Honeydew melons have smooth, pale rinds and sweet green or orange flesh. They need a longer, warmer season than cantaloupe and, unlike cantaloupe, they do not slip from the vine when ripe, so knowing the other signs of ripeness matters. This page covers when to sow, how to give them the heat they need, how to water and feed the vines, and how to tell when a honeydew is ready.
Honeydew melon at a glance
| Type | Fruit |
|---|---|
| Season | Warm-season |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 36 in |
| Row spacing | 72 in |
| Per square foot | 1 per 9 sq ft |
| Seed depth | 1 in |
| Days to maturity | 80–110 from seed |
| How to start | Indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow in warm soil after last frost |
| Water | 1.5 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant honeydew
Honeydew needs warm soil, ideally 70°F, warm nights and 80 to 110 days of heat. Sow directly outdoors 1 to 2 weeks after your last spring frost once the soil has warmed, or start seeds indoors in individual pots 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost and transplant without disturbing the roots.
Check your last frost with the frost dates by ZIP code tool, and make sure your season is long enough with the growing season length calculator. In short-season regions, choose an early variety or grow cantaloupe instead.
How to plant honeydew
- Give it the hottest spot. At least 8 hours of sun. Warm the soil with black plastic for a week or two before planting in cooler regions.
- Use rich, well-drained soil. Work in compost. Low mounds help the soil warm and drain.
- Sow 2 or 3 seeds per spot. Plant 1 inch deep and thin to the strongest seedling.
- Give vines room. Use the spacing in the table above, and the plant spacing calculator to fit them in. Row cover early keeps plants warm and beetles off; remove it when flowers open.
Caring for honeydew
Water 1 to 2 inches a week at the base while vines grow, flower and set fruit. Once fruit reaches full size, cut back watering; less water in the final weeks gives sweeter melons. The garden watering calculator turns this into gallons.
Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer when vines start to run. Rest developing fruit on a board or straw. Healthy leaves make sweet fruit, so watch for mildew and pests.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Nasturtiums, marigolds, radishes, sunflowers, corn |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Potatoes; cucumbers and squash right beside them share pests and mildew |
Nasturtiums and radishes are said to deter cucumber beetles, and flowers bring in the bees melons need for pollination. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt | Striped or spotted yellow beetles; vines wilt suddenly | Use row cover until flowering and hand-pick beetles. See the pest identifier. |
| Powdery mildew | White, dusty patches on leaves | Choose resistant varieties, space for airflow and water at the base. |
| Fruit does not ripen | Melons stay hard and green as fall arrives | Season too short or too cool. Start indoors, warm the soil and choose early varieties. |
| Bland fruit | Ripe melons lack sweetness | Too much water near harvest, cool weather or lost leaves. Water less as fruit ripens. |
| Fruit rot | Soft spots where the melon touches soil | Rest fruit on a board or straw. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Honeydew does not slip from the vine, so look for other signs. A ripe honeydew's rind changes from green-white to creamy white or pale yellow, and turns from smooth to slightly waxy or tacky. The blossom end gives slightly when pressed and smells sweet, and the tendril nearest the fruit often dries.
Cut the melon from the vine with pruners, leaving a short stem. Honeydew can finish softening at room temperature for a few days, though it will not get much sweeter. Refrigerate once cut. Use the harvest date calculator to estimate when to start checking.
Plan your honeydew
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant honeydew melons?
Space honeydew melons 36 inches apart in rows 72 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 1 per 9 sq ft.
How deep do I plant honeydew seeds?
Sow seeds 1 inch deep. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per spot and thin to the strongest seedling.
How long do honeydew melons take to grow?
Most varieties are ready 80–110 days from seed. Check the seed packet, because early and late varieties differ.
How much water do honeydew melons need?
About 1.5 inches of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Cut back watering once the fruit reaches full size.
How do I know when a honeydew melon is ripe?
The rind turns creamy white or pale yellow and feels slightly waxy, the blossom end gives a little and smells sweet. Honeydew does not slip off the vine like cantaloupe.
Is honeydew harder to grow than cantaloupe?
It needs a longer, warmer season, often 80 to 110 days. In cooler regions, start seeds indoors, warm the soil and choose early varieties.