How long does bitter melon take to grow?

Bitter Melon is ready to harvest in about 70 days, measured from planting.

When to Plant Bitter Melon

Plant bitter melon by your frost dates, not the calendar: start seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then plant outdoors about 2 weeks after your last frost. Pick your USDA zone below for exact dates.

Bitter Melon planting calendar

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Start seeds indoors

Mar 18

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Transplant outdoors

Apr 29

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Projected first harvest

Jul 8

JJan

FFeb

MMar

AApr

MMay

JJun

JJul

AAug

SSep

OOct

NNov

DDec

🌱 Start indoors🌿 Growing outside🌾 HarvestTodayZone 7a — approximate

Bitter Melon is ready to harvest in about 70 days. Dates above use zone 7 as a reference point. Pick your zone below, or set your ZIP in HomeSown for dates tuned to your exact location.

Varieties to grow

1 variety of bitter melon in the HomeSown library. Tap any for its full grow guide.

Bitter Melon →

Common problems with bitter melon

What to watch for, with identification and treatment for each

Pickleworm Squash Bugs Squash Vine Borer Cucumber Beetles Seedcorn Maggot Raccoons Gummy Stem Blight Papaya Ringspot Virus Angular Leaf Spot Blossom-End Rot Fruit Cracking Bacterial Wilt

🌱 Grow bitter melon with a calendar built for your exact yard

HomeSown turns your ZIP code into a personalized planting calendar, watering reminders, and pest help. Free to start.

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When to plant bitter melon in your zone

Zone 3 →Zone 4 →Zone 5 →Zone 6 →Zone 7 →Zone 8 →Zone 9 →Zone 10 →