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Native to Mexico and Central America, Melothria scabra, or the cucamelon, is also called the mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, or “sandita,” meaning little watermelon. Originally part of the Aztec diet, cucamelons are now commonly served in Central America as a delicacy.Aug 25, 2015

They grow great in hanging baskets, too. They will grow in partial shade, but seem to need full sun to get the highest yields. They don't succumb as easily to the mildew that many cucumber plants do.

Originating in Mexico and South America, sanditas (“little watermelon” in Spanish), their flavor, crunch and aroma are like a cucumber with an additional lime twist. This makes them perfect for snacking raw (a sprinkle of salt suggested) or in salads, salsa and even as a drink garnish.Sep 11, 2015

The vines are invasive, though, so if you do decide to try your hand at growing them yourself, you'll want to use a trellis and monitor the growth. What would you do with a cute cucamelon?Aug 12, 2016

How to Harvest: Cucamelons are ready to pick when they are the size of olives or small grapes and are still firm. If you pick them later, they will be very seedy. Cucamelons develop and ripen pretty quickly after the flowers appear, so keep watching your vines daily.May 14, 2020

The cucamelons will be pickled and ready to eat. Once opened, store in the refrigerator. They will keep up to 3 months, but most likely won't last nearly that long! Yields about 1 quart.Sep 1, 2017

Cucamelons can act as a perennial if you are lucky enough to live in a climate where they can produce tubers, or radish-like roots. The first year they will produce as normal by starting to fruit around July until the first frost stops them. ... Plant in the garden into warm soil after the last frost date.Feb 5, 2015

Cucamelons thrive in warm, humid weather.

Plant cucamelons outside after all danger of frost has passed in the spring, and nighttime temperatures have warmed to about 50℉.

According to the Huffington Post, the cucamelon is a fruit that looks like a tiny watermelon but tastes more like a lime-dipped cucumber. It's also known as Mexican sour gherkin, Mexican miniature watermelon, Mexican sour cucumber and mouse melon, BuzzFeed reports.Aug 9, 2016

• Quick Guide to Growing Mexican Gherkins 1 Mexican gherkins like warm soil and warm-ish temps, so check your last frost date and wait until after it’s passed to plant. 2 Space the plants 18 inches apart in full sun. 3 Plant in a nutrient-rich soil in raised beds and containers, or mix organic matter into the soil of in-ground gardens. More items...

• While growing Mexican sour gherkins has been fairly commonplace south of the border, until recently Cucamelon hasn’t been cultivated in the United States. The burgeoning popularity of farmers markets and personal gardening has brought a burst in recognition for these tiny treats. Intrigued?

• In flavor, Mexican sour gherkin cucumbers (Melothria scabra) are similar to cucumber with a fresh, tangy, succulent flavor. They can be used sautéed, pickled or fresh in salads with no need to peel the little beauties. Additional Cucamelon Plant Info Cucamelon is not actually a cucumber.

• The plant is an unbridled vining specimen with pointed, serrated leaves and small (grape sized) fruit that look exactly like miniature watermelons. In flavor, Mexican sour gherkin cucumbers ( Melothria scabra) are similar to cucumber with a fresh, tangy, succulent flavor.

Very rarely, you might find cucamelons at the farmers' market, but they can fetch up to $20 a pound! The price alone makes it worth growing cucamelons for yourself. They're an easy crop; the vines are very productive, and they're rarely troubled by the many insects and diseases that plague cucumbers.

You can grow one or two plants in a 5 to 7-gallon size pot (12-14 inches container). A 24 inches pot is good for growing 3-4 cucamelon vines. Make sure that the container has sufficient drainage holes. Use potting soil that is rich in organic matter.