Honeydew Planting Guide
Honeydew melons have smooth, pale green rinds and sweet, light green flesh. They require a long, warm growing season and are slightly more heat-tolerant than cantaloupe.
Cucumis melo var. inodorus · Fruit · Cucurbitaceae family · 80–110 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Honeydew Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Honeydew?
Honeydew Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Honeydew planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | Aug 26 – Oct 7 |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | Aug 21 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | Aug 8 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | Aug 1 – Sep 12 |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | Jul 24 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | Jul 17 – Aug 28 |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | Jul 8 – Aug 19 |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | Jul 1 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | Jun 21 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | Jun 10 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | May 19 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | May 3 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 9 – May 21 |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 9 – May 21 |
| Zone 11a | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 9 – May 21 |
| Zone 11b | — | — | Jan 15 | Apr 9 – May 21 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Honeydew is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Honeydew benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Honeydew
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 4a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
80–110 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Honeydew
Honeydew matures in just 80–110 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Honeydew
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Honeydew
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before transplanting. Plant on raised mounds of rich soil. Harvest when the blossom end gives slightly when pressed and the skin turns creamy yellow.
Saving Honeydew Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Level Up Your Garden
Honeydew by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Honeydew?
Honeydew (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) takes 80 to 110 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Honeydew grow in?
Honeydew can be grown in USDA zones 4a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Honeydew need?
Growing Honeydew requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.