Botanical Interests
Charentais Cantaloupe Melon Seeds
Charentais Cantaloupe Melon Seeds
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Product Details
Product Details
Charentais' melons aren't found in your grocery store because they're too fragile to ship. A true cantaloupe, the 1 ½–2-pound fruits have smooth skin with light green stripes, maturing to creamy yellow. The delightfully scented, creamy orange flesh is filled with unsurpassed flavor. One of the sweetest rewards of home gardening!
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- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 90 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Cantaloupe (Learn more)
Native: Africa, Asia, Australia, West Pacific Islands
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 4'–5' sprawling vines.
Variety Info: Charentais' is about 1½ pounds, and the size of a small grapefruit. The skin is smooth and light green, with bands of darker green from the stem to the bottom. 'Charentais' is a type of true cantaloupe bred in France around 1920. It has deep orange flesh and a spicy, delicate aroma. The fruits' tender fragility makes shipping difficult; this is why we don't see them in the local grocery stores.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–90°F.
When to Start Inside: Recommended for short-season areas. 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting within 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Sow into biodegradable pots that can be directly planted in the ground; roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ¼"
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Row Spacing: 4'–6' apart
Thinning: Thin to 1 plant per mound
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvesting at the right time is very important with melons. Commercial growers harvest before melons are ripe, forcing them to ripen off the vine. But, the last few days of ripening on the vine put a lot of sugars into the melon; bottom line is that melons taste significantly better when vine ripened. How do you know when melons are ripe? Several indicators. 1) The color of 'Charentais' changes from pale green to creamy yellow. 2) The blossom end (opposite the stem) yields slightly to gentle pressure. 3) Unlike muskmelons, 'Charentais' and other cantaloupes do not abscise, or slip from the vine when ripe; cut from vine, rather than pulling or twisting, to avoid damaging plant and fruit.
- Rebecca L.Rated 5 out of 5 starsAug 20, 20235 Stars
We grew these about 10 years ago in zone 6a. They were amazing! Finally getting back to it this year and I'm excited to say that I have 5 plants that are all doing great, and many have baseball sized fruit on them now. I can't wait!
- DAN V.OH, United StatesVerified BuyerRated 3 out of 5 starsSep 22, 2025yum
I had a total of 2-3 plants grow from the seeds. There was 1 canteloupe. It was the size of a man's fist. Quite tasty! Had to be picked due to gnaw marks from some animal. Partially my fault with a late start date (we moved house not long before).
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? In GroundEGEpic GardeningSep 29, 2025Hey Dan,
Thank you for sharing your experience with the Charentais Cantaloupe Melon Seeds! Despite the late start and the challenges that come with moving, it sounds like you still managed to grow a delicious melon - and that's no small feat!
Charentais melons are known for their incredible flavor, so we're thrilled you got to experience that authentic French cantaloupe taste, even from a smaller fruit. Sometimes the smaller melons can actually be more concentrated in flavor, which it sounds like you discovered!
Late planting can definitely impact vine development and fruit size, but the fact that you got flowering, fruit set, and a tasty harvest shows your plants were doing well given the circumstances. As for those gnaw marks - ah, the eternal gardener's struggle with wildlife! At least you got to enjoy it before they finished it off.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback, especially during what sounds like a busy season with your move. Here's to better timing and hopefully even more melons next season!
Keep on growing 🌻️
- LAURA J.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsNov 18, 20245 Stars
Love this melon. Can’t wait to grow one!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Barbara M.Verified BuyerRated 3 out of 5 starsSep 20, 20243 Stars
The weather here this summer was not conducive to grow this delicate melon
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Simon R.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsJul 9, 20245 Stars
First time for growing Charantais melons. The plants have been vigorous, many flowers, and now a reasonable fruit set. Melons should be ripe soon.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
