Snake Gourd.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Annual vine

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

15 to 20 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 12

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Provide a sturdy trellis so the heavy fruits can hang straight and develop properly. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves if the air is too humid or stagnant. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist but never waterlogged to keep the plant productive.

Riego

Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the peak of summer heat.

Abonado

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks to support rapid vine growth.

Poda

Trim back excessive lateral growth to encourage better airflow and fruit production.

Trasplante

This plant is typically grown as an annual in the ground and does not require repotting.

Suelo

Well draining, fertile, loamy soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

60 a 90%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Baja

Longevidad

Annual, typically 1 growing season

Fragancia

Intensa

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Moderada

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though some individuals may experience mild digestive upset if consuming large quantities of raw material.

Niños

The long, dangling fruits may be tempting for children to pull, which can damage the vine.

Alérgenos por contacto

Handling the fuzzy stems and leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

The pollen can trigger mild reactions in those prone to seasonal allergies.

Comestibilidad

Ensure the fruit is harvested while young and tender, as mature fruits become bitter and fibrous.

Cómo identificarla

• Extremely long, slender, snake like fruit
• Deeply lobed, bright green leaves
• Delicate white, fringed, lace like flowers
• Tendrils for climbing support

Altura

2 a 5m

Anchura

1 a 3m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

white, 3 a 5cm

Frutos

green, red, Late summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Powdery mildew — White fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

Spring

Cuidados en invierno

This plant is a tender annual and will die back with the first frost.

En maceta

It grows well in large containers of at least 20 liters with a strong trellis.

Plant near a sturdy support structure to keep the heavy fruits off the ground and prevent rot.

Buenas compañeras

• Maíz — The tall stalks provide a natural trellis for the vines to climb.
• Caléndula — These help deter soil pests that might bother the root system.

Especies parecidas

• Luffa — Shares similar growth habits and requirements as a climbing cucurbit.

Ciencia

Familia

Cucurbitaceae

Género

Trichosanthes

Orden

Cucurbitales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical Asia and Australia

Conservación

This species is widely cultivated and not currently of conservation concern.

This vine thrives in humid, tropical environments by rapidly climbing over vegetation to reach sunlight.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

polillas

Usos

culinary vegetable, traditional medicine, ornamental vine

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How do I know when to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit is still green and firm, usually about 10 to 15 days after flowering.

Can I grow this in a pot?

Yes, provided you use a large container and a sturdy trellis for the vine to climb.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name comes from the Greek words for hair and flower, referring to the fringed petals, while the species name means cucumber-like.

Bueno saberlo

• The fruits can grow up to 1 meter in length.
• It is often called the snake gourd due to its long, coiled shape.
• The plant is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, related to cucumbers and melons.
• In some cultures, the red pulp inside mature fruit is used as a natural dye.