Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe
Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis 'Hearts of Gold'
A treasured heirloom variety from the 1890s that earned its name from the heart-shaped cavity filled with golden-orange flesh of exceptional quality. This compact variety is perfect for smaller gardens and shorter seasons, producing consistently sweet melons with that old-fashioned cantaloupe flavor gardeners remember from childhood. Its reliability and disease resistance have kept it popular for over a century.
Harvest
70-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
KOO-koo-mis MEL-oh
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-9 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe in USDA Zone 7
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Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
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 | August – 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
Store freshly harvested Hearts of Gold melons at room temperature for 3-5 days to allow full flavor development if they're slightly underripe. Once fully ripe, refrigerate whole melons for up to one week in the crisper drawer. Cut melons should be wrapped tightly and consumed within 3-4 days.
For preservation, dice ripe flesh and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags – frozen cubes work excellently in smoothies for up to 8 months. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create sweet melon leather. The compact size of Hearts of Gold makes whole melons perfect for small-batch melon preserves or pickled rind – use the thick, flavorful rind for traditional pickled watermelon rind recipes, adjusting sugar slightly for the melon's natural sweetness.
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 other pests that commonly attack melons
Marigolds
Deters cucumber beetles, aphids, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Nasturtiums
Acts as trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, repels aphids
Radishes
Repels cucumber beetles and squash borers, quick harvest allows space for melon spread
Sunflowers
Provides beneficial shade and wind protection, attracts pollinators essential for melon fruit set
Corn
Offers natural support and shade, creates beneficial microclimate without competing for nutrients
Beans
Fixes nitrogen in soil benefiting heavy-feeding melons, grows vertically without competing for space
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrent through aromatic compounds
Keep Apart
Potatoes
Competes heavily for water and nutrients, can harbor diseases that affect melon plants
Cucumbers
Attracts same pests (cucumber beetles, squash bugs) and susceptible to similar diseases
Aromatic herbs (strong)
Strong herbs like sage can inhibit melon germination and early growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169092)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to rust and powdery mildew for an heirloom
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, aphids, spider mites, striped cucumber beetle
Diseases
Bacterial wilt, downy mildew, alternaria leaf blight