HybridContainer OK

Zucchini Partenon

Cucurbita pepo 'Partenon'

An award-winning All-America Selections hybrid zucchini that produces without pollination, making it perfect for container growing or areas with poor pollinator activity. This compact, high-yielding variety produces dark green fruits with exceptional flavor and tender texture. The parthenocarpic trait means consistent production even in challenging growing conditions.

Harvest

48-52d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Zucchini Partenon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 squash →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Zucchini Partenon · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing24-36 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, mild, and exceptionally tender

ColorDark glossy green

Size6-7 inches long, 2 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: var. CylindricaZucchini Squash, var. Cylindrica. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

A type of berry called a pepo that has a hard rind. Fruits may be long or round, large or small, smooth or warty– some have edible flesh and some are too hard or insipid to eat, though the seeds of all are edible. Has a harder, thicker stem compared to other species.

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

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Store freshly harvested Partenon zucchini at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to one week. Avoid washing until ready to use, and store in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation.

For freezing, slice or grate zucchini, blanch for 2-3 minutes, then cool in ice water before freezing in portions. Grated, unblanched zucchini works well for baking applications. This variety's tender texture makes it excellent for pickling—try bread-and-butter style or dill spears.

Dehydrate thin slices at 125°F for 8-12 hours to make chips, or shred and dehydrate for adding to soups and stews later. The mild, sweet flavor of Partenon also works well in fermented applications like lacto-fermented zucchini relish, which preserves the nutritional benefits while adding probiotics.

History & Origin

Origin: North America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

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

Marigolds

Repels cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and nematodes with strong scent

Radishes

Deters squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, breaks up soil

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil, benefits heavy-feeding zucchini

Corn

Provides vertical structure and shade, part of three sisters planting

Catnip

Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and ants effectively

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Keep Apart

Potatoes

Compete for space and nutrients, both are heavy feeders with similar root zones

Fennel

Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds, stunts development

Aromatic herbs (Sage)

Strong oils can inhibit germination and growth of squash plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

21kcal(1%)

Protein

2.71g(5%)

Fiber

1.1g(4%)

Carbs

3.11g(1%)

Fat

0.4g(1%)

Vitamin C

34.1mg(38%)

Vitamin A

25mcg(3%)

Iron

0.79mg(4%)

Calcium

21mg(2%)

Potassium

459mg(10%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168565)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus and watermelon mosaic virus

Common Pests

Aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Zucchini Partenon take to grow?▼

Zucchini Partenon matures in 48-52 days from planting to first harvest. You can expect the first fruits to appear about 7 weeks after direct sowing or 5-6 weeks after transplanting seedlings. The plants continue producing for 8-10 weeks with regular harvesting, giving you fresh zucchini from midsummer through early fall.

Can you grow Zucchini Partenon in containers?▼

Yes, Partenon is specifically bred for container growing with its compact 3-4 foot spread. Use containers at least 20 gallons with drainage holes, and choose a spot receiving 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. The parthenocarpic trait makes it perfect for containers since you don't need to worry about attracting pollinators to your patio or balcony garden.

Is Zucchini Partenon good for beginners?▼

Absolutely—this variety is rated as 'easy' to grow and forgives many beginner mistakes. The parthenocarpic trait eliminates pollination concerns, it has good disease resistance, and the compact size makes it manageable. Fast maturity means you'll see results quickly, which is encouraging for new gardeners. Just focus on consistent watering and you'll have success.

What does Zucchini Partenon taste like?▼

Partenon offers a sweet, mild flavor with exceptionally tender texture that's less watery than many zucchini varieties. The skin is so tender it never needs peeling, even on mature fruits. Young fruits are crisp enough for raw eating in salads, while mature fruits maintain their texture well when cooked, making them versatile for any zucchini recipe.

Do I need to hand-pollinate Zucchini Partenon?▼

No hand-pollination needed—that's the beauty of this parthenocarpic variety. It produces fruit without any pollination, making it ideal for covered growing, urban gardens with few bees, or areas with declining pollinator populations. This trait ensures consistent harvests regardless of weather conditions that might keep bees away.

When should I plant Zucchini Partenon seeds?▼

Plant when soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F—typically late May in zones 5-6, mid-May in zones 7-8, and early May in zones 9-10. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost date and transplant after soil warms. You can succession plant every 2-3 weeks through midsummer for continuous harvests.