FruitMelon
Hearts of Gold Melon
Cantaloupe
Hearts of Gold is a beloved heirloom cantaloupe that thrives across hardiness zones 2-13, reaching maturity in just 80-89 days. Known also as 'Hoodoo,' this open-pollinated variety produces round melons with strikingly sweet, deep orange flesh that fills the air with an intoxicating aroma. What sets it apart is the unusually small seed cavity, meaning more of that luscious fruit for your table. Originally a favorite among Midwestern organic gardeners, this non-GMO cultivar proves that heirloom quality and practical productivity can grow beautifully in the same garden.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-90°F
Growth Stats
15 in
Height
—
Width
48 in
Spacing
80–89
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeVine
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
15in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
This is a heat-loving annual vine that rewards full sun with exceptionally aromatic, firm-fleshed melons that practically announce their ripeness. The small seed cavity is a defining feature, a practical advantage that speaks to careful selection over generations of seed saving. Whether you're growing in a traditional garden plot, raised bed, or greenhouse, Hearts of Gold performs with the kind of reliability that makes heirlooms worth preserving. Its nickname 'Hoodoo' hints at something almost magical about this melon, and anyone who's grown it understands why.
Common Uses
Hearts of Gold cantaloupes are at their best when eaten fresh, chilled on a hot summer day, or halved and filled with cottage cheese or other complements that let their aromatic sweetness shine. The firm texture of the flesh makes them excellent for cutting into neat cubes for fruit salads or platters. Their reliability and robust flavor have earned them a permanent place in Midwestern American home gardens, where they're often preserved or shared fresh during peak season.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Late Spring
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Hearts of Gold can be transplanted outdoors once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F and the plant has hardened off. Transplant into warm soil at least 60°F, spacing plants 48 inches apart with 72 inches between rows.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach at least 60°F. Sow seeds and thin seedlings to achieve the proper spacing of 48 inches between plants.
Harvesting
Hearts of Gold melons are ready to harvest 80-89 days after planting. Watch for the characteristic color change to golden-yellow and press gently at the stem end, a ripe melon will yield slightly to pressure. The sweetly aromatic scent intensifying is a reliable sign of ripeness. Harvest by gently twisting and pulling the melon from the vine, or cut with a knife if needed. Pick melons in the early morning when they're coolest.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis L.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Hearts of Gold represents one of heirloom gardening's great success stories, a variety carefully preserved and passed through generations because it simply works. Also known as 'Hoodoo,' this cantaloupe became a cornerstone for Midwestern organic gardeners who recognized its superior flavor and consistent performance in continental climates. The small seed cavity wasn't accidental; it resulted from generations of seed savers who selected plants that offered more edible flesh relative to waste. This is a cultivar that succeeded because it earned its place at the table and in the seed catalogs, not because of marketing or novelty.”