Description
Crown of Thorns Gourd Seeds 5340.
Compact Heirloom Vines Producing Eye-Catching, Multi-Coloured Gourds with Unique Claw-Like Projections.
Crown of Thorns Gourd (Cucurbita pepo) is an extraordinary open-pollinated ornamental variety prized for its distinctively shaped, small gourds featuring dramatic claw- or crown-like finger projections. Reaching about 10 cm across, the fruits display a stunning range of colours, including cream, yellow, warm orange, and rich green with decorative striping. Thanks to its relatively compact vine habit, Crown of Thorns is an excellent selection for smaller gardens or vertical trellising. The dried, hardened gourds make captivating autumn table centerpieces, decorative bowl displays, and seasonal crafts.
Quick Seed Details
-
Product Code: 5340
-
Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo ‘Crown of Thorns’
-
Type: Open-Pollinated Annual Vine
-
Fruit Size: Approx. 10 cm across
-
Plant Spacing: Space hills 2.4 m apart (or grow vertically on a trellis)
-
Light Requirement: Full Sun
-
Soil Preference: Deep, rich, organic, well-draining soil (pH 5.5–6.5)
-
Germination: 7–10 days in warm soil
-
Seed Depth: 2.5 cm deep
-
Seed Count: Approx. 10–11 seeds per packet (5–7 seeds per gram)
What you need to know to Plant & Grow
Gourds thrive in warm weather and require full sun, compost-rich soil, and careful handling during transplanting.
-
Direct Sowing (Recommended): Direct sow outdoors in late May to June once soil has warmed. Plant seeds 2.5 cm deep in hills spaced 2.4 m apart, placing 4 to 6 seeds per hill. Thin to the 3 strongest seedlings per hill after emergence.
-
Indoor Starting: Start seeds indoors 3 weeks before outdoor planting using fibre, paper, or peat pots to prevent root disturbance. Keep in a warm, well-lit location.
-
Vertical Growing: Excellent for small-space gardening—train vines up a sturdy trellis or fence to save ground space and keep maturing gourds clean and unblemished.
-
Harvesting: Gourds are ready for harvest when the attached vine stems turn brown, dry, and woody. Cut stems cleanly from the vine before hard frosts, leaving a small stem piece attached.
Why Crown of Thorns Gourd Seeds belong in Your Garden
If you want to grow striking, conversation-starting ornamental gourds for autumn displays, Crown of Thorns is a top choice. Its space-saving growth habit, high yield of multi-coloured fruits, and unique crown-like shapes make it a rewarding project crop for Canadian gardeners.
