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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Cucumis melo is a ANNUAL CLIMBER growing to 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - raw[1, 2, 46, 105]. Very watery but with a delicate flavour, it is very refreshing. Rich in vitamins B and C[201]. The flesh of the fruit can be dried, ground into a powder and used with cereals when making bread, biscuits etc[257]. The size of the fruit varies widely between cultivars but is up to 10cm long and 7cm wide[200]. Seed - raw[57, 86, 105]. Rich in oil with a nutty flavour but very fiddly to use because the seed is small and covered with a fibrous coat[K]. The seed contains between 12.5 - 39.1% oil[218]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[105, 183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antitussive Digestive Diuretic Emetic Expectorant Febrifuge Stomachic Vermifuge

The fruits can be used as a cooling light cleanser or moisturiser for the skin[201]. They are also used as a first aid treatment for burns and abrasions[201]. The flowers are expectorant and emetic[218]. The fruit is stomachic[218]. The seed is antitussive, digestive, febrifuge and vermifuge[218]. When used as a vermifuge, the whole seed complete with the seed coat is ground into a fine flour, then made into an emulsion with water and eaten. It is then necessary to take a purge in order to expel the tapeworms or other parasites from the body[7]. The root is diuretic and emetic[218].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a warm, very sunny position[200]. A frost-tender annual plant, the melon is widely cultivated in gardens and commercially, especially in warmer climates than Britain, for its edible fruit. Some varieties may succeed outdoors in Britain in hot summers but in general it is best to grow melons under protection in this country[1, 200]. This is a very variable species that has long been cultivated for its edible fruit. As a result, a number of distinct forms have arisen and there are many named varieties within each of these forms[1, 46, 183]. These forms have been classified by botanists into groups as detailed below. Each of these groups has been given a separate entry in the database. C. melo agrestis. A wild form of the melon. It is not usually grown for its fruit but is of potential value in breeding programmes. C. melo cantalupensis. The cantaloupe or netted melons. C. melo chito. The orange melon. This form occasionally escapes from cultivation and is naturalized in some tropical and sub-tropical areas. C. melo conomon. The pickling or sweet melon. This form is also of value in breeding programmes for disease resistance. C. melo flexuosus. The serpent melon. C. melo inodorus. The honeydew melon. C. melo momordica. The snap melon. This form is also of value in breeding programmes for pest and disease resistance. Grows well with corn and sunflowers but dislikes potatoes[20, 201]. The weeds fat hen and sow thistle improve the growth and cropping of melons[201].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a greenhouse in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin out to the best plant. Grow them on fast and plant out after the last expected frosts, giving them cloche or frame protection for at least their first few weeks if you are trying them outdoors.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Armenian cucumber, Dudaim melon, Cantalope, Queen Anne's melon, Muskmelon, Snake cucumber, Akobokobo, Akolil, Atimon, Blewah, Bluwak, Budamakaya, Chiratu, Chukkangai, Itimon, Kaachri, Kachri, Karitu, Kayimbe, Kharbuja, Kharbujadosa, Kharmuj, Kothimdu, Luwinbe, Madhupaka, Milon, Mpombe, Mulampazham, Musk-melon, Putzakova, Sane, Semangka londo, Syrian cucumber, Taena-thai, Teeng laay, Thumattikai, Trasak srow.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China, Iran, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen,Oman. TROPICAL ASIA: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, PACIFIC: United States, Guam, Tonga, Samoa AUSTRALASIA: Australia AFRICA: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Tanzania, Uganda, Benin, Côte D Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Seychelles.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Invasive in Arizona and California and potentially other locations with similar climates.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Cucumis anguria	Gherkin, West Indian gherkin	Annual Climber	2.4	9-11	LMH	N	M	3	1	0
Cucumis melo agrestis	Wild Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	3	2
Cucumis melo cantalupensis	Cantaloupe Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2
Cucumis melo chito	Orange Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	3	2
Cucumis melo conomon	Pickling Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2
Cucumis melo flexuosus	Serpent Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2
Cucumis melo inodorus	Honeydew Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2
Cucumis melo momordica	Snap Melon	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2
Cucumis metuliferus	Horned Cucumber, African horned cucumber	Annual Climber	1.5	9-11	LMH	N	M	2	2	1
Cucumis sativus	Cucumber, Garden cucumber	Annual Climber	2.0	9-11	LMH	N	M	4	2	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Cucumis melo - L.