Snake gourd

Trichosanthes cucumerina

annual4×7.5 mzone 9–12full sun

Will it grow where I live?

Snake gourd is grown as an annual in temperate climates: sow or plant out after the last frost, harvest until the first autumn frost. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

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: 4 m
Spread: 7.5 m
Growth: medium
Lifespan: 1 year
First yield: after 1 year
Hardiness: zone 9–12
Shade tolerance: full sun
Soil: Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture: semi-dry – very moist
pH: 6 – 7.5

Uses

Medicinal3 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Snake gourd: how big does it get?

Snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) grows as a annual and reaches roughly 4 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 7.5 m. Growth is medium.

Snake gourd: what site does it need?

Snake gourd tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 6 and 7.5.

Snake gourd: is it hardy?

Snake gourd is listed as hardy in zone 9–12 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Snake gourd: will it grow in Central Europe?

Snake gourd: is it poisonous?

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

Snake gourd: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 3/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

Growing it? Write in the app what works for you – your post will show up here.

💬 Get the app and join in

Plan this plant into your own garden

Permaplans plans your garden to scale on the map — with a site check, harvest calendar and over 1,000 plants. Free for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows & Linux.

Get the app for free

Will this plant grow where you live? → Check your site