Kiwano Plant Care
Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex Schrad.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cucumis metuliferus, also known as the African horned cucumber, horned melon, spiked melon, jelly melon, or kiwano, is an annual vine in the cucumber and melon family Cucurbitaceae. Its fruit has horn-like spines, hence the name "horned melon".
Full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Kiwano?
Kiwano grows best in full sun.
Where Is the Kiwano Native To?
What Is the Kiwano?
Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Cucumis genus. Kiwano is native to Southern Africa, in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Angola. Kiwano is also known as Horned melon, Jelly melon, African horned cucumber.
Kiwano displays a trailing vine growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Kiwano produces yellow, funnel-shaped blooms.
What Light Does the Kiwano Need?
Kiwano thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kiwano?
Well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Kiwano to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Kiwano?
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 Kiwano?
Kiwano can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cucumber plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Kiwano Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Kiwano, 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 Kiwano?
Kiwano is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, squash bugs. 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
Kiwano 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 Cucumis genus — compare its care with other Cucumis species on PlantoScan.
Cucumis is part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family — browse all Cucurbitaceae genera and species.
Kiwano thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Cucumis Species
Other Cucumis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cucumis metuliferus E.Mey. ex Schrad., family Cucurbitaceae (first published in Linnaea 12(4): 406. 1838 [Apr-Sep 1838] , nomen.; et Naud. in Ann. Sc. Nat. Ser. IV. 11: 10 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Kiwano, 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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