How to Grow Watermelon

Intermediate

Citrullus lanatus

A heat-loving vine crop prized for sweet, juicy fruit. Needs a long warm season and ample space. Icebox varieties suit small gardens; train vines vertically with slings to save space.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity

70–90 days

typical

Per Square Foot

quarter

Plant Spacing

60 cm / 24"

Sun

8+ hours

Water

1.5" / 38 mm

Fertilization

heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil reaches 21 °C. Reduce watering as fruit ripens to concentrate sugars.

Varieties & Cultivars

8 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Golden yellow flesh

(1)

Yellow Dawn

80–90 days Open-Pollinated

novelty colour; thin rind; good for small gardens

Height: 24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 2.1 oz (60 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 4–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 5 years

Hearty hybrid

(1)

Cinderella

80–90 days Hybrid

sweet red flesh; disease resistant; good for humid climates; reliable producer

Height: 24–36" (61–91 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 3.5 oz (100 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 4–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 5 years

Icebox

(2)

Blacktail Mountain

70–75 days Open-Pollinated

3–5 kg round dark green fruit; red flesh

Height: 12–71" (30–180 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.9 lb (3600 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 5 years

Sugar Baby

75–85 days Open-Pollinated

deep red very sweet flesh; compact vines for small gardens

Height: 12–71" (30–180 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.9 lb (3600 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 5 years

Picnic

(4)

Charleston Gray

85–90 days Open-Pollinated

bright red sweet flesh; USDA 1954 release; excellent shipping melon; fusarium wilt resistant; thick rind resists sunburn

Height: 24–118" (60–300 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 24.2 lb (11000 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 5 years

Crimson Sweet

80–90 days Open-Pollinated

bright red sweet flesh; widely adapted

Height: 24–118" (60–300 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 19.8 lb (9000 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 5 years

Jubilee

90–95 days Open-Pollinated

bright red sweet flesh; 1963 AAS winner; vigorous vines; good disease resistance

Height: 24–118" (60–300 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 27.5 lb (12500 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 5 years

Moon and Stars

90–100 days Open-Pollinated

sweet pink-red flesh

Height: 24–118" (60–300 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 24.2 lb (11000 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 5 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside watermelon, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Radish : Radishes mature quickly before watermelon vines need the space; may deter cucumber beetles

Lettuce : Lettuce matures before watermelon vines spread and benefits from partial shade

Corn : Corn provides windbreak; watermelon vines spread underneath without competing for light

Sunflower : Sunflowers attract pollinators that improve watermelon fruit set

Beans : Beans fix nitrogen that heavy-feeding watermelon vines use

Keep Apart

Potato : Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases; compete heavily for soil nutrients

Square Foot Spacing

¼ per sq ft

View full spacing chart →

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