FruitWatermelon
Splendor Watermelon
Splendor is an F1 hybrid watermelon bred for northern gardeners who thought they couldn't grow melons. This compact, heat-tolerant vine produces surprisingly substantial 7 to 9 pound fruits with dark green rinds in just 60 to 69 days, making it one of the fastest mini melons available. Hardy from zones 3 through 13, it thrives in full sun and grows equally well in garden beds or large containers, giving you flexibility whether you have sprawling space or just a patio.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy Loam, Fertile
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
High
Zones
3-13
Size
18in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Dark green melons weighing 7 to 9 pounds emerge from vigorous vines in under 70 days, even in cooler regions where standard watermelons struggle. True Sugar Baby ice box genetics mean you get genuine watermelon flavor in a size that fits modern gardens and refrigerators. It's equally at home planted directly in soil or grown in containers with 7 gallons of soil minimum, giving you options traditional melons don't offer.
Common Uses
Splendor watermelons are sliced fresh and served chilled, ideal for summer meals, picnics, and desserts. Their 7 to 9 pound size means they fit in a standard refrigerator unlike full-size melons, making them practical for small households. The dark green rind and seeded flesh deliver classic watermelon eating experience.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly in the garden after soil temperature reaches at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit and all frost danger has passed. Plant seeds 1 to 2 inches deep, spacing them 36 inches apart in rows that are 120 inches apart. Soil should be warm and rich in organic matter.
Harvesting
Harvest Splendor watermelons 60 to 69 days after planting when the rind develops a deep, matte dark green color and loses its shine. The melon should feel heavy for its size (7 to 9 pounds is your target range), and the underside (the spot where it rested on soil) should turn creamy yellow. Press your thumb firmly on the rind; a ripe melon should have slight give but not indent deeply. Cut the stem cleanly rather than pulling the melon from the vine.
Pruning
As a vining annual, Splendor benefits from allowing the main vine to establish freely across its planting area. If you need to manage space or force productivity toward fewer fruits, you can pinch side shoots early in the season, but the plant naturally produces multiple fruits so excessive pruning isn't necessary.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Citrullus lanatus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Citrullus
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)
History & Origin
“Splendor represents decades of watermelon breeding focused on northern climates. This F1 hybrid was selected and rigorously tested in cooler growing regions to bring reliable melon production to gardeners outside traditional watermelon territory. By crossing parent lines optimized for short seasons and heat tolerance, breeders created a melon that maintains Sugar Baby genetics (the original ice box variety) while adapting to zones where watermelons were once considered impossible.”