Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native
Zimbabwe
Life Cycle
Annual
Plant Height
Vine
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
Attracts Hummingbirds
About Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds
Lagenaria siceraria
Light green gourds have a 10"–12" diameter, round base with narrower neck. Turns tan when dried.
Planting Gourd
Days to Maturity
95–110 Days
Plant Spacing
4 seeds per mound
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Vine
Planting Depth
1"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | 1" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | 4 seeds per mound |
| Thinning | When 3" tall, thin to 3 per mound |
| Germination | 5 – 10 days |
| Start Indoors | 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, recommended for areas with short growing seasons. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°F. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. Some gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds to their characteristics for craft projects. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut stem leading to gourd, leaving 1"– 3" of stem for a handle. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 9 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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Rating
14 reviews
- Rebecca B.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars6/19/26Unbelievable vine
I have never grown anything that grows this fast. I have two good size gourds and many tiny ones. Kept cutting it back before it swallowed other plants. A friend says they are edible at a certain size? There are three bottle gourd plants and one swan gourd. Maybe they are getting extra water from the French drain pipe. Leave room!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests6/24/26Hey Rebecca,
Thank you so much for the fantastic 5-star review! It sounds like your Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds are absolutely thriving - what an incredible growing experience you're having! The vigorous growth you're describing is exactly what makes these gourds so amazing, though it sounds like you're learning firsthand just how much space they need. Your friend is right about the edibility too - young bottle gourds are delicious when harvested small! We love hearing about such successful growing adventures, even when they require some creative management to keep them from taking over the garden. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Heather H.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/29/25Plentiful and Beautiful
The seeds grow into a beautiful vine with gorgeous paper thin white flowers that attract hummingbirds. Several beautiful and sturdy gourds growing . Very plentiful, and going to try and make bird houses out of them .
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/29/25Hey Heather,
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos and experience with our Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds! We're so excited that you're planning to make actual birdhouses out of them - that's going to be such a rewarding project and those birds are going to love their new homes! There's something so special about growing your own functional garden art. We hope you'll share photos the birdhouses. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Linda R.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars2/17/254 Stars
Weather still too cold so haven’t planted them yet. Seeds arrived on time & packing in good condition.
- Andrea H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars1/22/255 Stars
I have never grown these but they intrigue me. Very unique and I appreciate they can be used for a birdhouse.
- Patricia V.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/25/245 Stars
Can't wait to try it again next year!