What are the sun requirements for Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty'?

Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty' is Black Beauty zucchini, a bush-type summer squash annual growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) wide. Glossy dark green (nearly black) cylindrical fruit 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) diameter, maturing in 45-55 days from seed. Bright yellow trumpet-shaped monoecious flowers 3-4 inches (7-10 cm). Dark green deeply lobed leaves with silver-white vein mottling. In the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). Open-pollinated (AAS 1957). Monoecious: male flowers appear 7-10 days before the first female flowers — no fruit set during this initial male-only phase. Requires bee pollination. One of the most prolific summer squash cultivars: a single plant can produce 6-10 pounds (2.7-4.5 kg) per season. The flowers are also edible (stuffed squash blossoms). Harvest every 2-3 days at 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) — overripe fruit left on the plant reduces new fruit production. The prickly stem hairs cause skin irritation — wear gloves when harvesting. Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae), squash bugs (Anasa tristis), and powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) are the primary threats. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic (edible crop). Native. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Open-pollinated cultivar (AAS 1957). The species C. pepo is native to Mexico and the southern United States.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens, raised beds, and containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Bush type — no trellis. Prolific (6-10 lbs / 2.7-4.5 kg per plant). Edible flowers. Open-pollinated — save seeds. Native. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by glossy dark green (nearly black) cylindrical zucchini fruit on a compact bush plant with large deeply lobed silver-mottled leaves and yellow trumpet flowers. The dark skin color distinguishes Black Beauty from green and yellow zucchini cultivars. In Cucurbitaceae. Native.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Summer to fall (July-October). Bright yellow trumpet-shaped monoecious flowers. Male flowers appear 7-10 days before female flowers. Requires bee pollination. Fruit 45-55 days from seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright yellow, trumpet-shaped, 3-4 inches (7-10 cm); monoecious (separate male and female flowers); male flowers on longer stems, female flowers with a miniature fruit at the base

Foliage Description

Dark green with silver-white mottling along the veins; large, deeply lobed (palmate), 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) across; rough-textured with prickly hairs on stems

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

45-55 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Rich moist soil pH 6.0-7.0. Requires bee pollination. Harvest every 2-3 days at 6-8 inches (15-20 cm). Overripe fruit reduces new production. Prickly stems — wear gloves. Squash vine borer, squash bugs, and powdery mildew. Not deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Tender annual.

Pruning

Remove damaged or yellowed leaves for air circulation. No vine pruning on bush types. Harvest fruit every 2-3 days. Remove lower leaves touching soil in humid conditions to reduce powdery mildew.

Pruning Schedule

summer