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Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus
Edible value7Medicinal value5Other uses1
annual0.5×3.5 mzone 8–13full sun🍎 Edible

Will it grow where I live?

Watermelon is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Habit
annual
Height
0.5 m
Spread
3.5 m
Growth
very fast
Lifespan
1 year
First yield
after 1 year
Yield per plant
up to 5 kg
Hardiness
zone 8–13
Shade tolerance
full sun
Soil
Sand, Silt
Soil moisture
dry – moist
pH
5.5 – 7

Flowering & harvest

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Fruit harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible7 of 10
Medicinal5 of 10
Other uses1 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Watermelon: how big does it get?

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 0.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 3.5 m. Growth is very fast.

Watermelon: what site does it need?

Watermelon tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Watermelon: is it hardy?

Watermelon is listed as hardy in zone 8–13 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Watermelon: will it grow in Central Europe?

Watermelon is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.

Watermelon: when is it harvested?

In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens from August to September.

Watermelon: when does it start cropping, and how much?

Watermelon crops in its first year. Expect up to 5 kg per plant. Figures assume a good site; variety, soil and climate shift them considerably.

Watermelon: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Watermelon. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Watermelon: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 7/10, Medicinal 5/10, Other uses 1/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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All data without warranty. Site data and texts from the Permaplans database.

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