Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native
Africa, probably Zimbabwe
Life Cycle
Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Height
Vine
Further Information
Growing Conditions
Frost Sensitive
About Speckled Swan Hard-shelled Gourd Seeds
Lagenaria siceraria
Speckled Swan' is a hard-shelled gourd. Mature gourds are bright green with light green speckles and are 14"–18" long with a 6" base. The round base tapers to a narrow, swan-like neck.
Planting Gourd
Plant Spacing
2 – 3 seeds per mound
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Vine
Planting Depth
1/2"–1"
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | 1/2"–1" |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | 2 – 3 seeds per mound |
| Thinning | When 3" tall, thin to 1 per mound |
| Germination | 6 – 10 days |
| Start Indoors | Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Add if it fits: Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60°F. |
| Direct Sow | RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°‒85°F. |
| Special Care | Grow gourds near a fence or a trellis; keeping the gourds off the ground will result in more consistent color and more well-shaped gourds. Alternatively, set gourds on a board, a stone, or some straw to keep them off the ground. Prune vines when they reach 8' to encourage branching and more gourd production. Remove any poorly shaped or rotting fruits to encourage more fruit production. |
| Growing & Harvesting | Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. (Some hard-shell gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds some color variation and character for craft projects, but results can be variable.) As soon as the vines are dead and the gourds’ skin has begun to turn an ivory color, cut them from the vine with a sharp knife or pruners, leaving 1"–3" of stem attached to the fruit for a handle. Choose only those that do not have cracked or broken skin. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 4 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
5 reviews
- Sharon T.AL, United StatesVerified ReviewerRated 5 out of 5 stars4/3/26The coolest gourd!
Grew these for the first time last year - these will definitely be an annual staple in the garden!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateWho do you grow for? YourselfHow do you prefer to grow? Raised BedBIBotanical Interests4/4/26Hey Sharon,
We're so excited to hear you're making the Speckled Swan Hard-shelled Gourd Seeds an annual staple in your garden! There's something so special about these unique gourds - they really are the coolest with their beautiful speckled patterns and interesting shapes. It's awesome that you had such a great first-time experience growing them that you're already planning for this year's crop! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Patricia V.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/28/245 Stars
First time growers for the birdhouse and gooseneck. Very excited!
- Tricia V.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars9/23/245 Stars
Botanical Interests is always my first choice in seed purchases! Best choice and best quality!
Which best describes you as a gardener? Expert - Kathryn D.Rated 3 out of 5 stars4/24/243 Stars
Super bummed our pack of speckled swan gourd seeds only included 5 when the package clearly states it should have ten. We were so excited to grow lots of these this year.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - FATIMAH G.Rated 5 out of 5 stars9/3/235 Stars
Beautiful gourds and lovely vine/leaves. The flowers opened in the evening, and I hand pollinated them because they weren’t getting pollinated naturally. And it worked!