How to grow Bitter Melon in Australia
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also called bitter gourd or fu qua, is a vigorous climbing vine grown for its warty green fruit, which are picked young and cooked in stir-fries, curries and soups. It loves heat and humidity, needs a strong trellis, and will not set fruit in cool weather.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Bitter Melon in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Marginal tropical; only in warm microclimates (Northern Beaches, Sutherland); shorter sow window than SEQ baseline. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Needs warmth. Sow from October to December into warm soil, as plants sown into cold soil will not fruit. Melbourne is too cold for it from May to September. |
| Adelaide & SA | October and November | Marginal. Sow Oct to Nov in a hot sheltered spot once soil warms. Yields are modest in dry heat; extra water helps. |
| Perth & WA | September and October | Sow Sep to Oct. Bitter melon needs a long warm run, so start it early; the vine dies off once winter cold arrives. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical vine needing constant warmth. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Bitter Melon unsuitable for Canberra: tropical vine; frost kills. Short warm window insufficient for long growing season. |
| North Queensland | March to August | Dry season Mar to Aug. The NT Government says Asian melons, bitter melon included, grow best in the dry season. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug. The NT Government says Asian melons, bitter melon included, grow best in the dry season; allow about 11 weeks to first picking. |
Where to plant
Grow bitter melon in full sun in warm, rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. It needs consistently warm weather; seed sown into soil below about 20°C is likely to rot, and plants sown into cold soil may never fruit. Give each plant a sturdy trellis, as the vines grow 2 to 4 m and the fruit is heavy.
In Australia it is grown commercially around Sydney, in Queensland and above all in the Northern Territory.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: sow from September or October through summer.
- North Queensland and Darwin: sow in the dry season, from March to August in North Queensland and April to August in Darwin. The Northern Territory Government notes that Asian melons, bitter melon included, perform best in the dry season.
- Sydney: best in warm coastal microclimates, sown from October to January.
- Perth: sow in September and October to give it a long warm run before autumn.
- Melbourne and Adelaide: marginal. Sow from October into warm soil in a hot, sheltered spot.
- Canberra and Hobart: not suitable; the warm season is too short.
How to plant
- Wait until the soil is warm, ideally 25°C or more.
- Soak the hard seed overnight to help it germinate, if you like.
- Sow 2 cm deep, two seeds per spot about 1 m apart at the base of the trellis, and keep the soil just moist.
- Thin to the strongest seedling, or raise seedlings in pots in warmth and plant them out once nights are warm.
- Tie the young vines onto the trellis early and guide them up.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly and deeply, especially once flowering starts, but do not keep the soil soggy. Mulch around the base.
Dig compost and a balanced fertiliser in before sowing, and side dress with a liquid feed every few weeks once the vines are flowering and fruiting.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pinch out the main growing tip once the vine reaches the top of the trellis, and pinch side shoots to encourage branching; side shoots carry much of the fruit.
- Bitter melon has separate male and female flowers. Male flowers open first, and female flowers, with a tiny fruit behind the petals, follow about a week later. If bees are scarce, transfer pollen from a male flower to a female flower with a small brush.
- In fruit fly areas, cover young fruit with fruit fly bags or exclusion netting soon after they set.
Harvesting
Pick fruit while they are young, green and firm, usually about 15 to 25 cm long depending on the variety, before the skin turns yellow and the seeds harden. Fruit become more bitter as they age, and ripe fruit split open to show red seed coats. Pick every few days to keep the vine producing.
Store picked fruit in the fridge and use them within a few days.
Growing in pots
Bitter melon can grow in a large pot, at least 40 cm wide, with a sturdy trellis or obelisk. Water often in hot weather and feed regularly while it fruits.
Using it
- Halve the fruit lengthways, scoop out the seeds and pith, and slice. Salting the slices and rinsing them, or blanching them, reduces the bitterness.
- Use it in stir-fries with egg or pork, in curries, soups and stuffed dishes.
Companion planting
Bitter melon shares a summer bed well with other heat lovers, as long as it has its own trellis.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Fruit fly is the main pest in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and around Perth. Powdery and downy mildew are the main diseases.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Sting marks on young fruit, which then rot and yellow early with maggots inside. Bag the fruit.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on shoot tips and under leaves.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew White, powdery patches on the leaves, worst late in the season.
- Downy mildew Angular yellow patches on the upper leaf with grey fuzz underneath in humid weather.
Common questions
When should I pick bitter melon?
When the fruit is young, green and firm, usually about 15 to 25 cm long, before the skin yellows and the seeds harden. Older fruit is more bitter and ripe fruit splits open.
Why are my bitter melon flowers not producing fruit?
The first flowers are all male, and female flowers follow about a week later. If female flowers drop, they probably were not pollinated. Hand pollinate with a small brush in the morning, and keep the plant warm and watered. Too much nitrogen fertiliser can also mean many male flowers.
How do you make bitter melon less bitter?
Scoop out the seeds and white pith, slice the fruit, then salt it for a while and rinse, or blanch it briefly before cooking. Picking fruit young also helps.
Can bitter melon grow in Melbourne?
It is marginal. Sow from October into warm soil in the hottest, most sheltered spot you have, and expect a shorter season. In Canberra and Hobart the warm season is too short.
How long does bitter melon take to grow?
Expect the first fruit about 11 to 12 weeks after sowing in warm weather, and then a steady supply if you pick every few days.
Does bitter melon need a trellis?
Yes. The vines grow 2 to 4 m and the fruit hangs better off the ground, so give it a sturdy trellis at least 1.8 m tall.
Sources we checked: AgriFutures: Bitter Melon in Australia; NT Government: Asian vegetables; The Seed Collection: Growing bitter melon; Harvest to Table: How to grow bitter melon.