Gourd

Basic Information

Seed Number

164

Seed Name

Gourd

Variety

Birdhouse

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Bottle/birdhouse gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 14

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 1

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 14 – Apr 28

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 1

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 1

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

3 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

5–13 days

Harvest/Maturity

100 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

70°F+

Planting Depth

1 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

6-12 ft

Thin-To Spacing

24-36 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Maintain regular deep moisture during active vine growth and fruit development

Soil Preference

Fertile, well-drained soil; approximately pH 6.0-7.0

Minimum Container Size

only in a very large container with sturdy support

Plant Height

8-16 in foliage; vines 10-15 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

Yes

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

UNH Extension; UF/IFAS; MSU Extension

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors 3–5 weeks early or direct sow after soil warms
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 10
Days to Harvest / Bloom: About 90–120 days to mature gourds; curing continues after harvest
Container Friendly: Possible only in a very large container with sturdy support
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental/craft use; not treated here as an edible crop
Perennial?: No; annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: One planting per season; cure fully mature gourds after harvest for crafts/birdhouses.
Zone 6B Notes: Start early enough for shells to harden before fall frost.
Companion Plants: Corn, beans, dill, marigolds and other pollinator flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Very vigorous vines need lots of room or a strong trellis. Watch cucumber beetles and mildew; mature gourds can become heavy.
Sources: UNH Extension: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/how-grow-birdhouse-gourds-lagenaria-siceraria | UF/IFAS: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/bottle-gourds/ | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar

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Zone 6B: Birdhouse gourds require a long warm season, so starting indoors about 3 weeks before transplanting can be useful in Zone 6B. Plant outdoors only when soil reaches at least 70°F.
Germination: Sow 1 inch deep in warm soil. If started indoors, use individual 3-inch or larger containers and avoid root disturbance.
Harvest: Allow gourds to mature fully on the vine until the exterior hardens and begins transitioning from green to tan. Cure completely before cutting openings for birdhouses or crafts.
Seed Saving: Birdhouse gourd is open-pollinated Lagenaria siceraria. It can cross with other Lagenaria siceraria varieties, so isolation or controlled pollination is needed for true seed.
Special Care: Vigorous 10-15 foot vines need substantial space. A sturdy trellis or arbor helps support vines and can produce straighter, cleaner gourds.
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/birdhouse-gourd-seeds---1-ounce/GOBI-1-ounce.html — Lagenaria siceraria identity, 100-day maturity, 10-15 foot vines, full sun, 1-inch depth, 24-36 inch spacing, 6-12 foot rows, open-pollinated status, 70°F planting temperature and trellis use
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