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About the speciesABOUT THE SPECIES — Ripe Cundeamor fruit freshly picked from the vine, for reference. You receive seeds for planting; fruit is not included.
Vegetables
Cundeamor (Bitter Melon) Seeds – Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia
Cundeamor • Bitter Melon • Bitter Gourd • Balsam Pear
$4.89for 25 Seeds
SEEDS
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You are purchasing Momordica charantia seeds for planting in the pack size you select. Fruit is not included. FREE SHIPPING on every quantity.
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Momordica charantia (Cundeamor / Bitter Melon) seeds for planting in packs of 25 to 1,000. Free shipping on every pack.
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- Carefully packed in Puerto Rico
- Detailed growing guide included
- Scientific name
- Momordica charantia L.
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Product type
- Seeds
- Habit
- Vigorous climbing vine with tendrils
- Season
- Warm season; frost-tender
- Light
- Full sun
- Support
- Trellis or fence recommended
In Puerto Rico it is Cundeamor — a vine seen climbing fences and roadside shrubs across the island. Elsewhere it is bitter melon, bitter gourd, karela or balsam pear, and it is one of the most widely cooked vegetables in South and Southeast Asia, China and the Caribbean.
It is a member of the squash and cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae, and grows as a fast, vigorous annual-type vine. Coiled tendrils grab any support; the leaves are deeply lobed; and bright yellow flowers appear along the stems, with separate male and female flowers on the same plant.
The fruit is unmistakable: an elongated, ridged and warty gourd, green when young and progressively yellow to orange as it matures. At full ripeness it splits open to reveal flat seeds wrapped in vivid scarlet, sweet-tasting arils.
The flesh of the green fruit carries the famous bitterness, which cooks tame by salting, blanching or stir-frying with strong flavors. Young fruit is used in stir-fries, curries, stuffed dishes and soups; young shoots are also cooked in some cuisines.
What You Receive
- Momordica charantia (Cundeamor) seeds in the selected quantity
- Seeds for growing — not a food supplement or medicine
- No cultivar or germination rate claimed
- Fruit is not included
- Free shipping
You are purchasing Momordica charantia seeds for planting in the pack size you select. Fruit is not included. FREE SHIPPING on every quantity.
Seeds for Planting
Photographs show the species for reference. You receive seeds only.
Germination depends on warmth and handling and is not guaranteed.
From seed to vine
Germinating Cundeamor
- 1
Soak
Soak seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours to soften the hard coat.
- 2
Sow
Sow about 1/2–1 inch deep, on edge, in a light, free-draining mix or directly beside a trellis in warm soil.
- 3
Keep warm
Germination needs warmth. Keep the mix evenly moist but not soggy; emergence is often uneven.
- 4
Grow on
Give seedlings full sun. Transplant carefully while young — cucurbit roots dislike disturbance.
- 5
Train
Guide the first tendrils onto a trellis; the vine will climb on its own from there.
CORRECT ✓
Warm soil, soaked seed, full sun, a sturdy trellis and steady watering.
AVOID ✕
Cold soil, waterlogged seed trays, late transplanting, and letting vines sprawl on wet ground.
Flowers and Pollination
Male flowers usually appear first; female flowers follow and are recognizable by the tiny warty fruit behind the petals. Bees and other insects move pollen between them. Hand-pollination with a male flower can help where pollinators are few.
Fresh fruit FAQ
Questions about fresh cacao pods
- Do the seeds need special treatment?
- The seed coat is hard. Many growers soak seeds in warm water overnight, or lightly nick the coat, to speed germination.
- When do I harvest for cooking?
- Most cooks pick fruit while it is still green and firm. As fruit turns yellow-orange it softens and becomes less suited to cooking.
- Is this a medicine?
- No. These are seeds for growing. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a claim that the plant treats any condition.
- How much space does it need?
- A single vine can cover several feet of trellis in a season. Provide a strong support at least 5–6 feet tall.
Harvest and Vine Management
Pick fruit regularly while green — frequent harvest encourages more fruit. Remove damaged leaves, keep the vine off wet soil, and trim overly long side shoots to keep the trellis airy.
Fresh fruit FAQ
Questions about fresh cacao pods
- Do the seeds need special treatment?
- The seed coat is hard. Many growers soak seeds in warm water overnight, or lightly nick the coat, to speed germination.
- When do I harvest for cooking?
- Most cooks pick fruit while it is still green and firm. As fruit turns yellow-orange it softens and becomes less suited to cooking.
- Is this a medicine?
- No. These are seeds for growing. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a claim that the plant treats any condition.
- How much space does it need?
- A single vine can cover several feet of trellis in a season. Provide a strong support at least 5–6 feet tall.
Traditional Uses & What Research Is Studying
Momordica charantia has a long history as a food and in traditional ethnobotanical practice in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Scientists have studied the plant and its compounds in areas including blood-glucose regulation, insulin-related mechanisms, lipid and metabolic health, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, antimicrobial and antiviral activity, and compounds examined in laboratory cancer research.
Much of this work is laboratory or animal research. Human clinical studies are limited and results have been inconsistent. These findings do not show that Cundeamor treats, cures or prevents any disease, and it is not a substitute for medical care.
Safety note: concentrated extracts or supplements may not be appropriate for everyone — particularly during pregnancy or for people taking blood-glucose-lowering medication. Talk to a healthcare professional before using such preparations.
Fresh fruit FAQ
Questions about fresh cacao pods
- Do the seeds need special treatment?
- The seed coat is hard. Many growers soak seeds in warm water overnight, or lightly nick the coat, to speed germination.
- When do I harvest for cooking?
- Most cooks pick fruit while it is still green and firm. As fruit turns yellow-orange it softens and becomes less suited to cooking.
- Is this a medicine?
- No. These are seeds for growing. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a claim that the plant treats any condition.
- How much space does it need?
- A single vine can cover several feet of trellis in a season. Provide a strong support at least 5–6 feet tall.
Common Mistakes
- Sowing in cold soil
- Skipping a trellis
- Letting fruit over-ripen on the vine when growing for the kitchen
- Overwatering seedlings
- Transplanting root-bound seedlings late
Fresh fruit FAQ
Questions about fresh cacao pods
- Do the seeds need special treatment?
- The seed coat is hard. Many growers soak seeds in warm water overnight, or lightly nick the coat, to speed germination.
- When do I harvest for cooking?
- Most cooks pick fruit while it is still green and firm. As fruit turns yellow-orange it softens and becomes less suited to cooking.
- Is this a medicine?
- No. These are seeds for growing. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a claim that the plant treats any condition.
- How much space does it need?
- A single vine can cover several feet of trellis in a season. Provide a strong support at least 5–6 feet tall.
Why grow it
Why grow Cundeamor?
Fast, productive warm-season vine
Striking warty fruit and red-aril seeds
Staple in Caribbean and Asian kitchens
Pack sizes from 25 to 1,000
Free shipping
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