Hybrid

Burpee Ambrosia Hybrid Cantaloupe

Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Ambrosia'

An All-America Selections winner renowned for its exceptional sweetness and disease resistance, making it perfect for home gardeners seeking reliable production. The thick, salmon-orange flesh maintains its quality longer than most varieties, while the heavy netting and consistent size make it as beautiful as it is delicious. This hybrid combines old-fashioned flavor with modern reliability.

Harvest

86-90d

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 Burpee Ambrosia Hybrid Cantaloupe in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 melon →

Zone Map

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Burpee Ambrosia Hybrid Cantaloupe · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing36-48 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile loam with good organic content

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorVery sweet with rich, aromatic cantaloupe flavor

ColorTan with heavy netting, salmon-orange flesh

Size4-5 pounds

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	May – May	June – July	June – August	September – 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	August – October
Zone 7	March – April	May – May	May – June	August – September
Zone 8	March – March	April – May	April – June	July – September
Zone 9	February – February	March – April	March – May	June – August
Zone 10	January – February	March – March	March – April	June – July

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 Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupes store best at room temperature for 3-5 days to develop full flavor and aroma. Once fully ripe (fragrant at the blossom end), refrigerate whole melons for up to one week at 36-40°F with 85-90% humidity. Cut melons keep 3-4 days refrigerated in airtight containers.

For longer preservation, freeze cubed Ambrosia flesh on parchment-lined trays, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 8 months. The texture changes but flavor remains excellent for smoothies and sorbets. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 12-18 hours to create concentrated melon leather. Ambrosia's high sugar content makes it perfect for agua fresca—blend flesh with water and lime, strain, and freeze in ice cube trays for instant summer refreshers. Pickle firm, underripe melons in rice vinegar with ginger for an unexpected condiment that keeps refrigerated for 2-3 weeks.

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 flies while potentially improving melon flavor

Marigolds

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

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, protecting melons

Radishes

Deter cucumber beetles and squash vine borers while loosening soil

Bush Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with sprawling melon vines

Catnip

Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles that damage melon plants

Oregano

Provides general pest protection and may enhance melon growth

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide natural support structure for vines

Keep Apart

Cucumbers

Share same pests and diseases, increasing risk of cucumber beetle infestations

Aromatic Herbs (Strong)

Strong herbs like sage can inhibit melon growth and development

Potatoes

Compete for nutrients and space, may inhibit melon vine growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

34kcal(2%)

Protein

0.84g(2%)

Fiber

0.9g(3%)

Carbs

8.16g(3%)

Fat

0.19g(0%)

Vitamin C

36.7mg(41%)

Vitamin A

169mcg(19%)

Vitamin K

2.5mcg(2%)

Iron

0.21mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

267mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent resistance to fusarium wilt and powdery mildew

Common Pests

Cucumber beetles, aphids, squash vine borers, thrips

Diseases

Downy mildew, bacterial wilt, alternaria leaf spot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe take to grow?▼

Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe requires 86-90 days from seed to harvest. In northern climates with shorter growing seasons, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting to ensure adequate growing time before first frost. The extended maturity period is offset by the variety's exceptional sweetness and disease resistance.

Can you grow Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe in containers?▼

Yes, but choose containers at least 20 gallons with excellent drainage. Use a trellis or cage to support the 6-8 foot vines vertically, and hand-pollinate flowers since container plants may have limited bee access. Provide consistent moisture and weekly fertilizing, as container plants dry out faster and need more frequent feeding than ground-planted melons.

Is Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe good for beginners?▼

Absolutely—Burpee Ambrosia is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its outstanding disease resistance and forgiving nature. The variety tolerates slight watering inconsistencies better than most cantaloupes, and its clear ripening indicators make harvest timing easier to judge. The extended harvest window also provides flexibility for new gardeners still learning to read ripeness cues.

What does Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe taste like?▼

Burpee Ambrosia delivers intensely sweet, aromatic cantaloupe flavor with 12-14% sugar content—significantly sweeter than grocery store varieties. The thick, salmon-orange flesh has a smooth, melting texture without grittiness. The aroma is notably strong and musky, developing fully when fruits ripen on the vine rather than during shipping.

When should I plant Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe seeds?▼

Plant Ambrosia seeds when soil temperature reaches 70°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after last frost. In zones 5-6, start seeds indoors in late April for June transplanting. Zones 7-8 can direct sow in mid-May, while zones 9-10 should plant in early spring before summer heat peaks, with a possible second planting in late summer.

How much space does Burpee Ambrosia cantaloupe need?▼

Allow 6-8 feet between plants in all directions, as Ambrosia produces vigorous vines that spread extensively. Each plant needs approximately 36-50 square feet of growing space for optimal production. In small gardens, train vines vertically on sturdy trellises, but provide support slings for developing fruits to prevent vine damage from their 2-3 pound weight.