How to Grow Bottle Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Bottle gourd needs a long, warm season — start indoors in April in a heated propagator and plant out only after all frost risk has passed. In the UK, a greenhouse or polytunnel is strongly recommended. Provide a sturdy trellis or arch as vines can reach 5-10m. Flowers open at night and are pollinated by moths — hand-pollinate in the evening if fruit set is poor. Harvest young fruits under 30cm for eating; or leave on the vine until fully mature for ornamental or culinary use. Feed weekly with high-potash fertiliser once fruiting begins.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 5 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 12°C and soil has warmed to at least 18°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser from planting until first flowers appear, then switch to a high-potash feed weekly once fruits start to swell.
- Flowers open at night and are pollinated by moths. Hand-pollinate in the evening if fruit set is poor. Needs a long warm season (120-150 frost-free days) — in the UK, a greenhouse or polytunnel gives the best results. Young fruits are edible as a vegetable; mature fruits can be used as containers or dried for decoration.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 18°C+
- Germination temperature
- 25–30°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 90 cm |
| Row spacing | 150 cm |
| Sow depth | 2.5 cm |
| Mature height | 300 cm |
| Mature spread | 150 cm |
Vigorous climbing vine needing strong support. Can reach 5-10m. Space generously and train onto a sturdy trellis, pergola, or arch.
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 18°C |
| Germination temperature | 25–30°C |
| Base growth temperature | 12°C |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Bottle Gourd?
- Plant Bottle Gourd 90cm apart with 150cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Bottle Gourd?
- Bottle Gourd is ready to harvest approximately 80 days after transplanting.
- Is Bottle Gourd frost hardy?
- Bottle Gourd is classified as Tender.
