Cucurbita pepo

Cucurbita pepo — la versatile specie di zucca da cui derivano zucchine, zucche estive e molte varietà da intaglio, una delle colture più antiche delle Americhe. Al centro della nostra gamma di zucche e cucurbitacee.

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Cucurbita pepo — courgettes, marrows and pumpkins

Cucurbita pepo is one of the most versatile species in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), covering courgettes, summer squash, marrows, many pumpkins and ornamental gourds. It runs right through our gourds and squash range, especially the summer squash and courgettes.

History & origin

Cucurbita pepo is one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. It was domesticated in what is now Mexico and the southern United States around 10,000 years ago — older than maize in the region — making squash one of the founding crops of the Americas. Indigenous peoples grew it as one of the “Three Sisters” alongside beans and corn, valuing both the flesh and the protein-rich seeds. After 1492 it spread quickly around the world.

The name comes from Cucurbita, the Latin for gourd, and pepo, from a Greek word for a large, ripe melon.

Botanical characteristics

A vigorous annual, the species ranges from compact bush courgettes to sprawling vines, all bearing large yellow flowers (themselves edible) followed by fruit of astonishing variety. Soft-skinned types — courgettes, patty pans, marrows — are eaten young; firmer pepo pumpkins and acorn squash store for a while. It overlaps closely with its relatives Cucurbita maxima and Cucurbita moschata, the other main squash species.

Growing Cucurbita pepo from seed

These are hungry, thirsty, frost-tender plants. Sow after the last frost into rich soil, or start in pots a few weeks early, and water deeply at the roots since wet leaves invite mildew. Pick courgettes small and often to keep them coming; let pumpkins ripen hard before the first frost. Our vegetable sowing calendar and soil guide set you up for a heavy crop.

Ready to grow squash? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Courgette · Summer Squash · Pumpkin · Gourds & Squash · Winter Squash

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cucurbita pepo?
A squash species covering courgettes, summer squash, marrows and many pumpkins and gourds.

Where does it originate?
From Mexico and the southern United States, domesticated around 10,000 years ago.

What does the name mean?
Cucurbita is Latin for gourd and pepo comes from a Greek word for a large, ripe melon.

How is it different from other squash?
Pepo gives most of the soft summer types; maxima and moschata give the winter storers.

How do I grow it?
Sow after frost into rich soil, water deeply at the roots, and pick courgettes small and often.