Bitter Melon

Garden Help > Vegetables

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How to grow: UC info isn't available, see the More Links section below

The Basics

Bitter melon is in the cucurbit family and grows on a vine as do other members of this family, such as cucumbers, squash, or melons. Bitter melon is a subtropical plant which will grow best in a warm location with some humidity.

The vines can get over 12 feet long, so a trellis or some other support is needed to keep the fruits off the ground and to promote better growth. Bitter melon can grow in many types of well-draining soil but needs plenty of water.

Bitter melon generally does not attract a lot of pests, but could be attacked by the same insects that attack squash such as cucumber beetles.

When to plant

Direct seeding can be done in spring, April–May
Transplant: April–May

Harvest window:

Bitter melon matures in 50–70 days after seeding, depending on the variety.
Harvest immature fruits before they start to show yellow or orange coloring. Fruits should still be firm and shiny green or light green.
Ripe fruits will change to an orange color and become soft. The seed arils (the spongy covering over the seeds) will turn a bright red when ripe.
Over-ripe fruits will burst open at the bottom and release the light brown seeds covered with red pulp.

Fertilization: After the plants have grown 6 leaves, fertilizer may be added. In most Santa Clara County soils, primarily nitrogen is needed.

Care overview

It is recommended to use a trellis to keep the plant off the ground.
Make sure the soil remains moist down in the root zone.
Harvest fruits often to keep the plant producing.

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