Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or on the patio, melons are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing melons.
For purposes of this discussion, "melons" include watermelon, muskmelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, and most other common melons. These melons share common best growing practices and conditions. This discussion does not include non-melon cucurbits such as cucumbers and squash, which have separate gardening facts pages on our site.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height/Length | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Do Melons Belong To?
Melons belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, also known as the melon family.
Some of their relatives include cucumbers, pumpkins, and zucchini.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Melons?
The minimum container depth recommended for melons is 12 inches.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Melons?
Some of melons' best companions are as follows:
- Chamomile
- Nasturtium
- Oregano
- Corn
- Sorghum
- Radish, kale, and other Brassicas
- Lettuce
- Okra
- Carrot
- Garlic
- Dill
- Mints like peppermint and spearmint
- Tansy
- Marigold
- Sunflower
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Melons?
Melons are not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with melons are as follows:
What Soil Conditions Do Melons Need?
Melons prefer loose, rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
How Long Do Melons Take to Germinate?
Melons take 4-7 days to germinate at a temperature of 65-95°F.
How Much Sun Do Melons Need?
Melons need full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and melons grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need some shade.
How Much Water Do Melons Need?
Melons need 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Melons?
Melons grow fastest in temperatures of 70-90°F.
This is their ideal temperature range. Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by type and variety. Some melons are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Long Do Melon Vines Get?
The average length of melon vines is 5-10 feet.
Are Melons Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Melons are annual, meaning that they start and end their lives in the same year.
How Do Melons Reproduce?
Melons reproduce by seed.
How Many Melons Are Produced Per Plant?
For melons, how many are produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and variety.
Most melons produce 2-4 fruits per vine.
Can Melons Be Ingested?
Melon fruits and flowers are edible. Melon stems, leaves, and shoots are also technically edible, but most people do not find them palatable.
Melon fruits have emollient properties and can be used in herbal preparations. Melon flowers have expectorant and emetic properties and can also be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea (infusions) and lotions.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting melons.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of melons rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for melons here!
Melons are featured in these Plant to Plate articles: