Momordica charantia

Common Names

Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd, Balsam Pear, Karela, Goya, Ampalaya

Summary

Bitter melon is a tropical/subtropical, herbaceous, tendril-bearing climbing vine native to Africa and Asia. It is vigorous and frost-tender, with long vines up to 12–20 ft, lobed leaves and yellow gourd-like flowers; fruits are green when immature and warty, ripening to yellow or orange with red arils around seeds; edible as a vegetable when immature and young leaves and shoots are used as greens; flesh is distinctly bitter.

Culture requires full sun and warm temperatures, rich well-drained loam with a pH of 5.5–6.7, and regular moisture; trellis or vertical support is needed for long vines; direct sow after soil warms or transplant; spacing about 3–5 ft between plants and 5–6 ft between rows; harvest typically 50–70 days after planting; yields range 10–30 t/ha; pollination mainly by bees, with hand pollination helpful in small plantings; common pests include aphids and diseases such as powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt; culinary uses include immature fruits in stir-fries, curries, soups, and leaves as greens; widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Lifecycle

Annual in temperate zones; Perennial in the tropics.

Height

12-16 feet

Spread

3-5 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9–11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; also suitable in partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained loam or sandy loam soil rich in organic matter, pH 5.5–6.8.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Growth Rate

Rapid growth, vines reach full length in 4–6 weeks, can grow up to 12–20 ft in a single growing season

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, birds, and other pollinators