Kiwano

Cucumis metuliferus

annual1.5×3.5 mzone 9–11full sun

Will it grow where I live?

Kiwano 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: 1.5 m
Spread: 3.5 m
Growth: fast
Lifespan: 1 year
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 9–11
Shade tolerance: full sun
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam
Soil moisture: semi-dry – very moist
pH: 5.5 – 7

Uses

Edible3 of 10

Medicinal3 of 10

Other uses1 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Kiwano: how big does it get?

Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 1.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 3.5 m. Growth is fast.

Kiwano: what site does it need?

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

Kiwano: is it hardy?

Kiwano is listed as hardy in zone 9–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Kiwano: will it grow in Central Europe?

Kiwano: is it poisonous?

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

Kiwano: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 1/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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