Kiwano Jelly Melon Seeds (Cucumis metuliferus) Exotic horned melon producing vibrant orange fruit with lime-green jelly flesh; drought-tolerant vine ideal for trellises and adventurous gardens

Minimum: 10+ Seeds

Spiked Orange Fruit • Electric Green Flesh • Pure Garden Curiosity
Exotic Horned Melon for Trellises, Heat Lovers & Adventurous Growers

Kiwano Jelly Melon is the kind of plant that stops people mid-step in the garden. The vines climb, the fruit glows like something from another continent, and the harvest sparks questions before it ever reaches the kitchen. If you love growing the unexpected, this is a plant that delivers wonder from seed to shelf.

Kiwano Jelly Melon Seeds (Cucumis metuliferus) produce oval, horned fruits that ripen to a blazing orange with lime-green, jewel-like flesh inside. Native to Africa and adapted to heat and dry conditions, this melon thrives where summer is intense and curiosity runs high.

At Terra Mater Gardens, we believe gardens should feed both appetite and imagination. Kiwano does both.

What Is Kiwano Jelly Melon?

Also called horned melon or African cucumber, Kiwano is a vigorous warm-season vine in the cucumber family. It is grown for its striking fruit, refreshing flavor, and impressive tolerance to heat and drought.

Plant characteristics:

• Warm-season annual vine

• Long, sprawling or climbing growth habit

• Deep green, lobed leaves

• Bright orange, spiny fruits at maturity

• Excellent heat and drought tolerance

Vines can reach 6 to 10 feet and are well suited for trellises, fences, and vertical gardens.

Fruit Appearance & Flavor

This is a fruit grown as much for beauty as for taste.

Fruit features:

• Color: Green when young, bright orange when ripe

• Shape: Oval with soft horns

• Flesh: Lime-green, jelly-like interior

• Seeds: Edible, suspended in gel

Flavor profile:

• Lightly sweet with cucumber and citrus notes

• Refreshing and mild

• Best eaten fresh or chilled

The texture is juicy and spoonable, similar to passionfruit.

Culinary & Creative Uses

Kiwano shines in fresh preparations.

Great for:

• Fresh snacking straight from the rind

• Fruit salads and tropical bowls

• Smoothies and mocktails

• Garnishes for desserts and plates

• Edible conversation pieces

Chefs love it for its visual impact as much as its clean, refreshing taste.

Cultural Background & Uniqueness

Cucumis metuliferus has been cultivated across parts of Africa for generations as a reliable fruit in hot, dry climates. Its tough skin allows for long storage once ripe, making it valuable in regions without refrigeration.

Today, it remains a favorite among rare fruit growers and collectors who value plants that thrive under pressure and look unlike anything else in the garden.

Growing Conditions & Care

Kiwano is easier than it looks.

Growing overview:

• Sun: Full sun

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile

• Water: Moderate; drought tolerant once established

• Spacing: 18–24 inches

• Zones: Thrives in warm climates, including zone 7 with a long summer

Growing tips:

• Start seeds after all frost risk has passed

• Provide trellising to keep fruit clean and visible

• Harvest when fruit turns fully orange

• Allow fruit to cure briefly for best flavor

Once vines are established, they handle heat with ease.

Garden & Landscape Uses

Beyond the harvest, Kiwano earns its keep.

Uses include:

• Vertical edible landscaping

• Trellis and fence coverage

• Educational and curiosity gardens

• Specialty market growing

The dramatic fruit adds color long after most vines slow down.

Why Grow Kiwano Jelly Melon?

✔ Exotic, eye-catching fruit
✔ Heat and drought tolerant
✔ Excellent trellis vine
✔ Mild, refreshing flavor
✔ A true conversation starter

This is a plant for gardeners who like their harvests bold.

Seed & Botanical Details

• Species: Cucumis metuliferus

• Common Name: Kiwano, Horned Melon

• Seed Type: Untreated, non-GMO

• Plant Type: Warm-season annual vine

• Use: Culinary, ornamental, educational

Perfect For

• Adventurous home gardeners

• Warm-climate growers

• Trellis and vertical gardens

• Rare fruit collectors

• Anyone bored with ordinary melons

Terra Mater Gardens Promise

Some fruits blend in. This one stands guard on the vine, glowing orange and daring you to taste it. Grow Kiwano Jelly Melon once, and your garden will never feel ordinary again.

If you have the sun and the curiosity, this is your melon.