VegetablesBottle Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is an annual climbing vine grown from seed in full sun for its edible young fruit and hard-shelled ornamental gourds.
How to grow bottle gourd
Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.

Comparing Bottle Gourd vs. Lacinato Kale
The comparison
| Fact | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Annual | Biennial |
| Germination temperature | Not yet verified | 4–29 °C39–84 °F |
| Sowing depth | 1.5 cm⅝ in | 6 mm–1.5 cm¼–½ in |
| Spacing between plants | 0.9–1.8 m3–6 ft | 30–46 cm12–18 in |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate | Moderate |
| Containers | Not yet verified | Yes |
| Frost tolerance | Not yet verified | Hardy |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
VegetablesLagenaria siceraria
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is an annual climbing vine grown from seed in full sun for its edible young fruit and hard-shelled ornamental gourds.
How to grow bottle gourd
VegetablesBrassica oleracea var. palmifolia
Lacinato kale is a biennial, cool-season leafy vegetable with long, blue-green leaves. It grows best in full sun and can be planted from seed or seedlings in spring or fall.
How to grow lacinato kaleKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.


Bottle Gourd vs. Lacinato Kale vs. Acorn SquashAdd acorn squash as a third

Bottle Gourd vs. Lacinato Kale vs. Armenian CucumberAdd armenian cucumber as a third

Bottle Gourd vs. Lacinato Kale vs. ArtichokeAdd artichoke as a third
Bottle Gourd vs. Acorn SquashBottle Gourd against another vegetable
Lacinato Kale vs. Acorn SquashLacinato Kale against another vegetable
Bottle Gourd vs. Armenian CucumberBottle Gourd against another vegetableThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.