Nara Melon Plant Care
Acanthosicyos horridus Welw. ex Benth. & Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acanthosicyos horridus is an unusual melon that is endemic to the Namib desert. In English it is known as Nara, butter-nuts, or butterpips; in one of the Khoisan languages it is locally called ǃnaras or ǃnara.
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Nara Melon?
Nara Melon grows best in full sun.
What Is the Nara Melon?
Nara Melon (Acanthosicyos horridus) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Acanthosicyos genus. Nara Melon is native to the Namib desert. Nara Melon is also known as Nara.
Nara Melon displays a low spreading vine growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Nara Melon produces small yellow flowers.
What Light Does the Nara Melon Need?
Nara Melon thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Nara Melon?
Sandy, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Nara Melon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Nara Melon?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Nara Melon?
Nara Melon can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Nara Melon Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Nara Melon, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Nara Melon?
Nara Melon is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Nara Melon is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Acanthosicyos genus — compare its care with other Acanthosicyos species on PlantoScan.
Acanthosicyos is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Nara Melon thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acanthosicyos horridus Welw. ex Benth. & Hook.f., family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Gen. Pl. 1: 824 (1867)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Nara Melon, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Nara Melon Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species