WATERMELON Seeds, Crimson Sweet

Crimson Sweet (Citrullus lanatus) is a popular heirloom watermelon with a light-green, dark-striped rind and crisp, sweet, bright-red flesh. A widely grown variety prized for high sugar content and reliable yields.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Citrullus lanatus 'Crimson Sweet'
• Type: Heirloom, open-pollinated watermelon
• Days to maturity: about 85 days
• Fruit size: commonly 20 to 25 pounds
• Sun: Full sun
• Spacing: hills 6 feet apart
• Planting depth: 1 inch

Best for

• Fresh summer slices
• Fruit salads and trays
• Juices and smoothies
• Picnics and cookouts
• Home and market growing

How to grow

Direct sow 1 inch deep in warm soil after all danger of frost, in hills with room for the vines to run. Grow in full sun in rich, well-drained soil and water deeply and consistently, reducing water as the fruit ripens to boost sweetness. Harvest when the ground spot turns creamy yellow and the curly tendril near the fruit dries.

Flavor profile

Sweet, crisp, and juicy with firm flesh that holds up well in salads.

About 99Heirlooms

99Heirlooms specializes in non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds chosen for flavor and reliability, so you can grow proven varieties and save seed season after season.

Sold by 99Heirlooms.com, based in Saint Paul, Minnesota.