What Is the Growing Season for Bitter Melon?

Bitter melon is a summer vegetable.

Bitter melons are members of the cucurbiaceous family. They have rough, green skins which lighten as they age. Bitter melons are extremely bitter, but the bitterness decreases as they mature. Bitter melons grow in warm temperatures so the growing season will depend on your climate.

Growing Climates

Bitter melons originate in southern China and can grow in tropical and more temperate zones. Cool growing zones may not have sufficient heat or a long enough season for bitter melons to do well. Bitter melons can be grown in Florida during the winter months.

Growing Temperatures

A flower of the bitter melon being pollinated.

Bitter melons require a minimum soil temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees Fahrenheit during early growth, although 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for growing bitter melons. Bitter melons will flourish in day time temperatures of 82 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and night temperatures of 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Growing Time

Bitter melons lighten as they age.

From the initial planting to harvest, it takes about 90 days to grow bitter melons.

References

• The Australian Bitter Melon Council; Better Living through Bitter Melons
• Northern Territory Growing Note VG6 Bitter Melons
• Bitter Melon Australia - Bitter Melon and Diabetes

Resources

• Bitter Melon Australia