🌿 Bitter Melon: Growing Guide
Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 18–38 °C (64–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 100 cm (39 in) apart. Expect 55–65 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Momordica charantia |
|---|---|
| Category | Tropical Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 100 cm (39 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 18–38 °C (64–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 55–65 days |
| Sowing depth | 1 cm (0.4 in) |
| Height | 200–400 cm (79–157 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | ||||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Feb · Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Apr–Jun.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan, Jul–Aug · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Jul · Harvest: Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Mar · Plant out: Apr · Harvest: May–Jun.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering.
Growing tips
Asian cuisine. A strongly bitter, acquired taste.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Bitter Melon: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Jun · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Bitter Melon: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Regular watering.
Bitter Melon: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 100 cm (39 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 1 cm (0.4 in).
Bitter Melon: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 55–65 days.
Bitter Melon: which plants grow well with it?
Corn.
Plan your garden
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