Cantaloupe Varieties - What's the Difference?

There are several cantaloupe varieties available to the backyard vegetable gardener. Most of the varieties have similar taste and texture. The biggest difference between different varieties of cantaloupe are the size of the melons. In recent years, bush varieties of cantaloupe have been developed for smaller gardens. Generally speaking, bush varieties of cantaloupe produce smaller fruit than traditional varieties. If you like cantaloupe, we encourage you to plant a couple of different varieties that mature at different times. This spreads out the harvest and gives you a supply of fresh cantaloupe for a longer period of time.

We are often asked about our favorite variety of cantaloupe.  We prefer Sweet Passion, which is an heirloom variety that can be traced back about 100 years to its origins in Ohio.  It features 4 pound melons on prolific vines that demonstrate some drought and disease resistance.  It takes around 85 days to mature and has the classic cantaloupe appearance with the brown netting and orange flesh.  Very sweet and smooth, but not mushy.

Here is a list of some common varieties of cantaloupe, along with fruit and plant descriptions, etc...

• Hales Best Jumbo - this heirloom variety has been around since 1920, fruit average 4 pounds and are aromatic and sweet, ready for harvest in about 80 days, vines reach 6 feet long

Sweet 'N Early Hybrid - this variety matures in about 75 days, small seed cavity, fruits average 6 pounds and are juicy and sweet, expect 6-8 melons from each plant

Hearts of Gold - this variety features 3 pound melons, ready in 90 days, flesh is sweet and thick, very round fruit, vines reach 6 feet long, available as certified organic

Ambrosia - this variety of cantaloupe features 4 pound melons that are almost peach colored, very sweet, ready in 85 days

Athena - this variety is ready in 75 days, large melons average 6 pounds, silky texture and sweet flavor, 4-6 melons per plant

Honey Bun Hybrid - this variety is only available from Burpee Seed Company, bush variety with smaller melons averaging 3 pounds, 3-4 melons per vine, vines reach 3-4 feet long, ready in 75 days

• Fastbreak - this early variety is ready in 70 days, melons average 4-5 pounds and are very sweet, deep orange flesh, each vine averages 4-6 melons, good variety for short growing season


• Superstar - this cantaloupe variety features large melons with distinct ridges, melons average 7 pounds, very sweet with silky smooth texture, vines can reach 8 feet, ready in 85 days, keeps well in refrigerator

Click here to learn about planting cantaloupe

Click here for information about watering and fertilizing cantaloupe

Click here to learn about harvesting cantaloupe

Click here for some of our favorite cantaloupe recipes

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