Balsam Gourd
Ibervillea lindheimeri
Last reviewed: June 2026
Toxicity unknown
Balsam Gourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
72"–240" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
NM, OK, TX
Pollinators
nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Balsam Gourd is a native Texas vine that grows 6-20 feet tall with small white to yellow flowers blooming from spring through summer. This drought-tolerant climber goes dormant in winter and produces small gourd-like fruits that wildlife enjoy.
In an HOA neighborhood
Balsam Gourd takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Requires support structure
- Can appear messy
Wildlife value
The long blooming period from March through August provides nectar for various insects including bees and butterflies. Birds and small mammals eat the small fruits that develop after flowering.
Common questions
- How much sun does Balsam Gourd need?
- Balsam Gourd grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Balsam Gourd bloom?
- Balsam Gourd blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Balsam Gourd native?
- Balsam Gourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri) is native to NM, OK, TX, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Balsam Gourd attract?
- Balsam Gourd draws nectar insects.
- Is Balsam Gourd HOA-friendly?
- Balsam Gourd takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Balsam Gourd? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
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