Grow Indian white bitter gourd (karela), a traditional Momordica charantia variety known for its cream-white fruits and balanced bitterness. This heirloom, open-pollinated selection produces vigorous climbing vines, consistent yields, and fruits well-suited for a wide range of culinary uses.
Key Features
· Heirloom, open-pollinated selection with stable genetics
· Cream-white fruits with balanced, slightly milder bitterness
· Productive vines with continuous harvests
· Suitable for Indian, Asian, and health-focused cooking
· Ideal for backyard gardens, raised beds, and containers
· Performs best with trellis or vertical support
Culinary Uses
White bitter gourd is widely used across Indian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian cuisines. Its slightly milder bitterness and tender texture make it versatile in the kitchen.
Common uses include stir-fries, curries, stuffed dishes, pickles, and fresh juices for wellness-focused diets.
Growing Instructions
· Sowing Time (USA): Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost or direct sow outdoors after frost when soil temperatures are consistently warm
· Germination: 5–10 days at 75–90°F (24–32°C)
· Planting: Depth: ½–1 inch, Spacing: 18–24 inches apart, Support: Provide trellis or vertical structure for climbing vines
· Sunlight: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)
· Watering: Keep soil consistently moist and well-drained
· Harvest: 55–70 days; harvest when fruits are young, tender, and pale white
Plant Profile
Botanical Name: Momordica charantia
Plant Type: Annual vine
Growth Habit: Climbing
Fruit Color: Cream-white
Difficulty Level: Moderate
International Names
Hindi: Safed Karela
English: White Bitter Gourd, White Bitter Melon
Tamil: Vellai Pavakkai
Telugu: Tella Kakara, Kaakarakaya
Malayalam: Vella Pavakka
Kannada: Bili Hagalakayi
Marathi: Pandhra Karela
Gujarati: Safed Karela
Bengali: Shada Korola
Punjabi: Chitta Karela
Sinhala (Sri Lanka): Sudu Karavila
Thai: Mara Khao
Vietnamese: Muop Dang Trang
Chinese: Bai Ku Gua
Japanese: Shiro Goya
Filipino (Tagalog): Puting Ampalaya