Ali Baba Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus 'Ali Baba'
An remarkable Iraqi heirloom watermelon that produces enormous fruits weighing up to 100 pounds with incredibly sweet, crisp flesh that stays fresh for weeks after harvest. Ali Baba features distinctive pale green skin with dark stripes and develops exceptional sweetness while maintaining excellent texture even in its massive size. This conversation-starting variety is perfect for gardeners who want to grow something truly spectacular and have the space for its vigorous vines.
Harvest
100-110d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–10
USDA hardiness
Height
4-8 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ali Baba Watermelon in USDA Zone 7
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Ali Baba Watermelon · Zones 5–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May – May | June – July | June – August | October – October |
| Zone 4 | April – May | June – June | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 5 | April – April | May – June | May – July | September – October |
| Zone 6 | April – April | May – June | May – July | September – November |
| Zone 7 | March – April | May – May | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 8 | March – March | April – May | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 9 | February – February | March – April | March – May | July – September |
| Zone 10 | January – February | March – March | March – April | July – August |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: #yellow flowers#showy fruits#vegetable garden#edible fruits#edible garden#fruits summer#vine#warm season vegetable#edible#annual#early childhood#child#children#preschool#early care#easy edibles#hortcontest. Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: SIT-troo-lus la-NAY-tus. Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.. Spread: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The plant produces melons which are large modified berries called a pepo. They are rounded to oval mottled green with darker green rind. Black, cream or mottled colored elliptic seeds. Flesh general red or pink but can also be yellowish.
Color: Green. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Summer
Edibility: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Storage & Preservation
Whole Ali Baba watermelons store exceptionally well at room temperature for 2-3 weeks after harvest, longer than most varieties due to their thick rinds. Keep them in a cool, dry location around 60-70°F away from direct sunlight, turning occasionally to prevent flat spots.
Once cut, wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one week. The high sugar content makes Ali Baba excellent for juicing - extract juice and freeze in ice cube trays for convenient portions. For long-term preservation, cut flesh into chunks and freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags - frozen watermelon works perfectly for smoothies and agua frescas.
The thick rinds make excellent pickles when the white portion is cubed and processed with vinegar, sugar, and spices. You can also dehydrate thin slices for chewy fruit leather, though this requires significant time due to the high water content.
History & Origin
Ali Baba watermelon traces its origins to ancient Mesopotamia, now modern-day Iraq, where watermelons have been cultivated for over 4,000 years in the fertile valleys between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This heirloom variety was traditionally grown by Iraqi farmers who selected for enormous size and exceptional keeping quality - crucial traits in a region with intense heat and limited refrigeration.
The variety likely arrived in North America through Middle Eastern immigrants in the early 20th century, though documentation is sparse due to informal seed-sharing networks within communities. Named after the legendary character from 'One Thousand and One Nights,' Ali Baba watermelon reflects the cultural tradition of associating treasure and abundance with this prized variety.
Iraqi agricultural traditions emphasized growing melons that could feed large extended families during celebrations and survive long storage periods through hot summers. These practices shaped Ali Baba's genetics for massive size, dense flesh, and remarkable shelf life - traits that modern gardeners still prize today. The variety represents one of the few surviving links to ancient Middle Eastern watermelon genetics, making it invaluable for preserving genetic diversity.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Edible: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, repels squash bugs
Marigolds
Deters nematodes and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial insects
Radishes
Repels cucumber beetles and squash bugs, breaks up soil for watermelon roots
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover to retain moisture
Corn
Provides natural windbreak and partial shade, supports beneficial insects
Sunflowers
Attracts pollinators essential for fruit set, provides beneficial shade
Catnip
Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles more effectively than DEET
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrence
Keep Apart
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth and can stunt watermelon development
Potatoes
Compete for similar nutrients and space, may harbor similar fungal diseases
Tomatoes
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, attract similar pests like aphids
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good natural vigor but limited specific disease resistance
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, vine borers
Diseases
Fusarium wilt, anthracnose, gummy stem blight, bacterial fruit blotch