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Cantaloupe growing in a garden
Annual vegetable

Cantaloupe plant profile

Cucumis melo

An annual vegetable for full sun.

Last updated .

When to plant

When to plant Cantaloupe

  1. Transplant outdoors

    at your last spring frost to 2 weeks after your last spring frost

  2. Direct sow

    at your last spring frost to 2 weeks after your last spring frost

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun
Planting depth
0.5 in
Lifecycle
Annual
Spacing
18 to 24 in apart, rows 72 in

Common problems

Watch for these

Also watch for: gummy stem blight, alternaria leaf blight.

By hardiness zone

Cantaloupe by zone

Planting dates for a typical location in each zone:

Browse 14 zone guides
Zone 3aZone 3bZone 4aZone 4bZone 5aZone 6aZone 6bZone 7aZone 7bZone 8aZone 8bZone 9aZone 9bZone 10a

Evidence trail

Evidence behind this profile

Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.

  1. Cantaloupe & Honeydew Melons (HGIC 1304)

    Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center. Supports direct-sowing timing (normalized), outdoor transplant timing (normalized), plant and row spacing (direct), planting depth (direct), and common problems (direct). Checked 2026-06-11.

  2. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) entry

    ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.