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 Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Light green gourds have a 10"–12" diameter, round base with narrower neck. Turns tan when dried.
Planting Gourd
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: 8 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
Which best describes you as a gardener?
13 reviews
- 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!
- SharonVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars5/9/225 Stars
First time growing gourds. Super tough and hardy! Produced flowers in multiple waves when the temp was in the 80's and 90's. Did not show any signs of stress in 100 degree plus weather. Grew on a trellis as well as on the corner of a raised bed. I have around twenty of them from two plants. Some have completely dried and some are curing still in the carport. This variety has thick leaves and the aphids hardly bothered it unlike some of the other gourds I grew. Tip: best to cut off watering several weeks before harvesting or let them hang out on the vine to partially dry.