Chayote Sechium edule
Chayote (Sechium edule) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to Mexico and Central America. It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Chayote in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chayote at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–6.8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 29–40 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (cooked), seed, young shoots, tuberous roots (cooked) |
| Native to | Mexico and Central America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Chayote toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not known to be toxic; the sap can irritate sensitive skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chayote
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Cucurbits (squash family): Cucurbits share powdery mildew, cucumber beetles and mosaic viruses; good airflow and spacing reduce spread. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew spreads between cucurbits in warm, dry weather. Evidence C
Questions about Chayote
- How far apart should I plant Chayote?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Chayote need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chayote need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Chayote?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Chayote flower?
- About 29–40 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Chayote poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be toxic; the sap can irritate sensitive skin.
- What grows well with Chayote?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Chayote. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Grown by planting the whole sprouted fruit; a vigorous perennial vine that dies back to a hardy root where frost occurs. Flowers form under short days, so fruit comes in autumn.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cucumber Cucumis sativus
- Zucchini (courgette) Cucurbita pepo
- Pumpkin Cucurbita maxima / C. pepo
- Watermelon Citrullus lanatus
- Muskmelon (cantaloupe) Cucumis melo
- Butternut squash Cucurbita moschata
- Bitter melon Momordica charantia
- Luffa (sponge gourd) Luffa aegyptiaca