How to Grow Chayote
Sechium edule
Chayote is a vigorous tropical climbing vine grown for its pear-shaped fruits. Unlike most vegetables, the whole fruit is planted — place it half-buried on its side in warm compost indoors before the last frost. It needs a strong trellis and plenty of space as it will quickly cover several square metres. Once established, it is a heavy feeder and drinker. Harvest fruits young and regularly to keep the vine producing. Shoots and young leaves are also edible and can be cooked like spinach.
In your Leaftide garden - Hardiness
- Tender
- Season
- Warm Season
- Harvest
- Continuous Harvest
- Spacing
- 250 cm
- Height
- 400 cm
- Sow depth
- 5 cm
- Min. soil temperature
- 15°C+
- Start from
- Seed
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- High
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 12°C and soil has warmed to at least 15°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season once the vine is established.
- The whole fruit is planted — not seeds. Place the entire fruit on its side, half-buried, in a warm spot indoors before the last frost. The entire plant is edible — fruit, shoots, leaves, and tuberous roots.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 15°C+
- Germination temperature
- 20–30°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 250 cm |
| Row spacing | 300 cm |
| Sow depth | 5 cm |
| Mature height | 400 cm |
| Mature spread | 300 cm |
A very vigorous climbing vine that needs strong support and generous space. One or two plants will easily cover a large trellis or fence.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of small insects on new growth and undersides of leaves, sticky residue on leaves
- Strong water spray to dislodge
- Insecticidal soap
- Encourage natural predators (ladybirds, lacewings)
- Approved systemic insecticides
Pest Spider Mites
Identification: Fine webbing on leaves, yellowing or stippled foliage, especially in hot dry conditions
- Increase humidity around plants
- Insecticidal soap or neem oil spray
- Remove heavily infested growth
- Miticide spray
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, more common late in the season or in dry conditions
Treatment: Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation
Prevention: Good spacing for airflow, water at soil level, avoid overhead watering
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Wilting despite adequate watering, yellowing leaves, rotting at the base of the stem
Treatment: Improve drainage, reduce watering frequency
Prevention: Ensure free-draining soil, never allow water to pool around roots
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 15°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–30°C |
| Base growth temperature | 12°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | short day |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Chayote?
- Plant Chayote 250cm apart with 300cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Chayote?
- Chayote is ready to harvest approximately 120 days after transplanting.
- Is Chayote frost hardy?
- Chayote is classified as Tender.