Description
Birdhouse or “Bottle” Gourd Seeds 5335.
Hard-Shelled Craft Gourds Featuring Night-Blooming White Flowers and Timeless Utility.
Birdhouse or “Bottle” Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is a traditional open-pollinated vine celebrated for producing durable, hard-shelled gourds that can be dried and crafted into birdhouses, canteens, containers, and ornaments. Growing on vigorous, climbing or sprawling vines, this unique crop features beautiful white blossoms that open at dusk and remain open into the night, offering a magical visual treat when planted near patios or outdoor seating areas. Requiring a warm growing season of at least 100 days, these strong-vined cucurbits yield smooth, green, bottle-shaped fruits that cure into woody, long-lasting garden treasures.
Quick Seed Details
-
Product Code: 5335
-
Botanical Name: Lagenaria siceraria
-
Type: Open-Pollinated Annual Vine
-
Vine Length: Sprawling / Trellised (Space hills 2.4 m apart)
-
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 are warm-weather crops that require full sun, rich soil, consistent irrigation, and warm soil temperatures for successful germination and growth.
-
Direct Sowing (Recommended): Direct sow seeds outdoors in late May to early June once the soil has warmed thoroughly. Plant seeds 2.5 cm deep in raised hills spaced 2.4 m apart, placing 4 to 6 seeds per hill. After germination, thin to the 3 strongest plants per hill.
-
Indoor Starting: In short-season areas, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before your planned outdoor transplant date. Because gourds resent root disturbance, sow directly into biodegradable fibre or peat pots that can be planted whole. Keep pots in a warm, bright location.
-
Care & Placement: Work plenty of compost into the soil before planting. Vines can be allowed to spread across the ground or grown up a sturdy trellis. Plant near decks or patios to enjoy the night-blooming white flowers. Consistent irrigation is essential throughout the growing season.
Harvesting & Curing for Crafting
-
Harvest: Harvest gourds in autumn after the vines have fully withered, but before the first hard frost. Cut fruits from the vine leaving a portion of the stem attached, and handle carefully to avoid bruising.
-
Sterilization & Curing: Wash harvested gourds in a sterilizing solution of 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water. Hang gourds in a warm, dry spot or lay them on newspaper, turning them frequently. Curing takes 3 to 6 months.
-
Mold Management: Surface mold commonly appears during drying; simply wipe affected gourds with the bleach solution. Discard any gourds that develop soft spots or wrinkle during curing.
-
Readiness: The gourd is fully cured and ready for crafting into birdhouses or containers when it feels lightweight and the seeds rattle inside when shaken.
Why Birdhouse Gourd Seeds belong in Your Garden
If you enjoy home crafting, natural birdhouses, and unique night-blooming vines, Birdhouse “Bottle” Gourds are a rewarding addition to the summer garden. Their vigorous habit, stunning evening flowers, and long-lasting dried utility make them a favourite project crop for Canadian growers.
