Cucurbita ficifolia

RHS Plant Profile

fig-leaf gourd

Other common names

cidra, Malabar gourd, shark-fin melon, sidra, zambo

Annual Biennial Fruit Edible

A vigorous and productive species of climbing/trailing squash, reaching a height of up to 10m, with attractive fig-leaf shaped green foliage. The fruits are oval in shape and green with white mottling. They look stunning when grown over an archway or trellis. The fruits are edible at any stage and can be used to make soups and curries. Stores well. Sow in spring for harvesting summer to autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Climbing, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Americas

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in rich, fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Start indoors from mid-late April, sowing in individual pots with seeds on their side about 1.5cm deep. Harden off before June then transplant outdoors to final growing position. Requires plenty of room to grow. See pumpkin cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews