Plant DetailShow Menu

Cucurbita argyrosperma is often confused with:
Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita maxima
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita maxima
Cucurbita moschata Butternut squash
Cucurbita pepo Zucchini Plant Top View
Cucurbita argyrosperma has some common insect problems:
Insect and Related Pests of Vegetables
Pests of Cucurbits
Cucurbita argyrosperma has some common disease problems:
Cucurbit Downy Mildew
Gummy Stem Blight of Cucurbits
Anthracnose of Cucurbits

Winter Squash Cucurbita argyrosperma

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Winter Squash:

Phonetic Spelling
koo-KER-bih-ta ar-ji-roh-SPER-muh
Description

Cucurbita argyrosperma, commonly referred to as winter squash, is a warm-season annual vegetable vine that trails along the ground or climbs up structures using tendrils. It has yellow fruit-bearing flowers that are produced in the fall. The fruits have a mild flavor and can be fried, baked, added to pasta, used in soups, and more. Native to Central and South America, winter squash is an aggressive grower and prefers moderately moist soil with full access to sunlight. 

Winter squash is best suited for large landscapes, but performs well in vegetable gardens, on trellises, and as a cover for exposed soil.  It is easily sown from seed, especially when soils are warm. Cucurbita argyrosperma should be transplanted in late spring, early summer, or after the last frost. 

Pests, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs, aphids, and beetles.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Cucurbita.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#edible plant#easy to grow#dark green#yellow flowers#edible flowers#colorful#tendrils#large leaves#seeds#showy fruits#moist soil#fast growing#herbaceous#easy to transplant#rich soils#climbing vines#vegetable garden#herbaceous vine#yellow fruits#large spaces#edible landscaping#attractive leaves#coarse#groundcover#annual flowers#green fruits#edible fruits#edible seeds#vegetable#edible garden#orange fruits#dried arrangements#vertical spaces#green leaves#herbaceous annual#annual vegetable#white fruits#flowering vine#colorful fruits#rough leaves#vine#fruits early fall#warm season vegetable#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#climber#wildlife friendly#prickles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#edible plant#easy to grow#dark green#yellow flowers#edible flowers#colorful#tendrils#large leaves#seeds#showy fruits#moist soil#fast growing#herbaceous#easy to transplant#rich soils#climbing vines#vegetable garden#herbaceous vine#yellow fruits#large spaces#edible landscaping#attractive leaves#coarse#groundcover#annual flowers#green fruits#edible fruits#edible seeds#vegetable#edible garden#orange fruits#dried arrangements#vertical spaces#green leaves#herbaceous annual#annual vegetable#white fruits#flowering vine#colorful fruits#rough leaves#vine#fruits early fall#warm season vegetable#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#climber#wildlife friendly#prickles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cucurbita
    Species:
    argyrosperma
    Family:
    Cucurbitaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and South America
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Tendrils
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Edible
    Ground Cover
    Vegetable
    Vine
    Warm Season Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Orange
    Variegated
    White
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Good Dried
    Long-lasting
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Various shapes and colors of fruits are used for decorative purposes and seeds are edible. Often has a lovely striped and speckled pattern.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Large, pale to deep yellow flowers that bear fruit. Monecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Peltate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large, simple leaves that are often rough and prickly. Alternate with palmate lobing and venation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Dark green in color.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Small groups