Methods and apparatus for efficiently storing data in a variable array (VARRAY) of a database system are disclosed. A method for storing data in a VARRAY having an associated large object segment in a system having a memory and a kernel includes determining a size of data to be inserted into the VARRAY. The method also includes determining when the size of the data is less than a threshold value, and storing the data as inline raw data in a column of the VARRAY that is present in the memory when the size of the data is less than the threshold value. When the size of the data is not less than the threshold value, the data is stored in a large object that is associated with the VARRAY. Further, when a VARRAY type is evolved to have a larger maximum size, existing data is not migrated or transformed.