How much sun does Creeping-cucumber need?

Creeping-cucumber grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Creeping-cucumber bloom?

Creeping-cucumber blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Creeping-cucumber native?

Creeping-cucumber (Melothria pendula) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 16 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Creeping-cucumber attract?

Creeping-cucumber draws bees and beetles.

Is Creeping-cucumber HOA-friendly?

Creeping-cucumber takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Creeping-cucumber

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Melothria pendula

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Creeping-cucumber (Melothria pendula) 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

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–96" H × 24"–120" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 16 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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 area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Creeping-cucumber is a native annual vine that produces small yellow flowers from summer through early fall, followed by tiny cucumber-like fruits. This climbing plant can reach up to 8 feet in length and works well as ground cover or trailing over structures. The delicate foliage and small fruits add interesting texture to naturalized areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Creeping-cucumber takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Sprawling vine growth can appear uncontrolled
May look weedy or untidy to traditional gardeners
Annual nature means gaps in coverage during establishment

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the long blooming season from June through September. Small birds may eat the tiny fruits in late summer and fall.

Common questions

How much sun does Creeping-cucumber need?: Creeping-cucumber grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Creeping-cucumber bloom?: Creeping-cucumber blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Creeping-cucumber native?: Creeping-cucumber (Melothria pendula) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 16 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Creeping-cucumber attract?: Creeping-cucumber draws bees and beetles.
Is Creeping-cucumber HOA-friendly?: Creeping-cucumber 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.

See all plant problem guides

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