Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis): Tropical Edible Vine

Ivy gourd, also called scarlet gourd or tindora, is a vigorous, perennial vine with ivy-shaped leaves and small, white, star-shaped flowers. It produces smooth, oval, green fruits that turn bright red when ripe. The young shoots and fruits are cooked as vegetables in Asian cuisines.

Botanical Profile

Native to Africa and Asia, this tropical vine requires full sun, warm temperatures, and a sturdy trellis. It can be invasive in tropical regions. The plant has medicinal uses in traditional systems. Grown as an annual in temperate zones.