Cucamelon in Zone 9a & 9b
Melothria scabra
Yes, cucamelon grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Jan 18–Jan 25 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant cucamelon in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Jan 18–Jan 25 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated harvest | May 10–May 17 (~70 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-13.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of cucamelon in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMar 1–Mar 8
- Bush BeansFeb 22–Mar 1
- Sweet CornFeb 22–Mar 1
- CucumberFeb 22–Mar 1
- ZucchiniFeb 22–Mar 1
- Winter SquashFeb 22–Mar 1
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Cucamelon needs about 70 days from transplant to first harvest.
Cucamelon planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Cucamelon in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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