Fluted pumpkin (ugu)

Telfairia occidentalis

A climbing gourd grown for its leaves, the green of edikang ikong; the huge ribbed fruit holds edible seeds.

Type: vine · perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
Hardiness: zones 10 to 12
Light: full sun
Size: about 20 ft tall, 10 ft wide
Harvest: year-round
From: Southern Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.

Good for: food, pollinators.

Native to: West & Central African forests. Hardy in zones 10 to 12.

The story

Ugu is a climbing gourd of southern Nigeria grown mainly for its leaves, the green behind edikang ikong and many Igbo and Efik soups. Its giant ribbed fruit holds big seeds that are boiled and eaten.

Planting

Full sun on a strong trellis or a frame of poles; rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Plant whole seeds at the start of the rains.

Growing

Pinch the tips to harvest and the vine keeps branching. Male and female plants are separate, so grow several for fruit.

Harvest and use

Pick tender shoots and leaves every week or two; the fruit takes months to ripen.

What to watch for

Frost-tender and thirsty in dry spells. The fruit is heavy, so support it well.

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More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs

General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home