Calabaza includes several strains of pumpkins and squashes grown in the tropics. Growing calabaza in Florida is crazy simple if the conditions are right.
Varieties of calabaza include:
- Seminole pumpkin Cucurbita moschata
- Similar to butternut squash in color and flavor
- Climbing vines produce small, sweet fruits and the flowers also edible
- Tasty and reliable for Florida gardeners
- Calabaza or tropical pumpkin
- Also known as Cuban pumpkin or Cuban squash
- Fruits weigh 5-12 pounds.
- Jamaican pumpkin
- Popular in the Caribbean, common in stews and soups.
A calabaza origin story
According to the history, Seminole pumpkins were originally grown in the Everglades.
This indicates that they’re versatile, growing in mucky or highly organic soil, and in less fertile soil too. This also indicates they’ve adapted to Florida’s hot sticky summers.
Choose a site with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight for optimal fruit production.
Growing calabaza squash in Florida
| Calabaza | Cucurbita moschata |
| Season (FL) | Summer |
| Soil type | Mucky, highly organic |
| Light | 6 to 8 hours |
| Water | Regular |
| Mature plant size | Varies – spreading vines |
| Harvest in | 3 months |
Calabaza can be planted in early spring and as late as July, for harvest at Halloween. Most mature in 3 months, from seed to harvest.
Calabaza are not cold or freeze tolerant and should produce fruit up until the first frost.
What you’ll need
- Lots of compost or well rotted manure (a gallon or two) under each planting site
- For seeds – look for local seeds on Etsy, or try these sources.
- Another option is to buy a calabaza at a local market and use its seeds.
Save your seeds for next season, this way they adapt to your microclimate and grow better with each season.
How to plant calabaza
Direct seed in the garden and space at least 4’ apart – they will sprawl out. Place each seed in plenty of composted material.
Caring for your calabaza
Calabaza flowers are pollinated by bees, however it may be necessary to pollinate by hand due to diminishing pollinator populations
Expect variation from seeds – different shapes and colors of fruit could emerge from different seeds.
Vines can grow to 25’ or more so plan your site accordingly.
Generally calabaza require little maintenance, even in Florida’s hot wet summers. Monitor for caterpillars and other diseases and remove by hand before anything gets out of control.
Suggested recipe for calabaza
Pumpkin soup
Roasted pumpkins
Pumpkin pie