About
Cyclanthera pedata is a vigorous annual vine that can reach heights of over 3 meters, utilizing tendrils for support. Its leaves can span up to 20 centimeters and are segmented into five to ten elongated, pointed lobes. The plant produces panicles of male flowers that measure between 10 and 20 centimeters in length, with individual flowers about 5 millimeters wide, appearing in a greenish-white hue. Female flowers are solitary and similarly colored. After flowering, the plant bears green fruits ranging from 5 to 15 centimeters long, which are edible. These fruits can be consumed raw when young or cooked after removing the seeds when they mature.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a glasshouse in medium humidity and bright, filtered light, or outdoors after all risk of frost has passed, in a warm sheltered position, in sun or light shade, in humus-rich, water-retentive, gritty, free-draining compost or soil, and provide support such as trellis or netting
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in spring, and plant seedlings out when all danger of frost has passed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free