Growing Choko/Chayote, also Chayote squash, christophene, chouchou, mirliton

Sechium edule : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions

  • Easy to grow. Plant whole mature fruit when one produces a shoot at one end.. Best planted at soil temperatures between 59°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 39 inches apart
  • Harvest in 17-25 weeks. Best when fruit is light green and not more than 6 cm long.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Cucumbers

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
02 Nov 21, Rosie Spence (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Where am I able to get Choko plants or seeds in NZ, I’m finding them difficult to access, thank you in advance
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Aug 22, Anthony (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
buy a whole choko from the store set aside indoors ( maybe in a fruit bowl ) and it will sprout a vine on its own Then plant the whole thing .. i have a posting becoming available, that will explain the process after that
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Nov 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Buy seeds online or buy a choko and wait until it starts sending out a shoot and then plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Sep 21, Johnny Leech (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Will choko grow in a cold area in North Canterbury
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 21, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
No, they need warm weather by the look of it.
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 21, Betty (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
We plan to move within 6 months and I want my choko to come with us. How can I keep a choko fruit so I can plant it in our new garden? I have fruit now. Or what would you advise Thanks? Thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Apr 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best I can suggest is keep a few of the very last ones of this crop. Put them in the pantry. They could take a few months before they start to sprout. The new vine could grow a few feet long by the time you plant. Or say spring time plant them in a 9L bucket or tin etc and grow them there until plant out time.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Apr 21, Rowena Flood (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone have choko's growing in tasmania
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Apr 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Very unlikely unless they are in a temperate or subtropical climate.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Feb 21, Sue (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Would I be able to grow a choko in stanthorpe qld
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 41 - 50 of 269 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Choko/Chayote

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.