Hercules Club

Family: Cucurbitaceae Ornamental / Edible

Sink your senses into Hercules Club’s lush, tender flesh and its quietly sweet, garden-fresh aroma—an impressive bottle gourd with a satisfying, crisp-yet-silky bite.

At maturity, the fruit forms a long, clubbed silhouette with a smooth, satiny skin that feels substantial in the hand and shines in the patch. Grow it for hearty, versatile uses in roasts, fresh preparations, and savory sauces, where its mild sweetness and refined texture shine.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Aug 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	70
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hercules Club bottle gourd brings that rare combo of mild sweetness and a crisp-yet-silky mouthfeel, so it doesn’t need heavy seasoning to taste complete. Use it hot—stir-fried or roasted—to let the edges brown, or shave it raw/pickled for that clean crunch that cuts through spice and richness.

Best Uses

quick stir-fries where it stays snappy rather than collapsing
roasting to caramelize edges while the center turns silky
savory soups and broths (stays pleasant, not grainy)
fresh, thin-sliced salads or quick pickles for crunch

Flavor Profile

mildly sweet, garden-fresh squash flavor crisp-to-velvety texture with a silky bite lightly nutty, clean gourd character tender when cooked, keeps shape without going watery

Kitchen Pairings

garlic ginger toasted cumin chile oil coconut milk lime

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common pests or diseases for Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd) and how do I control them?

Watch for powdery mildew, which shows as a white dusty coating on leaves, especially after humid periods. Improve airflow by spacing plants well and remove heavily infected leaves early, then spray with a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide at the first signs. Also monitor for cucumber beetles and squash bugs; use row cover until flowering and hand-remove eggs/bugs when you spot them, applying an insecticide only if feeding damage becomes evident.

How often should I water Lagenaria siceraria during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth and fruit filling (mid-season), keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base in the morning so the roots get moisture while foliage stays drier, and avoid letting the soil fully dry out for long periods because gourds may stall or miss their full size. A consistent mulch layer helps maintain steady moisture and reduces leaf disease pressure.

How can I tell when Lagenaria siceraria (Hercules Club) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the gourds reach full size (around 90 days) and the skin is firm and dull, not glossy, with a rind you can’t easily dent with a fingernail. The stem should look dry and corky where it meets the fruit; cut with a bit of stem attached to reduce rotting. Cure in a warm, dry, airy spot for 1–2 weeks before storing if you’re using them as dry gourds.