Plant Care Bitter Apple

Bitter Apple

About Bitter Apple

Momordica charantia is a vigorous, tendril-bearing, frost tender, annual vine of the cucumber family that will grow rapidly to 12-20’ long in a single growing season. Start seed indoors about 4 weeks prior to last spring frost date.

Taxonomy

Momordica charantia
Momordica
Cucurbitaceae
Cucurbitales

Also known as

Bitter Melon, Bitter Melon, Bitter gourd, Bitter squash, Bitter apple, Karela and Balsam-pear

How to care for Bitter Apple

Water

How often to water your Bitter Apple

Water needs for Bitter Apple
0.5 cups
every 9

Bitter Apple needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Bitter Apple

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
Light

Check the growing potential in your area

A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Bitter Melon in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Bitter Apple: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Bitter Apple love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Bitter Apple does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bitter Apple in your home 🏡.

Nutrients

How to fertilize Bitter Apple

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bitter Apple: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bitter Apple after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

FAQs
Difficulty Level

Bitter Apple is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!


Water Needs
Sunlight Needs
Toxicity
Soil
Fertilizer
Growth Pattern
Growing Outdoors
Propagation

Care Summary for Bitter Apple

Bitter Apple

Bitter Apple


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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