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Watermelon plants are vigorous, vining plants which need to be given quite a bit of space to ramble in. They produce large melons of varying sizes and colors, depending on the variety.

Latin Name

Citrullus lanatus


Family

Cucurbitaceae


Type of Plant

Annuals Annuals
Vegetables Vegetables

Bloom Season

July - August

Seasons

Summer Summer

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 1.5'
Max spread Max Spread: 15'

Uses

  • Annual
  • Edible
  • Vegetable

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Colors


    Native Range

    Namibia


    History

    On May 5th, 1788 George Washington recorded the planting of "water mellen" seeds in his diary.


    Other Details

    Pollinator Pollinator
    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Lower Garden Pioneer Farm

  • Lower Garden
  • Pioneer Farm

  • Hardiness Zones

    USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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