Botanical Interests
Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds
Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds
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Product Details
Product Details
Once properly cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as 'Birdhouse', can last for decades and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood, for hundreds of craft projects. 'Birdhouse' gourd of course makes a great birdhouse—leave natural or paint any color you want. Grow 10'–16' vines on the ground or up a very sturdy trellis to produce mature gourds in 80 to 140 days. Also attracts hummingbirds!
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 95–110 Days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Hard-Shelled Gourd
Native: Zimbabwe
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 10'–16' vines
Variety Info: Light green gourds have a 10"–12" diameter, round base with narrower neck. Turns tan when dried.
Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°F.
When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, recommended for areas with short growing seasons. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 days
Seed Depth: 1"
Seed Spacing: 4 seeds per mound
Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 3 per mound
Growing Info
Harvesting: Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. Some gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds to their characteristics for craft projects. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut stem leading to gourd, leaving 1"– 3" of stem for a handle.
- Heather H.Verified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 starsAug 29, 2025Plentiful and Beautiful
The seeds grow into a beautiful vine with gorgeous paper thin white flowers that attract hummingbirds. Several beautiful and sturdy gourds growing . Very plentiful, and going to try and make bird houses out of them .
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateEGEpic GardeningAug 29, 2025Hey Heather,
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful photos and experience with our Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds! We're so excited that you're planning to make actual birdhouses out of them - that's going to be such a rewarding project and those birds are going to love their new homes! There's something so special about growing your own functional garden art. We hope you'll share photos the birdhouses. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Patricia V.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsSep 25, 20245 Stars
Can't wait to try it again next year!
- Linda R.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 starsFeb 17, 20254 Stars
Weather still too cold so haven’t planted them yet. Seeds arrived on time & packing in good condition.
- Andrea H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJan 22, 20255 Stars
I have never grown these but they intrigue me. Very unique and I appreciate they can be used for a birdhouse.
- catVerified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsMay 9, 20225 Stars
I grew these in two different garden locations - the one with most direct sun had greater success, but not disappointed in the one adjacent to it - just the one in front blocked it a bit more. Initially, saw a few hummingbirds, but not many. My BIGGEST QUESTION is... we've had SO MUCH rain recently before the vines can dry, I wonder if that is going to hinder the process of being able to harvest these before they turn to mush. I have two smaller gourds that are definitely dry, but I don't hear seeds in them. I left them outside, sadly in the rain because I was distracted by a severe cut/bleeding finger and ran into the house; but hoping they might dry and be OK. I have SO MANY, I was hoping to give them to family and friends to be painted and used. Sure hope they survive.
