Momordica

( moh - MOR - dee - kuh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes annual and perennial climbing vines and some small shrubs that are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Some species are cultivated for their fruits, which are green, orange or red in color and often prickly or warty; they are commonly called Bitter Melons. Some species have fruits that will burst open when ripe and send seeds flying outward from the parent plant. Grow these vines as specimens in the landscape, or as members of edible gardens. These vines are also ideal for screening. Take care when planting Momordica in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Momordica Species and Varietals

The genus Momordica is a member of the plant family Cucurbitaceae, and includes around 60 species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Cucumis (Cucumbers and Melons), Citrullus (Watermelon), Luffa, and Lagenaria (Bottle Gourd). The best growing zones for Momordica plants vary depending on the species grown. For more growing information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Momordica balsamina (African Cucumber, Balsam Apple, Balsam Pear, Balsamina, Cacana, Nkaka, Garahuni, Garafuni, Bitter Melon, Southern Balsam Pear, African Pumpkin)
These tendril-producing annual vines are native to tropical regions of Africa, and have been introduced to (and are invasive in) Asia, Australia, Central America, and North America. Vines reach up to 16 feet long, and produce pale yellow flowers. Fruits that follow are round, warty and bright orange, bursting apart when mature. Fruits and leaves are used as a soap substitute, and plant sap can be used as a metal cleaner and arrow poison. Best in USDA zones 9a-11b. Each plant can produce between 10 and 12 fruits. 90 DTM.

Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon, Cerassee, Goya, Bitter Apple, Bitter Gourd, Bitter Squash, Balsam-Pear, Karavila, Ampalaya)
This tropical and subtropical vining plant is widely cultivated in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruits. They are native to Africa, and represent a staple food for hunter-gatherers in the region. Vines produce tendrils and bloom from June through July, producing fruit in September through November in the plant's native range. Fruits are warty on the exterior, and is often eaten when green. Flesh is crunchy, watery, and similar to Cucumber or green Bell Pepper. Young shoots and leaves can also be eaten as greens. Best in USDA zones 9-11. 75 DTM. This species is considered invasive in Florida, Hawai'i, and Texas in the United States, Guam and other Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia.

Momordica cochinchinensis (Gac, Spiny Bitter Cucumber, Chinese Bitter Cucumber)
These plants are native to southeast Asia and Queensland, Australia. It forms a perennial climbing vine that can reach up to 50 feet long. Flowers are yellow with black centers. Fruits are round and bright orange to bright red in color, covered with small spines on the skin. They contain numerous seeds encased in bright red arils. They are consumed ripe, cooked alongside rice, and are also used as food and beverage dyes. Immature green fruits are also sometimes consumed. Grows well in USDA zones 10a-11. 308 DTM. This species is considered invasive in Florida (United States).

Momordica dioica (Spiny Gourd, Spine Gourd, Bristly Balsam Pear)
This species spreads via underground tubers, and produces small leaves and yellow flowers. Fruits are small, dark green and round to oval. Fruits are cultivated in India and south Asia as a vegetable, fried and sometimes eaten with meat or fish. Mature plants typically produce stems that reach just under 10 feet long. Best in USDA zones 9-11. 120 DTM. This species is considered invasive in South Korea.

Caring for Momordica

Momordica, Bitter Melon, or Gac plants are typically grown from seed, and are not typically available at nurseries. They are vining plants, and will need some sort of structure to climb, such as a trellis or arbor. They are tropical vines, so they will need shelter from cool, drying winds and prefer a somewhat humid environment. They can do very well in greenhouses. Daytime temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds when soil temperatures have warmed up to at least 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit, or sow indoors and transplant out after weather has warmed. These plants do not transplant well after their root system has established, and it is best to get transplants out as young as possible or simply direct-sow. Space plants 12 inches apart. Choose a location in the garden that receives full sun; ideally, they like to get between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day for best production. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.7 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these vines like to have consistently moist soil to produce full, flavorful fruits.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Once plants reach the top of their designated structure, prune or pinch them back. Long, lower lateral branches should also be cut back to encourage a bushier habit to form. The best time to cut back is just as the first female flowers are emerging on vines (they will emerge after male flowers). These plants are typically grown as annuals, though in more tropical climates they are considered to be perennials. For annually-grown plants, pull them at the end of the growing season and throw them in the compost bin.

Growing Momordica in Containers
Growing these tropical vines in containers is a good idea if you are cultivating them in a temperate or cool area. Choose a container that can hold at least 5 gallons of soil. The larger the container, the better. Ensure that the container you choose has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to avoid issues with soggy soil and root rot. Fill with well-draining potting soil amended with plenty of organic material such as compost to increase nutrient load. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these vines like to have consistently moist soil to produce full, flavorful fruits. Momordica vines grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. Prune to keep a manageable size and to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased foliage. After the growing season, plants can be removed and composted, or the container can be moved to a warm location to overwinter.

How to Harvest Momordica
Momordica plants produce a variety of different fruits, including Gac, Bitter Melon, and African Cucumber, depending on the species grown. Fruits are typically stuffed with pork or shrimp, pickled, added to curries, or served with meat or in soups. Bitter Melons are bitter, hence their common name, and have a bit of an acquired taste of Grapefruit or unsweetened dark chocolate. Gac fruits, on the other hand, are mild-tasting, almost bland, and have a slightly sweet flavor. They are commonly used to flavor and color sticky rice. To ensure fruit production, pollinators will need to be present and active. Otherwise, flowers can be hand-pollinated. Regular watering is also necessary for fruit production; vines that are kept on the dry side may not produce fruits at all. Fruits on vines that climb vertically will grow longer and straighter than those allowed to simply grow along the ground. Harvesting fruits is simple; wait until they are ripe (have their full color and size) and then remove them from the plant, cutting their stem with sharp, clean shears or snips. They can be stored in the refrigerator and used within 3 to 5 days of harvest. These fruits should be stored away from others to avoid speeding up the ripening process.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Momordica, or Bitter Melon, plants can be propagated by cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Bitter Melon vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Momordica by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 8-10 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Momordica by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Momordica seeds are contained inside of the edible fruits.

Momordica seeds are interestingly-shaped and have rough seed coats.

Problems and Pests

Certain Momordica species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Momordica plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests: