How to Grow Cucamelons

When you grow cucamelons, you’ll add some extra joy in your garden! They’re fun to grow, prolific and very tasty.

Latin Name: Melothria scabra
Plant Family: Cucurbit (Cucurbitaceae)
Warm-season crop

Did You Know?

Cucamelons look like tiny watermelons and are crunchy with a pleasing hint of lemon. Also known as mouse melons and Mexican sour gherkins, they originated in Mexico and Central America. While cucamelons and cucumbers are in the same plant family, they do not belong to the same genus.

Plant Seeds or Seedlings? Direct-sow seeds in garden or start indoors.

When: Sow directly after all danger of frost has passed or start indoors 6 weeks before the anticipated last frost date.

Days to Germination: 2 to 3 weeks

Depth to Sow: 1/2 inch

Spacing: 4 to 6 inches apart

Days to Maturity: 72

Cultural Information:

As you can see by the days-to-germination information, cucamelons need time to get going. If you live in a cooler climate, I recommend starting them indoors ahead of time. Another option is to make a mini-greenhouse for them in the planting bed. Be aware that birds love those newly-sprouted seeds. I recommend putting a barrier around them, such as bird netting or small pruned branches. Prior to planting outdoors, prepare the bed by adding compost and bonemeal into the top few inches of soil. Cucamelons can be grown vertically on a trellis or obelisk, or allowed to cascade over the edge of a container. They have delicate vines, however, so do not require a sturdy support. Whichever method you choose, make it easy to harvest them. Keep the soil evenly moist but not sopping wet.

At the end of the season, once the foliage has died back, carefully dig below the plants for tubers. Place them into a container of lightly-moistened potting soil and store in a cool, dark location through the winter months. Be sure to lightly water from time to time. In the spring, provide them with fresh potting soil and compost, and move the pot to a well-lit area. Once the danger of frost has passed, plant the tubers and watch them take off.

Potential Insect Problems: Cucamelons rarely have insect problems.

When to Harvest:

Pick cucamelons when they are about an inch long.

How to Cook & Preserve:

Eat cucamelons fresh, by themselves or in salads. You will probably find they’re so tasty, they’ll never make it in from the garden! To preserve the harvest, cucamelons can be pickled in a vinegar solution and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Back to Vegetable Grow Guide Chart

Copyright: Susan Mulvihill, Susan’s in the Garden, SusansintheGarden.com.