Bitter Melon
Momordica charantia • Cucurbitaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
Tropical regions of Asia, commonly cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates
📅 Days to Maturity
55-70 days from transplanting or direct sowing to first harvest.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 as a perennial, grown as a warm-season annual in zones 3-8.
About This Seed
Seeds are roughly rectangular or flat with distinctive carved, jagged edges and bumpy, textured surface patterns. The resulting plant is a climbing vine with lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and oblong, warty, edible fruits.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring and Summer, direct sow or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost; intolerant to frost
Germination
Germination takes 8-14 days at 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. High germination rate when soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting to soften the hard seed coat.
Planting Instructions
Plant 0.5 to 1 inch deep, spaced 12-18 inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart. Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily). Needs consistent, moderate watering; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include corn, beans, and radishes. Avoid planting near potatoes.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its distinctive bitter flavor and traditional medicinal uses. Produces vigorous vines that require trellising and are pollinated by insects.