Melothria scabra

Melothria scabra

Melothria scabra

Melothria
Cucurbitaceae
Tropical Plants
Zone 912
🌱 Beginner Friendly
🍎 Edible

Mexican sour gherkin, also known as cucamelon, is a charming and easy-to-grow vine that produces tiny watermelon-patterned fruits with a refreshing, slightly tart flavor. Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil and provide a light trellis to support the delicate tendrils. It is relatively low-maintenance, tolerates brief dry spells, and produces abundantly throughout the warm season.

Care Requirements

Care Level

Low

Sun

Partial Shade

Water

Moderate

Growth Rate

Moderate

Mature Height

12″ – 36″

Soil

loam

Life Cycle

Perennial

Spacing

18

Watering Schedule

Every 5-7 Days • Water Moderately, Keeping Soil Evenly Moist During Active Growth; Reduce Frequency In Cooler Or Dry Periods

Temperature

60°95°F

Mature Spread

up to 24

Root Depth

Medium

Foliage

Coarse

Propagation: Seed

Ecology & Origin

Native to

Colombia
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico Central
Mexico Northeast
Mexico Northwest
Mexico Southeast
Mexico Southwest
Nicaragua
Panamá
Venezuela

Attracts

🐝 Bees
🐝 Butterflies
Safety & Use
🍎 Edible fruit
🍳 Culinary

Sources

Data: trefle

Image: trefle.io — Taken Jul 27, 2022 by Schnittler Martin (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.