Hawaiian Dance Mask Gourd on a white background.

Gourd Seeds,
Hawaiian Dance Mask

4.73 ReviewsSKU: #GD133
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Min. 10 seeds

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Description

An heirloom steeped in island tradition! This beautiful, pear-shaped gourd was once transformed into ceremonial helmets and masks by Native Hawaiians, especially during the Makahiki festival honoring Lono, god of peace and harvest. The fruits grow 10–12 inches tall with broad, rounded bases and naturally flatten on the bottom, perfect for crafting once dried. Thick golden shells develop as the gourds cure, their natural waxy skin preserving them through the drying process. At night, their pure white blooms unfurl beneath the stars, fading with the sun. A rare and meaningful gourd, ideal for growers drawn to ancient stories and sacred ceremony.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Lagenaria siceraria
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
3–10
Days to Maturity
100–120
Planting Depth
1 in.
Plant Spacing
18–24 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–90°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Hawaiian Dance Mask is a long-season crop — 100 to 120 days — so in all but the warmest gardens it pays to start seed indoors about three weeks before your last frost rather than waiting on the ground to warm. Where the season is genuinely long, direct sowing works once the soil has reached about 70°F. Sow 1 inch deep; at 75–90°F seedlings appear in 3 to 10 days. This vining annual has no frost tolerance, so set plants out only after frost has passed, space them 18 to 24 inches apart, and give the vines room to run.

How to Sow and Plant

  • In longer-season areas, you can sow seeds directly in the garden once soil has warmed to about 70 degrees.
  • Growers with a shorter growing season should start seeds indoors three weeks before last frost.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 75-90 F.
  • Sow seeds 1 inch deep.
  • Gourds can have spotty germination; be sure to plant seeds in good soil with plenty of organic matter.
  • Be patient; seeds can sometimes take up to three weeks to germinate!

How to Grow

  • Set plants out into good, well-drained soil after frost has passed.
  • Set plants 24 inches apart; they will climb and trail, so be prepared for a garden takeover!
  • Keep plants well-watered.
  • Gourds are grown much like squash, and thanks to their tough skin, they are often better at fighting off pests than other cucurbits.
  • A thick layer of mulch is absolutely crucial; the vines will be very difficult to keep weeded once they start trailing. Mulch will help to keep weeds down and retain moisture.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Although they are better at fending off pests than other squash relatives, gourds can be susceptible to a virus called cucumber mosaic virus, which is spread by cucumber beetle damage. To avoid the virus, keep cucumber beetles off of your plants.
  • Kaolin clay is an organic method for deterring cucumber beetles.
  • Beneficials like ladybugs and beneficial nematodes will also help to keep the pests at bay.

How to Save Seeds

  • Gourds are easily cross-pollinated, so it is advisable to isolate different seed-saving varieties up to 1⁄2 mile to ensure seed purity.
  • A minimum of 15 plants of each variety should be grown to avoid inbreeding issues. Harvest fruit before it has dried out when it is still green in color but has developed a tough skin.
  • Scoop seeds to dry; they will remain viable for about 4 years when stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

FAQ

What size and shape are the Hawaiian Dance Mask gourds?

The fruits grow 10 to 12 inches tall, pear-shaped with broad, rounded bases that naturally flatten on the bottom. Native Hawaiians once transformed this gourd into ceremonial helmets and masks, especially during the Makahiki festival honoring Lono, god of peace and harvest.

Why do the flowers only seem to open at night?

That is the nature of this gourd. Pure white blooms unfurl beneath the stars at night and fade with the sun.

What happens to the gourds as they cure?

Thick golden shells develop as the gourds cure, and the natural waxy skin preserves them through the drying process. Once dried, they are perfect for crafting.

Customer reviews

4.7 / 5 3 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Enormous gourds: Bigger than a basketball; some reach 20 inches across.

  • Easy to grow: Grew strongly and matured even in a short Idaho season.

  • Plenty of gourds: Fifteen huge bottles from one planting; heavy on a trellis.

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