Banana Melon

Banana Melon is a uniquely shaped heirloom from the mid-1800s, sweet without the muskiness of cantaloupe and giving off a pleasant banana aroma. Vines produce 3 to 6 elongated fruits weighing 5 to 8 pounds each, with thin skin so very little is wasted, plus a shelf life around a week and a half longer than common melons.

At a glance

• Variety: Banana Melon
• Type: Heirloom, non-GMO, dates to mid-1800s
• Fruit: Elongated, 5 to 8 pounds, yellowish-green flesh
• Yield: 3 to 6 melons per vine
• Strength: Thin skin and long shelf life
• Sun: Full sun

Best for

• Fresh summer eating
• Seed saving
• Beginner melon gardeners
• Smaller garden spaces
• Gardeners who love unusual varieties

How to grow

Direct sow after the last frost once soil has warmed, or start indoors a few weeks early. Give full sun and room to run, though these vines stay more compact and fast-growing than most melons. Largely self-maintaining once established, making them great for beginners.

Flavor profile

Sweet and clean without the muskiness of cantaloupe, with a distinctive banana fragrance.

About MIgardener

MIgardener is a Michigan-based company known for affordable heirloom seeds that help home gardeners grow more food from every packet.