Fig Leaf Squash Cucurbita ficifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pepo ficifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- koo-KER-bih-ta fik-ih-FOL-lee-uh
- Description
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Figleaf Gourd is an annual, vining, squash in the cucumber family and native to South America where it is grown for its edible fruits with black seeds. The leaves and stems are also edible. It is a vigorous plant with a tendency to climb. The mature fruit, rounded and resembling a watermelon, can be stored for 2 years or more and becomes sweeter over time. The leaves resemble fig leaves as referenced in the Latin species name and the common name.
Figleaf Gourd can grow in poor soil (clay or sandy), in full sun or partial shade. It does prefer moist to wet soil conditions, but is not cold tolerant.
Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cucurbita
- Species:
- ficifolia
- Family:
- Cucurbitaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The shell of the mature fruit is very hard and it can be used as a container.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peru to Bolivia
- Distribution:
- Mexico, Central America, California, Spain.
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Tendrils
- Edibility:
- Fruit can be cooked or made into jam.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Vegetable
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Tendrils
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Long-lasting
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A pepo (berry with a hard rind) that is mottled white and green. The inner flesh is white with black seeds. Known for its incredible storage qualities and for the uniform size and color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Early to mid-summer bright yellow flowers last into early fall. Monecious, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Peltate
- Reniform
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large alternate leaves with palmate lobing and venation. In shape, similar to fig leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
