Cantaloupe plants are annual vining plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. They have large, lobed, and slightly fuzzy leaves and bear yellow flowers. The fruit is a large, round melon with a thick, netted rind and juicy, orange-colored flesh. Cantaloupe plants require full sun and well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7. They can be grown from seed or transplanted and require regular watering and fertilization. Cantaloupes are ripe when the rinds turn yellow-orange and the fruit gives off a sweet aroma.
Planning Your Garden With Cantaloupe
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Cantaloupe is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | The USDA Hardiness Zone range for cantaloupe is 3-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Cantaloupe can tolerate temperatures down to around 28°F (-2°C). |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest for cantaloupe is usually around 70-80 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown cantaloupe plant is about 4-5 feet in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Cantaloupe plants should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart in rows that are 8 to 10 feet apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Cantaloupe is a sun-loving plant and needs 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to produce quality fruit. |
| Shade tolerance | Cantaloupes are moderately shade tolerant, and can tolerate some shade as long as they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. |
| Water requirements | Cantaloupe requires 1 to 2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not soggy. The plant should not be exposed to waterlogged conditions. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer used when growing cantaloupe will depend on the type of fertilizer used, the soil type, and the size of the planting area. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 pounds per 100 square feet of planting area. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing cantaloupe is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Cantaloupe is Popular
People like to grow cantaloupe because it is easy to grow and produces a sweet, juicy melon that is a great addition to any meal. Cantaloupe is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy choice for snacking.
Companion Plants For Cantaloupe
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for cantaloupe include:
Common Pests For Cantaloupe
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow cantaloupe, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- squash bugs
- aphids
- cucumber beetles
- spider mites
- beetles
- whiteflies
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
