How to Grow Chayote
Sechium edule
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 12°C and soil has warmed to at least 15°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season once the vine is established.
- The whole fruit is planted — not seeds. Place the entire fruit on its side, half-buried, in a warm spot indoors before the last frost. The entire plant is edible — fruit, shoots, leaves, and tuberous roots.
Companion Planting
—
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Chayote based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 100 cm |
| Row spacing | 150 cm |
| Sow depth | 5 cm |
| Mature height | 400 cm |
| Mature spread | 300 cm |
A very vigorous climbing vine that needs strong support and generous space. One or two plants will easily cover a large trellis or fence.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season once the vine is established.
- Watch for
-
- Powdery mildew
- Aphids
- Spider mites in dry conditions
- Root rot in waterlogged soil
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small insects on new growth and undersides of leaves, sticky residue on leaves
- Strong water spray to dislodge
- Insecticidal soap
- Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings)
- Approved systemic insecticides
Pest Spider Mites
Identification: Fine webbing on leaves, yellowing or stippled foliage, especially in hot dry conditions
- Increase humidity around plants
- Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray
- Remove heavily infested growth
- Miticide spray
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, more common late in the season or in dry conditions
Treatment: Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation
Prevention: Good spacing for airflow, water at soil level, avoid overhead watering
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Wilting despite adequate watering, yellowing leaves, rotting at the base of the stem
Treatment: Improve drainage, reduce watering frequency
Prevention: Ensure free-draining soil, never allow water to pool around roots
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 15°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–30°C |
| Base growth temperature | 12°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | short day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Chayote?
- Plant Chayote 100cm apart with 150cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Chayote?
- Chayote is ready to harvest approximately 120 days after transplanting.
- Is Chayote frost hardy?
- Chayote is classified as Tender.
Plan Chayote in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free