Cucamelon in Zone 11a & 11b
Melothria scabra
Yes, cucamelon grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Dec 4–Dec 11 and plant out Jan 15–Jan 22.
When to plant cucamelon in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Dec 4–Dec 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Mar 26–Apr 2 (~70 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-13.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of cucamelon in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- Birdhouse GourdJan 15–Jan 22
- JicamaJan 15–Jan 22
- MaukaJan 15–Jan 22
- Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)Jan 15–Jan 22
- Vegetable AmaranthJan 15–Jan 22
Cucamelon is one of the few crops here where the fruit is a novelty and the plant is not. It grows like a small, determined cucumber and it climbs hard.
How cucamelon fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Cucamelon planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Apr 17–Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | Aug 7–Aug 14 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 12–Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 2–Aug 9 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 28–Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 18–Jul 25 |
| 7a & 7b | Mar 13–Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 3–Jul 10 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 17–Jun 24 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 18–Jan 25 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 |
| 10a & 10b | Jan 2–Jan 9 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Dec 4–Dec 11 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Mar 26–Apr 2 |
Harvest dates are about 70 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for cucamelon.
Where to buy cucamelon seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's cucamelon seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing cucamelon" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Cucamelon in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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