Chayote
Sicyos edulis
Formerly Sechium edule
Also known as Christophine, Cho-cho, Vegetable-pear
Climate Match for your location
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Chayote is a vigorous, fast-growing tropical vine that produces pear-shaped, edible fruits and edible tubers. It requires sturdy trellising and warm conditions but yields prolifically in suitable climates.
Why grow it
Chayote offers dual harvests from a single planting: both aerial fruits and underground tubers, providing extended productivity compared to typical annual vegetables. The vine produces prolifically in warm climates with minimal fertilizer once established, making it well-suited to permaculture systems where perennial food sources are preferred. Compared to other tropical vines like passion fruit or winged bean, chayote tolerates a slightly wider temperature range and produces edible tubers, adding value in the off-season when fruit production slows.
Watch out for
Chayote vines grow aggressively and require substantial, sturdy support structures from the outset, as mature plants become heavy and difficult to manage if not properly trellised. The tubers can be slow to establish in the first year, sometimes taking 18 months or longer before reaching harvestable size. In marginal climates, flowering may be delayed or inconsistent, reducing fruit yield in cooler growing seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
Native Range
Central America (Mexico and Guatemala)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
The most common cultivar is the light-green to pale fruit type, prized for tender young shoots and fruits. Dark-green and spiny varieties also exist but are less widely cultivated in temperate regions.
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Chayote is a vigorous, fast-growing tropical vine that produces pear-shaped, edible fruits and edible tubers. It requires sturdy trellising and warm conditions but yields prolifically in suitable climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Chayote grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Chayote offers dual harvests from a single planting: both aerial fruits and underground tubers, providing extended productivity compared to typical annual vegetables. The vine produces prolifically in warm climates with minimal fertilizer once established, making it well-suited to permaculture systems where perennial food sources are preferred. Compared to other tropical vines like passion fruit or winged bean, chayote tolerates a slightly wider temperature range and produces edible tubers, adding value in the off-season when fruit production slows.
Watch out for
Chayote vines grow aggressively and require substantial, sturdy support structures from the outset, as mature plants become heavy and difficult to manage if not properly trellised. The tubers can be slow to establish in the first year, sometimes taking 18 months or longer before reaching harvestable size. In marginal climates, flowering may be delayed or inconsistent, reducing fruit yield in cooler growing seasons.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
Native Range
Central America (Mexico and Guatemala)
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Climber
Vines that climb the layers above on a support.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar climbers you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
The most common cultivar is the light-green to pale fruit type, prized for tender young shoots and fruits. Dark-green and spiny varieties also exist but are less widely cultivated in temperate regions.