Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Vegetable
  
Perennial
  
Origin
Mexico, Central America
  
Europe, Russia
  
Types
Not available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Hillside
  
Roadsides, sand dunes, Waste areas
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
  
4-7
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-3
  
7-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Vining/Climbing
  
Rosette/Stemless
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Width
Not Available
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Light Green
  
Light Yellow
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Green
  
Tan
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Irregular
  
Oblong
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Summer
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Medium
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
  
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Dry Conditions
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, vegetative cuttings
  
Divison, Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Medium
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires regular watering, Water more in summer
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged fruit, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize in growing season
  
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Powdery mildew, Red blotch, Soft scales
  
Slugs, Snails
  
Plant Tolerance
Dry Conditions
  
Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Insignificant
  
Yes
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
No
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Coarse
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Bees, Flying insects, Not Available
  
Insects
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Abdominal pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Farmland
  
Beautification, Borders, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Good for skin
  
Good for skin, Making cosmetics, Stops hair loss
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Food for insects, Versatility
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Acne, Anti-oxidant, constipation, Thyroid problems
  
Eczema
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Leaves, Root, Stem
  
Root
  
Other Uses
Culinary use, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Decoration Purposes, Medicinal oil, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Edible, Herb, Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
  
Edging, Feature Plant, Groundcover, Mixed Border
  
Botanical Name
SECHIUM edule
  
Primula elatior
  
Common Name
Chayote, Choko, christophene, christophine, cho-cho, pipinola
  
Oxlip, true oxlip
  
In Hindi
Chayote
  
Oxlip
  
In German
Chayote
  
Hohe Schlüsselblume
  
In French
Chayote
  
La Primevère élevée ou Primevère des bois
  
In Spanish
Chayote
  
Primula elatior
  
In Greek
Chayote
  
δακράκι
  
In Portuguese
chuchu
  
Oxlip
  
In Polish
Chayote
  
Oxlip
  
In Latin
chayote
  
Oxlip
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Violales
  
Myrtales
  
Family
Cucurbitaceae
  
Onagraceae
  
Genus
Sechium
  
Oenothera
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Sicyeae
  
Onagreae
  
Subfamily
Cucurbitoideae
  
Onagroideae