Winter Melon Plant Care
Benincasa hispida Cogn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Benincasa hispida, the wax gourd, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, winter melon, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin, dongah or Chinese preserving melon, is a species of vine.
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Winter Melon?
Winter Melon grows best in full sun.
What Is the Winter Melon?
Winter Melon (Benincasa hispida) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Benincasa genus. Winter Melon is also known as Ash Gourd, Wax Gourd, Chinese Preserving Melon.
Winter Melon displays a vining growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Winter Melon produces large yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.
What Light Does the Winter Melon Need?
Winter Melon thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Winter Melon?
Rich, well-draining loamy soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Winter Melon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Winter Melon?
Repot annually in 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 Winter Melon?
Winter Melon can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winter melon plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Winter Melon Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Winter 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 Winter Melon?
Winter Melon is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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
Winter 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 Benincasa genus — compare its care with other Benincasa species on PlantoScan.
Benincasa is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Winter 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: Benincasa hispida Cogn., family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Monogr. Phan. [A.DC. & C.DC.] 3: 513. 1881 [Jun 1881]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Winter 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.
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