Immature fruits are popular in Asian cuisine. They have a similar flavour to cucumber or zucchini. The vigorous climbing vine produce large gourds, which when left to mature can be harvested dry. The fibrous inner core is used to make natural sponges for bathing and household cleaning.

How to Sow Seeds

Method: Pots / Direct sow
Growing notes: Direct sow in final planting position or start indoors in pots. Sow seeds 20mm (1in) deep in good quality soil. Firm down and keep moist. Seedlings appear in 5-20 days. Provide a large climbing trellis or archway. Harvest 14-25 weeks, depending on if you are growing for immature or mature fruit.

Growing Needs

Water requirement: Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Suitable for small spaces: Yes
Suitable for pots / containers: Yes