trefle.io · Taken Sep 14, 2014 by Thomas Delhotal (cc-by-sa)
Cucurbitaceae
Balsam-apple
Momordica charantia
Also known as Bitter cucumber, Momordica, Wild balsam apple
Tropical Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Bitter Melon · Tropical Vine · Edible Fruit · Medicinal · Cucurbit · Climbing Plant · Warm Climate · Garden Vegetable
Balsam-apple thrives in warm, humid conditions with at least 6 hours of sunlight and consistent moisture. Provide a trellis or support structure as it is a vigorous vining plant. Its bitter fruit is widely used in tropical cuisine and traditional medicine, making it a rewarding edible garden addition.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply until soil is evenly moist, allowing the top inch to dry between waterings · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Temperature
- 60°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 9a-12b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 36 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Fruit
- Yes
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Aruba, Ascension, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Borneo, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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