Moon and Stars Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus 'Moon and Stars'
A spectacular heirloom watermelon famous for its mystical dark green rind decorated with yellow 'stars' and larger yellow 'moons' that make each fruit a work of art. Nearly lost to extinction until the 1980s, this Cherokee heirloom produces large, sweet melons with pink-red flesh and the same celestial markings on its foliage. Moon and Stars is as much a conversation piece as it is a delicious watermelon, perfect for gardeners who love growing living history.
Harvest
90-100d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
4–10
USDA hardiness
Height
4-8 inches
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Moon and Stars Watermelon in USDA Zone 7
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Moon and Stars Watermelon · Zones 4–10
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 | 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: #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 Moon and Stars watermelons keep 2-3 weeks at room temperature in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Don't refrigerate whole melons—cold temperatures can break down the flesh texture. Once cut, wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
For preservation, cut flesh into cubes and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags—frozen watermelon works excellently in smoothies though the texture becomes soft when thawed. The thick rinds make exceptional pickles using traditional watermelon rind recipes. You can also dehydrate small cubes at 135°F for 12-18 hours to create concentrated watermelon 'candy.' Save seeds from fully ripe fruits for next year's planting—clean, dry thoroughly, and store in cool, dark conditions. This heirloom variety breeds true to type, making seed saving particularly rewarding.
History & Origin
Moon and Stars watermelon traces its origins to Cherokee Native American communities, though the exact timeline remains unclear. The variety gained wider recognition through the seed trade in the early 1900s but nearly vanished by the 1960s as commercial agriculture favored uniform hybrid varieties over distinctive heirlooms.
The dramatic rescue story began in 1981 when Kent Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange launched a search for this 'lost' variety after seeing a 1920s seed catalog illustration. His quest captured national attention, appearing in newspapers and garden magazines. The breakthrough came when Merle Van Doren of Macon, Missouri, contacted Whealy—Van Doren's family had quietly maintained the variety for decades.
From Van Doren's carefully preserved seeds, Moon and Stars was reintroduced to American gardens, becoming a symbol of heirloom preservation efforts. Today it represents one of conservation's greatest success stories, demonstrating how dedicated gardeners can rescue agricultural heritage from extinction. The variety's mystical appearance and dramatic backstory have made it a favorite at agricultural fairs and among collectors of rare cultivars.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees
- +Edible: The fruit can be eaten raw or pickled. The rind is edible after cooking.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for cucumber beetles and squash bugs while repelling aphids
Marigolds
Deter nematodes and cucumber beetles with their strong scent
Radishes
Repel cucumber beetles and squash vine borers, improve soil aeration
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil and don't compete for space with sprawling melons
Catnip
Repels ants, aphids, and cucumber beetles more effectively than DEET
Corn
Provides natural shade and wind protection for developing melons
Oregano
Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrence
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and provide shade, while roots don't compete
Keep Apart
Cucumber
Competes for same nutrients and attracts shared pests like cucumber beetles
Potatoes
Both are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, potatoes may harbor harmful soil pathogens
Aromatic herbs (Sage)
Strong oils can inhibit germination and growth of melon seeds and young plants
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167765)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance typical of heirlooms, susceptible to common watermelon diseases
Common Pests
Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, aphids, spider mites
Diseases
Anthracnose, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, bacterial fruit blotch