Jicaro Mexican calabash
Crescentia alatafam. Bignoniaceae
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Pl. 2182 — Crescentia alata
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IOverview
Overview
Jicaro Mexican calabash (Crescentia alata) is a tree native to the Central American and southern Mexican regions including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and various parts of Mexico. This plant thrives in full sun with a preference for dry to moist conditions, growing best in light, medium, or heavy soil types. Reaching heights of up to 8 meters, it is known for its edible fruit and seeds, making it both ornamental and useful as a food source. One distinctive feature of this tree is its large, calabash-like fruit, which can be used in various culinary applications.
Quick answers
What is Jicaro Mexican calabash?
Jicaro Mexican calabash (Crescentia alata) is a tree native to the Central American and southern Mexican regions including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and various parts of Mexico.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Jicaro Mexican calabash thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is drought-tolerant but will produce better with regular moisture. This tree grows up to 8 meters tall and is hardy in zones 9-12. Propagate via seed for new plants. The fruit and seeds are edible parts of the plant.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-12
Habit
Tree
Mature size
8.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Jicaro Mexican calabash for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, sunny spot and basic care for your Jicaro Mexican calabash.
- 1
What you'll need
A large pot or planting area, seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the last frost has passed.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil; amend with compost if needed. Ensure containers are at least 30 cm deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in place, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Transplant carefully to avoid damaging roots.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide partial shade if direct sun is too intense.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Fertilize lightly in spring and summer with a balanced organic fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune to shape the tree and remove dead branches as needed. Harvest fruits when they turn dark brown.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting pruning, not providing enough support for the growing tree.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FruitSeed
Edible uses: Oil
Other uses:oil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
11 native · 5 introduced
Distribution
11 native · 5 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 11 native· 5 introduced
Americas6 regions
native (5)Costa RicaEl SalvadorGuatemalaHondurasNicaragua
introduced (1)Puerto Rico
Africa1 region
introduced (1)Chad
Broader regions
native:Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Mexico Gulf
introduced:Leeward Is., Marianas, Panamá
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
2 related
See also
2 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Bignoniaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Bignoniaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
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Growing zone
XII
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