Cucurbitaceae
Benincasa fistulosa
Benincasa fistulosa
Also known as Praecitrullus fistulosus, Citrullus fistulosus, Citrullus vulgaris var. fistulosus, Colocynthis citrullus var. fistulosus
Tropical Plants · Edibles & Herbs · Native Plants · Benincasa · Tropical Vine · Cucurbit · Gourd · Warm Season · Trellis · Vegetable · Africa · South Asia · Rare
Benincasa fistulosa is a tropical cucurbit vine suited to warm climates with rich, well-draining soil and ample sunlight. Provide a strong trellis for support and water consistently throughout the growing season to encourage healthy vine and fruit development. This species is relatively uncommon in Western horticulture but is cultivated across parts of Africa and South Asia.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 7 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to keep soil evenly moist; ensure good drainage to prevent root rot · 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
- 48 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Ghana, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle
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