-
CATEGORY ::
- All Seeds /
- All Fruit & Vegetable Seed
Mouse Melon
About...
Mouse Melon (Melothria Scabra) - If you are looking for an unusual fruit known as a cucurbit, then Melothria scabra fits that bill. This herbaceous climber in the cucumber family is grown for its tiny edible fruit that looks just like a miniature striped watermelon.MORE FRUIT & VEGETABLE OPTIONS
Flower Specifications
SEASON
Perennial
USDA ZONES
9 - 11
HEIGHT
6 - 12 inches
BLOOM SEASON
Late spring to mid summer
BLOOM COLOR
Yellow
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
SOIL TYPE
Neutral, well drained, loamy soil
LATIN NAME
Melothria Scabra
Mouse Melon (Melothria Scabra) - If you are looking for an unusual fruit known as a cucurbit, then Melothria scabra fits that bill. This herbaceous climber in the cucumber family is grown for its tiny edible fruit that looks just like a miniature striped watermelon. This unusual plant has been given many different common names including: mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican sour cucumber and cucumelon. No matter what name you want to call this edible fruit, it truly is unusual.
The plants look very similar to cucumber plants, but just slightly smaller in size. Melothria Scabra is a fast-growing tender tropical perennial, it is easily grown as an annual in temperate climates.
The edible small melons can be eaten raw, used in stir fries, or pickled like cucumbers. The young, tender fruits are best for eating raw, while the older fruits with more developed seeds are better for pickling. Mouse melon is as easy to grow as regular cucumbers and does best in humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Start the seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the average last frost and plant outside 9-12 inches apart at the same time regular cucumbers would be planted, or direct sow after last frost. Most seeds should germinate within 10 days when temperatures are around 70F and the seeds are kept continually moist.