Black-seeded Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus • Cucurbitaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Fruit
🌍 Origin Region
Africa, well-adapted to warm, tropical, and temperate regions globally
📅 Days to Maturity
80-90 days to maturity from direct sowing, slightly faster when transplanted carefully.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11, grown as a warm-season annual everywhere.
About This Seed
Seeds are flat, oval, dark black to brownish-black with a smooth matte texture. The resulting plant is a sprawling vine with deeply lobed leaves, producing large round to oval fruits with striped green rinds and sweet red flesh.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer, start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil warms, tender to frost
Germination
Germinates in 4-10 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-95°F. High germination rate. Requires warmth and moisture, no pre-treatment necessary.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1 inch deep, spaced 3 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart. Prefers rich, well-draining sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.0-6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily). Moderate, consistent watering, reduce watering as fruit ripens. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Good companions include corn, radishes, marigolds, and nasturtiums. Avoid potatoes.
Special Characteristics
Heat-tolerant, loves full sun, produces heavy sweet fruits, attracts pollinators.