Wax gourd (winter melon) Benincasa hispida
Wax gourd (winter melon) (Benincasa hispida) is an annual vegetable in the Cucurbitaceae family, native to Tropical Southeast Asia. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
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Wax gourd (winter melon) at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–11 weeks after planting, for 10–16 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 130 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: mature fruit (cooked), seeds, young shoots and leaves |
| Native to | Tropical Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Wax gourd (winter melon) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not known to be toxic; the vine is hairy and the fruit is a standard cooked vegetable.
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 Wax gourd (winter melon)
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 Wax gourd (winter melon)
- How far apart should I plant Wax gourd (winter melon)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Wax gourd (winter melon) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wax gourd (winter melon) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wax gourd (winter melon)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Wax gourd (winter melon) flower?
- About 9–11 weeks after planting, for 10–16 weeks.
- Is Wax gourd (winter melon) 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 vine is hairy and the fruit is a standard cooked vegetable.
- What grows well with Wax gourd (winter melon)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wax gourd (winter melon). 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
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Mature fruit develops a waxy bloom and stores for months; a long warm season is needed.
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