Long Calabash Bottle Gourd Seeds – Edible Bat-Shaped Asian Vegetable (100 Days)

A Long, Sweet Gourd Prized Across Asia and the Caribbean

This long calabash bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) produces dramatic bat-shaped fruits that are most tender and delicious when harvested at 14–24" long. At that immature stage, the light green skin is still soft and the white flesh inside is sweet, mild, and entirely edible — skin and all. Left to fully mature, the skin hardens and the dried gourd can be used for crafts and storage. A vigorous climbing vine with attractive white flowers, it’s a productive and versatile addition to any warm-season garden.

Highlights

• Long bat-shaped fruits — harvest tender at 14–24"
• Sweet, mild white flesh; fully edible when young
• Vigorous climbing vine with white flowers
• Warm season annual; matures in approx. 100 days
• Planting season: Late spring / early summer

In the Kitchen

Prepare long calabash as you would zucchini or summer squash — slice and sauté, add to soups and curries, stir-fry with garlic and oyster sauce, or steam as a simple side. A staple in Caribbean, Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cooking. Known as lauki (India), dudhi, and opo squash in various traditions.

Growing Guide

• Sow: Late spring/early summer after last frost in fertile, well-drained soil in a warm, sunny location
• Hill planting: 1-ft diameter mounds 3–4" tall; spaced 4–6 ft apart; 3 seeds per mound
• Support: Train on a vertical trellis for better air circulation, straighter fruits, and easier harvest
• Watering: Keep consistently moist; fertilize as needed
• Pollination: May need hand-pollinating
• Harvest: At 14–24" for tender eating; allow to fully dry for crafts and storage