Heirloom

Banana Melon

Cucumis melo var. inodorus 'Banana'

An unusual heirloom melon that looks exactly like a giant banana with its elongated yellow shape and smooth skin. This conversation-starting variety produces sweet, salmon-pink flesh with a delicate flavor reminiscent of both cantaloupe and honeydew. The novelty appearance combined with excellent taste makes it a hit at farmers markets and a unique addition to any home garden.

Harvest

90-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-9 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Banana Melon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 melon →

Zone Map

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Banana Melon · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing48-60 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile sandy loam with organic amendments

pH6.2-6.8

Water1-2 inches per week, reduce near harvest

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet and mild with delicate flavor between cantaloupe and honeydew

ColorBright yellow smooth rind with salmon-pink flesh

Size3-5 pounds

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	September – October
Zone 5	April – April	May – June	May – July	September – October
Zone 6	April – April	May – June	May – July	September – October
Zone 7	March – April	May – May	May – June	August – October
Zone 8	March – March	April – May	April – June	August – September
Zone 9	February – February	March – April	March – May	July – August
Zone 10	January – February	March – March	March – April	June – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in., Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Musky-scented, spherical to oblong berry with a rind (pepo), often furrowed with yellow, white or green flesh and many seeds. The rind may be green, yellow, tan, beige or white and the surface may be smooth, rough, warty, scaly, or netted. Seeds white, about 1/2 inch long, narrow. Seeds ripen in August and September.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, White. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Edibility: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Banana melons store best at room temperature for 3-5 days if harvested at optimal ripeness, allowing their sweet flavor to fully develop. Once cut, wrap pieces in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one week. Avoid storing whole uncut melons in the refrigerator as cold temperatures damage the flesh texture and mute the delicate flavor.

For preservation, freezing works excellently for smoothies and frozen treats - cube the flesh, spread on baking sheets to freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 8 months. The salmon-pink flesh also makes stunning melon preserves and jams when combined with lemon juice and pectin. Dehydrating thin slices creates unique dried fruit leather with concentrated sweetness, though the high water content requires longer drying times than other melons. The distinctive banana shape makes these melons less suitable for traditional canning methods due to uneven heat penetration.

History & Origin

Origin: Africa, Arabian Peninsula, India, Australia

Advantages

+Edible: Eaten fresh, wrapped in prosciutto, in salads, or as a dessert. Watery, but delicate, flavor. Avoid the seeds as the sprouting seed produces a toxic substance in its embryo.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids, thrips, and mosquitoes while potentially improving melon flavor

Marigolds

Deters nematodes, aphids, and cucumber beetles that commonly attack melons

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids

Radishes

Repels cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, improves soil structure

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade, compatible root systems

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding melons

Sunflowers

Attracts beneficial insects and provides wind protection for melon vines

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture

Keep Apart

Cucumber

Competes for same nutrients and space, shares common diseases like bacterial wilt

Potatoes

May inhibit melon growth and both crops attract similar harmful insects

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of melons and most garden plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

30kcal(2%)

Protein

0.61g(1%)

Fiber

0.4g(1%)

Carbs

7.55g(3%)

Fat

0.15g(0%)

Vitamin C

8.1mg(9%)

Vitamin A

28mcg(3%)

Vitamin K

0.1mcg(0%)

Iron

0.24mg(1%)

Calcium

7mg(1%)

Potassium

112mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate resistance typical of heirloom varieties

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, vine borers

Diseases

Fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does banana melon take to grow from seed?▼

Banana melons require 90-100 days from seed to harvest, making them one of the longer-season melon varieties. In northern climates (zones 4-6), start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting to ensure adequate growing time before first frost. Southern gardeners can direct sow when soil reaches 70°F.

Can you grow banana melon in containers?▼

Yes, but use containers at least 20 gallons in size due to their extensive root system and long vines. Choose dwarf or bush varieties if available, or plan to train vines up sturdy trellises. Container growing limits yield but works well for novelty growing in small spaces with proper support and consistent watering.

What does banana melon taste like compared to cantaloupe?▼

Banana melon offers a milder, more delicate sweetness than cantaloupe, with flavor notes between cantaloupe and honeydew. The salmon-pink flesh is less musky and more subtle than traditional cantaloupe, making it appealing to those who find cantaloupe too strong. The texture is smooth and juicy when properly ripened.

Is banana melon good for beginner gardeners?▼

Banana melon rates as moderate difficulty, making it suitable for gardeners with some experience growing vine crops. Beginners should master basic melons like cantaloupe first, as banana melons require more specific harvesting knowledge and longer growing seasons. Success depends heavily on proper soil preparation and consistent care.

When should I plant banana melon seeds?▼

Plant banana melon seeds when soil temperature consistently reaches 70°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 4-6, start indoors in early May for late May transplanting. Zones 7-9 can direct sow from late May through early June. Avoid planting in cool soil as seeds will rot.

How do you know when banana melon is ripe?▼

Ripe banana melons develop a creamy pale yellow color with waxy sheen, and will slip easily from the vine with gentle lifting. The blossom end yields slightly to pressure and emits sweet fragrance. Unlike round melons, avoid the thump test - focus on color change, slip test, and aroma instead.