Ivy gourd (tindora) Coccinia grandis
Ivy gourd (tindora) (Coccinia grandis) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to Tropical Africa and Asia. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Ivy gourd (tindora) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ivy gourd (tindora) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: young green fruit, young shoots |
| Native to | Tropical Africa and Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
| Invasive in | Hawaii, Australia (northern): check local rules before planting |
Is Ivy gourd (tindora) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Ivy gourd (tindora)
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
Questions about Ivy gourd (tindora)
- How far apart should I plant Ivy gourd (tindora)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft).
- Does Ivy gourd (tindora) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ivy gourd (tindora) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ivy gourd (tindora)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Ivy gourd (tindora) flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks.
- Is Ivy gourd (tindora) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Ivy gourd (tindora)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ivy gourd (tindora). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
Notes and assumptions
- Male and female flowers are on separate plants; grow female cuttings near a male plant.
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