10 Seeds Cyclanthera pedata Stuffing Cucumber Climbing Vegetable Vine Heirloom Garden

Cyclanthera pedata, commonly known as stuffing cucumber or achocha, is a vigorous climbing vine grown for its unusual, mild-flavored fruits. Native to the Andean region, this heirloom vegetable produces pale green, deeply ridged fruits that resemble small cucumbers with a hollow center, making them naturally suited for stuffing. The plant is prized by gardeners for its fast growth and its ability to cover trellises, fences, and arbors with lush foliage and delicate tendrils.
In the kitchen, the young fruits are typically hollowed and filled with rice, cheese, or meat mixtures, then baked or steamed, while very small fruits can be sliced fresh into salads. The vine thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, climbing readily when given support and rewarding growers with a long harvest season. Fruits are best picked while still tender and before the seeds harden inside the cavity.
Species: Cyclanthera pedata
Type: Annual climbing vine
Plant_Habit: Vigorous vining, 6 to 10 feet
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Well-drained, fertile loam
Days_to_Harvest: 80 to 100
Spacing: 24 to 36 inches
Germination: 7 to 21 days at 70 to 75F
Sowing: Start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last frost
Notes: Provide a trellis or support; harvest fruits young for best flavor