Annual gourd

Annual gourd

Trichosanthes cucumerina

Trichosanthes
Cucurbitaceae
Tropical Plants
Zone 912

Annual gourd is a fast-growing tropical vine best grown on a sturdy trellis in warm, sunny conditions with regular watering and rich, well-draining soil. It produces distinctive long, twisted fruits and ornate white flowers that attract pollinators, especially moths at dusk. Harvest young fruits for cooking, as mature fruits become bitter and are used for medicinal or ornamental purposes.

Care Requirements

Care Level

Moderate

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Growth Rate

Moderate

Mature Height

12″ – 36″

Soil

loam

Life Cycle

Perennial

Spacing

36

Watering Schedule

Every 5-7 Days • Water Deeply And Consistently To Keep Soil Moist; Mulch Around The Base To Retain Moisture During Dry Spells

Temperature

60°95°F

Mature Spread

up to 24

Root Depth

Medium

Foliage

Coarse

Propagation: Seed

Ecology & Origin

Native to

Andaman Is.
Assam
Bangladesh
Benin
Cambodia
Cameroon
Caroline Is.
China South-Central
China Southeast
Comoros
East Himalaya
Gabon
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
India
Ivory Coast
Jawa
Laccadive Is.
Leeward Is.
Lesser Sunda Is.

Attracts

🐝 Bees
🐝 Butterflies
🐝 Moths
Safety & Use
🍳 Culinary
⚕ Medicinal

Sources

Data: trefle

Image: trefle.io — Taken May 21, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Hardiness Zones
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Available From (0)

No nurseries currently have this species in stock.