Red Gourd Plant Care

Red Gourd (Lagenaria rufa) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family within the Lagenaria genus. Red Gourd is native to Western Africa.

Red Gourd displays a vining, sprawling growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Red Gourd produces large yellow funnel-shaped blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Gourd every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Red Gourd thrives in full sun.

Lagenaria rufa tolerates temperatures of 70–90°F. Red Gourd prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Red Gourd to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Gourd every 3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Gourd is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Red Gourd can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Red Gourd while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Red Gourd is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Red Gourd can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to short-flowered bottle gourd plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Red Gourd is susceptible to aphids, squash bugs, cucumber beetles. 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.

Red Gourd grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Red Gourd is native to Western Africa. In cooler regions, grow Red Gourd as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.