© John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Momordica spp.
Overview
Momordica spp. is a genus of roughly 60 annual and perennial climbing vines in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to tropical Africa and Asia. Plants climb by coiling tendrils to 6-16 feet (2-5 m) in a season, with thin stems and palmately lobed leaves 2-5 inches (5-12 cm) wide. The yellow, five-petaled flowers are unisexual, with separate male and female blooms on the same plant, opening through the warm months. Pollinated female flowers develop into warty, ridged fruits that ripen from green to yellow or orange and split open to expose seeds wrapped in a bright red, fleshy coat. Momordica charantia, bitter melon, is grown widely as a vegetable and medicinal crop, its unripe fruit eaten cooked. The genus is frost-tender and grown as a warm-season annual outside the tropics. The ripe red seed coat and mature seeds contain compounds that can cause stomach upset if eaten.
Native Range
Momordica spp. is native to the tropics of Africa and Asia, where species grow in warm, humid lowlands, forest edges, and disturbed ground. Momordica charantia is now cultivated and naturalized across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Grown on trellises, fences, and arbors as an edible warm-season vine and for its ridged fruit. Used in vegetable gardens for bitter melon harvests and in container culture with a support frame. Also grown in tropical and Asian cuisine gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 16'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering begins several weeks after sowing and continues through the warm season, roughly June to September in temperate gardens and much of the year in the tropics. Male flowers usually open before females. Fruit follows quickly on pollinated vines.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun on fertile, moist, well-drained soil with support such as a trellis or fence for the climbing stems. Warm temperatures above about 60F (15C) are needed for steady growth, and plants are killed by frost. Regular water and feeding sustain continuous flowering and fruiting. In temperate regions, seed is started indoors and set out after the last frost as a warm-season annual. Pollination of female flowers by insects, or by hand where pollinators are scarce, sets the fruit. Powdery mildew and cucumber beetles can affect the foliage.Pruning
Pinch growing tips to encourage branching and more female flowers. Train stems onto support as they lengthen. Remove old or diseased foliage during the season to improve airflow.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons
⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to humansPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
transplant
Indoor Start
4 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow Timing
Late spring after the last frost, once soil is warm
Days to Maturity
55–90 days
Plant Spacing
18 inches