Cucurbitaceae
Prairie gourd
Cucurbita foetidissima
Also known as Coyote gourd, Cucurbita perennis, Cucumis foetidissimus, Cucumis perennis
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Native · Vine · Drought Tolerant · Xeriscape · Prairie · Gourd · Perennial · Wildflower · Fast Growing
Prairie gourd is a tough, drought-adapted native vine that thrives in full sun with minimal supplemental watering once established. Plant it in well-drained soil and give it a sturdy trellis or fence to scramble over, as it spreads vigorously. It is best suited for naturalistic landscapes and xeriscaping rather than formal garden beds.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Deep water occasionally; allow soil to dry completely between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–8.8
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 72 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Germany, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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