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Fig-Leaf Gourd

Also known as

fig-leaf gourd, Malabar gourd, black seed squash and cidra

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Cucurbita ficifolia

Genus

Cucurbita

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Order

Cucurbitales

How to care for Fig-Leaf Gourd

💦 Water

How often to water your Fig-Leaf Gourd

Fig-Leaf Gourd 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 Fig-Leaf Gourd in your home

Fig-Leaf Gourd love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Fig-Leaf Gourd does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Fig-Leaf Gourd in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fig-Leaf Gourd

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

Browse #FigLeafGourd

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Fig-Leaf Gourd 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.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fig-Leaf Gourd 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 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fig-Leaf Gourd 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.

💨 Humidity

Fig-Leaf Gourd doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

🪴 Soil

Fig-Leaf Gourd does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Fig-Leaf Gourd should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Fig-Leaf Gourd is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Fig-Leaf Gourd can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Fig-Leaf Gourd can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

🧐 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.