Last edited on October 16, 2026. View history

Cucamelon

Also known as mouse melon (en) Mexican sour gherkin (en) cucamelon (en) Mexican miniature watermelon (en) Mexican sour cucumber (en)

How to sow cucamelon: Direct seed indoors, transplant seedlings outside after hardening off

Sun requirement for cucamelon: Plant in Full Sun

Cucamelon, or Mexican Sour Gherkin, is a member of the Cucurbit family native to Mexico and Central America. The vine produces small, grape-sized fruit that look like little watermelons and taste like cucumbers with a tinge of lime. Cucamelon is very cold sensitive and takes longer to germinate than other cucurbits - up to 4 weeks. Vines grow slowly at first, but can get to 3m long and benefit from trellising. Fruit should be harvested when it is 2.5-3cm - it can get seedy if allowed to grow larger. The plant is self-pollinating and more drought-tolerant than other cucurbits. Cucamelon can be added to salads, salsas, and stir-fries, or pickled.

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Growstuff is a free, community-run site for people who grow food. Keep track of what you plant and harvest, find seeds to swap, and see what is growing near you. Join to record your own cucamelons.