Trendy and adorable vegetable crop, cucamelons, is set to top everyone's gardening list for 2026. Learn how to cultivate this mini watermelon cucumber hybrid.
Growing Cucamelons: A Guide for Gardeners
Cucamelons, also known as Mexican sour gherkins or mouse melons, are small watermelon-like fruits with a citrussy, cucumber-like flavor. These unique plants are gaining popularity among gardeners, and for good reason. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to grow these delightful fruits.
Growing Conditions
Cucamelon plants prefer a soil type that is fertile and well-draining. Organic matter such as homemade compost or well-rotted manure should be incorporated into the planting site ahead of time. These vining plants need supports or a trellis to grow vertically, which offers many benefits. A container will need a trellis or supports added for the vines to climb, or you can get a planter box with an attached trellis.
Growing Location
Cucamelons thrive in sun and warmth, similar to cucumbers. They should be grown in a spot where they can get six to eight hours of daily sunlight. In smaller spaces, cucamelons can be grown in containers on a patio, deck, or porch, with a container at least 12 inches wide.
Sowing and Transplanting
Cucamelon seeds can be purchased from True Leaf Market. To sow seeds indoors, they should be planted half an inch deep in pots filled with a quality potting mix, and kept in a warm place with temperatures of 70-80oF. Cucamelon seedlings should be transplanted into the garden after the last frost date in spring, once they reach six inches tall, and should be hardened off before putting them in their final planting spot.
Watering and Feeding
Ideal watering for cucamelons is consistently moist soil, with at least one inch of water per week. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose is an ideal way to keep the foliage dry and provide a steady stream of water to the root zone. Cucamelons in pots will require more watering and feeding than plants in the ground, including feeding with a high potassium feed every two weeks once the plants start flowering.
Harvesting
Harvest cucamelons by snipping them with a pair of clean and sharp pruning shears or garden snips, while ripe fruits should also simply twist off the vine.
Growing in Cooler Climates
Cucamelon seeds need warmth to germinate and can be sown outdoors about a week after the average last frost date, or indoors a few weeks before the last frosts in cooler climates. In cooler climates, it's recommended to start the seeds indoors and transplant them outdoors once the weather warms up.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing plants is key to getting the best harvest. Starting with boosting the soil with compost before planting, followed by a dose of balanced slow-release fertilizer a few weeks after, is a good practice. Once the plants start flowering, switch to a liquid high-potassium feed to help develop and ripen fruits.
Perennials or Annuals
Cucamelons can be perennials in US hardiness zones 9-11, though they are commonly grown as annuals.
A Word from an Expert
Ashleigh Smith, the Managing Editor at True Leaf Market, recommends sowing cucamelon seeds and provides tips for growing them.
Health Benefits
Cucamelons can be eaten raw or cooked and are full of vitamins and antioxidants.
Successful Growing in Southern Germany
Cucamelons can be successfully grown in southern Germany by sowing seeds indoors from April or earlier, as they need about three weeks to germinate; transplant them outside after the risk of frost has passed into fertile, well-drained soil with full sun exposure, and provide support for their climbing vines.
Avoid Overwatering
Avoid overwatering plants, as cucamelons dislike waterlogged soil.
Spacing
Cucamelon plants should be spaced around a foot apart.
With these tips, you're well on your way to growing your own cucamelons. Enjoy the unique flavour and health benefits of these tiny fruits!
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