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Calabash

About Calabash

Bottle gourd is an annual, vining member of the squash family that is widely cultivated for its interestingly shaped fruits. The genus name derives from the Greek word, lagenos, for "vase." When dry, the fruits can be used as containers, pipes, rattles and many other uses.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Lagenaria siceraria

Genus

Lagenaria

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Order

Cucurbitales

Also known as

Bottle gourd, Bottle gourd, White-flowered gourd, Long melon, New guinea bean, Tasmania bean and Calabash gourds

How to care for Calabash

💦 Water

How often to water your Calabash

Calabash 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.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Bottle gourd in your home

Calabash love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Calabash does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Calabash

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Calabash: 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 Calabash after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Calabash 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!

How to Grow Bottle gourd →

Benefits of Growing Bottle gourd →

Common Bottle gourd Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Bottle gourd →

💦 Water Needs

Calabash prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Bottle gourd Water Frequency →

Bottle gourd Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Calabash requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Bottle gourd Light Requirements →

Bottle gourd Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Calabash is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Bottle gourd Edible? →

Bottle gourd Toxicity to Cats →

Bottle gourd Toxicity to Dogs →

Bottle gourd Toxicity to Humans →

💩 Fertilizer

Calabash is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Bottle gourd →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Calabash can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Bottle gourd Temperature Tolerance →

Bottle gourd Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Bottle gourd →

When to Plant Bottle gourd →

How to Plant Bottle gourd →

Where to Plant Bottle gourd →

Winter Care for Bottle gourd →

Best Companion Plants for Bottle gourd →

Is Bottle gourd a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Calabash, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.