How Long Does It Take For Watermelon To Grow?

So, you’ve planted your watermelon seeds, maybe even checked out our guides on the best time to plant watermelon and how to plant watermelon in Nigeria. Now comes the waiting game! One of the most common questions I hear is, how long does it take for watermelon to grow? It feels like forever when you’re eagerly anticipating those sweet fruits, doesn’t it? Understanding the typical watermelon growth timeline is super important for planning your farming season, from knowing when to start your seeds to predicting your harvest window. And when that time comes, you’ll need to know how to know when watermelons are ready to pick.

Knowing how long does it take for watermelon to grow isn’t just about satisfying your curiosity. It helps you time your fertilizer applications (watermelon fertilizer guide-what fertilizer is best for watermelons), manage irrigation effectively, and even anticipate potential watermelon growing problems. Let’s break down the journey from a tiny seed to a ripe, ready-to-eat watermelon!

Understanding the Watermelon Growth Timeline – How Long Does It Take For Watermelon To Grow?

The journey of a watermelon is a fascinating process, moving through distinct stages.

The Average Days to Maturity

When people ask, “how long does it take for watermelon to grow?“, they usually mean the time from planting to when the first fruits are ready to pick.

• General range: The average watermelon maturity time falls somewhere between 70 and 100 days. You might find some early varieties that are ready in about 65 days, while some larger or later varieties could take up to 120 days, as noted by resources like the FAO. The Watermelon Board also mentions a crop is typically ready within 3 months.
• Mention this varies significantly by variety: This is a big one! The variety you choose (what are the varieties of watermelon in Nigeria) is a major factor in how long it takes. Always check the seed packet for the “days to maturity” specific to your chosen variety. For example, the ‘Moon and Stars’ variety is listed at 95-100 days (UNH Extension), while some early varieties can be 65-80 days (UMN Extension).

Why the Timeline Varies

So, why isn’t there just one simple answer? Well, several things play a role in how fast do watermelons grow?

Briefly list the main influencing factors:

• Climate and weather conditions (especially heat and sunlight).
• Soil health and nutrients (which type of soil is best for watermelon).
• Consistent watering.
• The specific variety planted.
• Whether you start from seed or transplant.

These factors interact to determine your actual watermelon growth speed.

Breaking Down the Watermelon Growth Stages – How Long Does It Take For Watermelon To Grow?

Let’s look at the journey from seed to ripe fruit, stage by stage. Understanding these steps helps you appreciate the watermelon growth cycle. According to the FAO, the growth periods for an 80 to 110-day watermelon include establishment, vegetative growth, flowering, yield formation (fruit filling), and ripening.

Stage 1: Germination and Early Seedling Appearance

This is where it all begins!

What happens

The seed absorbs moisture and sprouts. A tiny root emerges, followed by the first leaves (called cotyledons), which provide initial energy. Then, the first “true” leaves appear, looking more like tiny watermelon leaves.

Duration

Typically takes about 7 to 10 days from the day you sow the seed, provided the soil temperature is warm enough (ideally 70-85°F or 21-29°C). UGA Cooperative Extension notes germination is best between 68-95°F and emergence takes about 5 days at 77°F. Cooler soil will significantly slow this down, and planting below 60°F is not recommended (Penn State Extension).

What a young plant looks like

Initially, you’ll see the two oval-shaped cotyledon leaves. Soon after, small, lobed true leaves will emerge from the center. The plant will be very small and delicate at this point, with a thin stem.

Stage 2: Vine Development and Leaf Growth

After getting established, the plant focuses on building its engine for photosynthesis.

What happens

The plant puts most of its energy into growing long vines and large leaves. This leafy canopy is essential for capturing sunlight, which provides the energy needed for flowering and fruiting later on.

Duration

This vine growth stage can take around 20 to 30 days after the seedling is established, depending on conditions (FAO). The Watermelon Board states vines can spread 6 to 8 feet in 30 days. During this time, you’ll see the vines rapidly extend across the soil surface. This is the watermelon vine growth time.

Stage 3: Flowering and Pollination

This is a critical turning point!

What happens

The watermelon plant starts producing flowers. You’ll notice two types: male flowers (on thin stalks) and female flowers (which have a tiny swelling at the base, which is the immature fruit). For fruit to develop, pollen from a male flower must be transferred to a female flower, usually by bees or other insects.

Duration

Flowers typically start appearing after sufficient vine growth, usually around 30-40 days after planting, depending on the variety and conditions. The flowering period itself can last 15 to 20 days (FAO). Flowering continues throughout the fruit development period. Note that flowering does not occur below 13°C (55°F) (Frontiers).

Stage 4: Fruit Set and Initial Swell

Success! Pollination happened, and fruit is on the way.

What happens

Fertilized female flowers begin to develop into tiny fruits.

Duration

Happens shortly after successful pollination. You’ll see the tiny fruit start to enlarge noticeably within a few days.

Stage 5: Fruit Development After Flowering

The final stretch! This is where the magic happens.

What happens

The small fruit grows rapidly in size, gaining most of its weight during the first few weeks after setting. After reaching nearly full size, the plant focuses on developing sugars, flavor, and the characteristic color of the flesh and rind. This is the ripening phase.

Duration

From the point of successful fruit set to full ripeness typically takes about 20 to 45 days. The yield formation (fruit filling) period is often cited as 20-30 days (FAO), while Utah State University Extension specifies 35-45 days from flowering depending on temperature and variety. The exact duration depends heavily on the variety, temperature (warmth speeds up ripening), and sunlight. This is the crucial watermelon ripening time.

Factors That Influence How Fast Do Watermelons Grow?

Let’s dig a bit deeper into what makes the process quicker or slower. Understanding these factors is key to managing your watermelon growing timeline.

Variety Selection Matters

Choosing the right variety is perhaps the biggest factor you control from the start.

• Early-maturing vs. main-season/late varieties: Early varieties are bred to complete their life cycle faster, great for shorter seasons or getting an early market advantage. Main-season or late varieties take longer but might produce larger fruits or have other desirable traits.
• Choosing the right variety for your climate zone in Nigeria: Selecting a variety suited to your specific climate in Nigeria, whether it’s the drier North or more humid South, will help ensure it grows at its optimal speed and avoids stress that could slow it down. Check out our guide on what are the varieties of watermelon in Nigeria for options.

Climate and Weather Conditions

Watermelons are sun-loving, heat-seekers!

• Heat is key: Optimal temperatures for watermelon growth are generally between 70-95°F (21-35°C) (Penn State Extension). More specifically, optimum growing temperatures are often cited around 70-80°F (21-27°C) during the day and 60-70°F (15-21°C) at night (UGA Cooperative Extension). Optimal ripening temperatures are slightly cooler, around 59-77°F (15-25°C) (Starke Ayres/FAO).
• Sunlight: Watermelons need ample sun, ideally 6-8+ hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun generally means more energy for the plant to grow and ripen fruit faster.
• Effects of cool temperatures or lack of sun: Temperatures below 50-60°F (10-15°C) or above 95°F (35°C) can slow or stop growth (Penn State Extension, Frontiers). Cool weather or cloudy periods will significantly slow down the entire growth process, extending the time to maturity.

Soil Health and Nutrients

Healthy soil provides the foundation for fast growth.

• Well-drained, fertile soil is essential: Watermelons need well-drained soil (which type of soil is best for watermelon) to prevent root problems. Fertile soil with adequate nutrients fuels vigorous growth.
• Proper fertilization at different stages fuels growth: Providing the right balance of nutrients, especially nitrogen early on and phosphorus/potassium later, is crucial for maintaining a good watermelon plant growth rate. Our [watermelon fertilizer guide-what fertilizer is best for watermelons](https://agricbusiness.com.ng/watermelon-fertilizer-guide-what-fertilizer is-best-for-watermelons/)) has the details.
• Lack of nutrients slows down the entire process: If the soil is poor or nutrients are deficient, growth will be stunted, and maturity will be delayed.

Watering Consistency

Water is non-negotiable for watermelon growth.

• Adequate, consistent water promotes steady growth: Watermelons need consistent moisture, especially during vine growth and fruit development. Irregular watering can stress the plant.
• Drought stress halts or slows growth dramatically: If the plant doesn’t get enough water, it simply cannot grow or develop fruit properly.

Growth Time from Seed vs. Transplant

How you start your plants impacts the initial timeline.

How long does it take for watermelon to grow from seed?

This includes the germination time (7-10 days) plus the time to maturity (70-100+ days), so the total time from sowing a seed can be around 80-110 days or more.

Starting from transplants can shave off ~2 weeks

If you start seeds indoors or in a nursery and transplant seedlings into the garden after they have a few true leaves, you can typically shave off about two weeks from the total time compared to direct seeding (Utah State University Extension). This gives you a head start on the watermelon growing period.

Addressing Specific Growth Scenarios

Let’s look at a couple of common situations.

Growing Watermelons in Pots: What to Expect

Growing in containers is totally possible!

• Time to maturity is often similar to in-ground: The time it takes for watermelons to grow in pots is generally similar to growing in the ground, assuming you provide optimal conditions. However, the size and yield of the fruits might be smaller due to the confined space.
• Requires more diligent watering and feeding due to confined space: Pots dry out faster and nutrients leach more easily. You’ll need to be extra attentive with watering and fertilization to keep the plant growing well.

Understanding Rapid Growth in Ideal Conditions

In perfect world scenarios – ideal temperatures, abundant sunlight, well-drained fertile soil, consistent water, and the right nutrients at the right time – watermelons can grow quite rapidly. How fast do watermelons grow? In these conditions, they will typically meet or even slightly exceed the “days to maturity” estimate on the seed packet, reaching full size and sweetness efficiently.

Troubleshooting: Watermelon Growing Problems

Sometimes, things don’t go according to the ideal plan. Various watermelon growing problems can slow down or even stop growth.

Pests and Diseases

Unwanted visitors can cause major delays.

• How infestations/infections stress the plant and slow or halt growth/fruit development: Pests (like aphids or spider mites) and diseases (like powdery mildew or various blights) stress the plant by feeding on its tissues or disrupting its functions. This diverts the plant’s energy away from growth and fruit development, significantly slowing down the timeline or preventing fruits from maturing at all.

Pollination Issues

No pollination, no fruit!

• Lack of pollination means no fruit set: If bees or other pollinators aren’t visiting your flowers, or if conditions aren’t right for pollination, female flowers won’t be fertilized. This means no tiny fruits will form, effectively stopping the process of fruit growth entirely.

Environmental Stress

Extreme conditions are tough on plants.

• Extreme temperatures (too hot or too cold): As mentioned earlier, temperatures outside the optimal range (70-95°F) cause stress and can cause growth to stop or slow dramatically.
• Severe water stress (drought or waterlogging): Both too little and too much water are detrimental. Drought prevents nutrient uptake and growth, while waterlogging suffocates roots, leading to decline and halted growth.

Knowing When They’re Ready: Connecting Growth Time to Harvest

So, you’ve tracked the days, managed the conditions, and avoided major problems. How do you know the waiting is finally over?

Using Days to Maturity as a Guide, Not a Rule

Remember that number on the seed packet?

• Use the seed packet number to know when to start looking for signs. It’s a helpful estimate to tell you when to begin checking, not a strict deadline for harvest.

Looking for Ripeness Indicators

This is the ultimate test!

• Reiterate that physical signs (tendril, ground spot, etc.) are the ultimate way to confirm ripeness. Your eyes and senses are the best tools in the final stage. Don’t harvest based only on the number of days. Instead, look for the combination of visual and physical cues that indicate a watermelon is truly ripe. Our guide on how to know when watermelons are ready to pick goes into detail on these signs.

How to Speed Up Watermelon Growth Naturally

While you can’t force a watermelon to ripen instantly, you can create conditions that encourage healthy, faster growth within its natural timeline.

Tips for Faster Germination and Fruiting

Getting off to a good start helps!

• Warm Soil: Watermelon seeds need warm soil to germinate quickly. Use black plastic mulch to warm the soil before planting, or start seeds indoors in warmer conditions if your season is short.
• Proper Spacing: Give plants enough space to grow without competing for light, water, and nutrients.
• Pollination: Encourage pollinators by planting flowers nearby or hand-pollinating if needed. More successful pollination means more fruit set.

Using Fertilizers, Mulch, and Trellising Wisely

Smart practices boost growth.

• Fertilization: Provide balanced nutrients, especially phosphorus for flowering and potassium for fruiting, at the right times according to a watermelon fertilizer schedule.
• Mulch: Organic mulch (like straw) helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, reducing stress on the plants. Black plastic mulch also warms the soil.
• Trellising (for smaller varieties/limited space): Growing watermelons on a strong trellis can improve air circulation, reduce disease risk, and get the fruit off the ground, which might indirectly support healthier, faster development, though it’s not typically done for large commercial varieties.

Conclusion: Planning Your Season Based on Growth Time

So, how long does it take for watermelon to grow? It’s a journey with varying speeds, influenced by many factors. The key takeaway is that while there’s an average timeframe, your actual watermelon harvest time from planting will depend on the variety you choose and the conditions you provide.

By understanding the growth stages, recognizing the factors that influence growth speed, and providing optimal care – from the right soil and nutrients to consistent water and plenty of sun – you can help your watermelons stay on track for a timely and bountiful harvest. Planning your season based on this knowledge is crucial for success in watermelon farming Nigeria. Happy growing!

FAQs: Your Watermelon Growth Questions Answered

Here are some common questions about the watermelon growth timeline: