winter squash
Cucurbita maxima
USDA zones2 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall10 to 12 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Climbing
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) is a vegetable for the food garden, borders, and ground cover. It is typically grown as an annual. It is not cold-hardy and will not survive freezing temperatures. This plant likes full sun and average to moist, sandy or loamy soil. Its rapid vines spread wide, so give them plenty of room. Yellow flowers appear in summer and attract bees.
Pairs well with Scarlet runner, Borage, Popcorn shoot, and Oregano.
Native range
Central and South America.