Coyote Gourd
Cucurbita palmata
Last reviewed: September 2026
Cucurbita palmata is a drought tolerant desert vine with yellow blooms from June through September, thriving in full sun across the arid Southwest.
Toxicity unknown
Coyote Gourd (Cucurbita palmata) 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
12"–72" H × 24"–120" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AZ, CA, NV, UT
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Coyote gourd is a sprawling annual vine that produces bright yellow flowers from summer through fall, followed by small striped gourds. This drought-tolerant native can spread extensively across the ground or climb nearby supports, making it ideal for covering large areas with minimal water.
Growing Coyote Gourd
Grow Coyote Gourd in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 72 inches tall and spread 24 to 120 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Coyote 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.
- Aggressive spreading habit can appear uncontrolled
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare ground
- Wild, weedy appearance throughout growing season
Wildlife value
The bright yellow blooms attract native bees and beetles during the long flowering season. The seeds and gourds provide food for wildlife, while the extensive foliage offers shelter for small animals.
Common questions
- What growing conditions does Cucurbita palmata need?
- This vine does best in full sun with low water once established, making it suited to hot, dry sites such as washes and sandy desert flats.
- When does Cucurbita palmata bloom?
- Flowering typically runs from June through September, with large yellow blossoms opening in the morning.
- What pollinates Cucurbita palmata?
- The flowers are visited mainly by specialist squash bees and various beetles, which are drawn to the pollen and nectar of the large yellow blooms.
- Is Cucurbita palmata evergreen or does it die back?
- It is a deciduous vine that dies back to the root each year and regrows from its perennial rootstock the following growing season.
- Is Coyote Gourd HOA-friendly?
- Coyote Gourd takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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 Coyote 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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