Print out this chart and keep it in your garden journal so that you know when to harvest your watermelon or how to choose a ripe one at the store.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

Computer Paper

Tools

Computer
Printer

Instructions

Load your paper into your printer.
Using the print function on this card will give you a watermelon ripeness printable that fills about ¾ of an 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper.
Choose portrait layout and, if possible, "fit to page" (or 125%) in your settings.
Please note that creating free printables can be a time-consuming process.
This watermelon ripeness printable is for personal use only. If you are sharing it (and thank you for that!), please link directly to this post, rather than to the actual image. We appreciate your help in supporting the site.
This printable may not be used for any retail purpose or for mass distribution.

Notes

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Mahbub Anam

Tuesday 15th of September 2020

It's a nice and precise write-up. There are many types and maybe a few hundred thousands of commercial names of watermelon around the world. To simplify the types, could we say at the first segregation 3(Three) types: 1. CRIMSON SWEET(all stripes) 2. CHARLESTON GRAY(all light green) and 3.SUGAR BABY(all black or deep-dark green)? Then it may go Round, High round, Oblong, Square, Deep Stripe, Light Stripe, etc.