Fruits· Citrullus lanatus
Watermelon Growing Guide
Large warm-season vine fruit. High water content, grown worldwide in tropical and temperate regions.
How Long Does Watermelon Take to Grow?
Watermelon is typically ready to harvest about 80 days after planting.
FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Soil Type & pH
Best soil types: sandy loam, loam
pH range: 6 - 7 (optimal: 6.5)
Drainage: excellent
Planting Guide
Yield & Economics
Growing Tips
Plant on raised beds for drainage
Thump test: hollow sound indicates ripeness
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Watermelon take to grow?
Watermelon typically takes 80 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 7 days. The best planting season is spring, summer.
What soil does Watermelon need?
Watermelon grows best in sandy loam, loam soil with a pH of 6-7. Excellent drainage is required.
What temperature does Watermelon need?
Watermelon grows best at 24-32°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.
What is the expected yield for Watermelon?
Across 124 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Watermelon range from 560 to 336,550 kg/hectare, with a median of 24,475. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.
Key Agronomy Terms
Core farming concepts, explained in plain language.
Get AI-Powered Watermelon Recommendations
WiseYield provides personalized growing recommendations, yield predictions, and disease detection for Watermelon and 220 other crops.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.