Heirloom

Cushaw Green Striped

Cucurbita argyrosperma 'Green Striped Cushaw'

An ancient heirloom winter squash with a distinctive curved neck and beautiful green and white striped skin that has been grown by Native Americans for centuries. This vigorous vine produces massive fruits that can weigh up to 20 pounds, with sweet, fine-textured orange flesh that's perfect for pies and baking. The curved shape and striking appearance make it as ornamental as it is delicious.

Harvest

110-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

koo-KER-bih-ta ar-ji-roh-SPER-muh

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate to challenging

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Cushaw Green Striped in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 squash →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Cushaw Green Striped · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to challenging

Spacing72-96 inches

SoilRich, well-drained soil with excellent drainage

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering preferred

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet and nutty with fine, smooth texture, less fibrous than many winter squash

ColorGreen and white striped exterior, bright orange interior

Size10-20 pounds, 12-18 inches long including curved neck

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	October – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	September – November
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	September – October
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	August – October
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	July – September
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	July – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: koo-KER-bih-ta ar-ji-roh-SPER-muh. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Various shapes and colors of fruits are used for decorative purposes and seeds are edible. Often has a lovely striped and speckled pattern.

Color: Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Variegated, White. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Good Dried, Long-lasting

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Cure harvested Cushaw Green Striped in a warm (80-85°F), dry location for 10-14 days to harden the skin and concentrate sugars. After curing, store in a cool (50-55°F), dry place with good air circulation — a basement or garage works well. Properly cured cushaws store 6-12 months when kept at consistent temperatures.

Avoid refrigerating whole fruits as cold temperatures cause chilling injury and accelerate decay. Check stored squash monthly and use any showing soft spots immediately.

For preservation, the sweet orange flesh freezes exceptionally well when cooked and pureed — blanch cubed flesh for 3 minutes before freezing, or roast and puree for pie filling that keeps 12 months frozen. The fine texture also makes excellent pickled cushaw, a traditional Southern preparation, and dehydrated cushaw chips for long-term storage.

History & Origin

Origin: Central and South America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Corn

Provides vertical support for squash vines and creates beneficial microclimate

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil benefiting heavy-feeding squash plants

Radishes

Deters squash bugs and cucumber beetles while breaking up soil

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and various pests including cucumber beetles

Catnip

Strong deterrent against squash bugs and other cucurbit pests

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides general pest deterrent properties

Sunflowers

Attracts beneficial insects and provides partial shade for squash

Keep Apart

Potatoes

Compete for space and nutrients, may harbor similar soil-borne diseases

Aromatic herbs (strong)

Strong scents from sage or rosemary may inhibit squash growth

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of cucurbits and most vegetables

Nutrition Facts

Calories

26kcal(1%)

Protein

0.52g(1%)

Carbs

5.64g(2%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.5mg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

205mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168040)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Natural resistance to squash vine borers, good heat tolerance

Common Pests

Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, less affected by vine borers

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Cushaw Green Striped take to grow?▼

Cushaw Green Striped requires 110-120 days from seed to harvest, making it one of the longer-season winter squashes. In northern areas (zones 5-6), start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks early to ensure full maturation before first frost. The long growing season is essential for developing the variety's characteristic sweet flavor and storage quality.

Can you grow Cushaw Green Striped in containers?▼

Cushaw Green Striped is not suitable for container growing due to its massive vine spread of 15-20 feet and heavy fruit production. The vigorous vines and 20-pound fruits require extensive ground space and deep soil. Even the largest containers cannot accommodate this variety's growth requirements and root system needs.

Is Cushaw Green Striped good for beginners?▼

Cushaw Green Striped rates as moderate to challenging difficulty, making it better suited for intermediate gardeners. While it offers good disease resistance, the long growing season, extensive space requirements, and specific harvest timing require experience. Beginning gardeners should start with more compact winter squash varieties first.

What does Cushaw Green Striped squash taste like?▼

Cushaw Green Striped offers a sweet, nutty flavor with fine, smooth-textured orange flesh that's less fibrous than most winter squashes. The taste is often compared to sweet potato with subtle butternut squash notes. The flesh is naturally sweet enough for pies without added sugar and has a creamy consistency perfect for soups and custards.

When should I plant Cushaw Green Striped seeds?▼

Plant Cushaw Green Striped seeds 2-3 weeks after your last frost date when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently. In zones 7-10, direct sow in late May to early June. Northern gardeners in zones 5-6 should start seeds indoors in early May for transplanting after soil warms, ensuring the 110-120 day growing season is completed before fall frost.

How do you know when Cushaw Green Striped is ready to harvest?▼

Harvest Cushaw Green Striped when the skin becomes dull (not glossy), the ground spot turns cream to pale orange, and your thumbnail cannot easily puncture the skin. The stem should be browning and shriveled, and the fruit sounds hollow when tapped. The curved neck must feel completely solid with no soft spots, indicating full maturity.