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Belonging to the cucurbits or gourd family, watermelon is a summer staple cultivated around the globe for its refreshing flesh and sweet flavor. From small watermelons to plumper varieties, this fruit can be planted at home, giving you a year-round supply.
Learning about watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) can be overwhelming. Age-old heirloom varieties and modern-day hybrids have differing flavors, needs, shapes, and sizes. With our extensive guide, we’re here to help you select the right watermelon variety for your garden.
Common Watermelon Types
The thirst-quenching watermelon fruit goes beyond the seeded and seedless types. Botanically, there are three primary watermelon cultivar groups, but before we introduce them, let’s differentiate heirloom from hybrid varieties.
Heirloom and Hybrid Watermelons
Heirloom watermelon varieties have been maintained as true to seed for years. Modernization in agriculture and gardening gave rise to hybrid cultivars.
Popular examples of heirloom watermelons include All Sweet, Black Diamond, Crimson Sweet, Jubilee, Kleckley’s Sweet, Sugar Baby, Striped Klondike Blue Ribbon, and Tendersweet Orange. To be considered heirloom, the watermelon variety should be free from any crossbreeding for at least 40 to 50 years. Heirloom seeds are suitable for seed saving as you get the same traits from the parent plant. Ethnic, familial, or any other social units commonly preserve these seed types as heirlooms. Some heirloom seeds are closely maintained by seed companies.
Watermelons naturally have seeds, which gradually turn darker and harder during maturity. Seedless watermelon varieties are created through deliberate hybridization.
Agriculturists and breeders found out that breeding a diploid variety (having two sets of chromosomes) with a tetraploid variety (having four sets of chromosomes) will result in a triploid hybrid. With three sets of chromosomes, the triploid seed will grow seedless watermelons, a sterile hybrid that lacks mature black seeds.
Harvest Moon, Treasure Chest Hybrid, Triple Baby F1, and Triple Crown F1 are some examples of seedless or triploid watermelons. Crossbreeding also allows breeders to pick out desired traits from two watermelon varieties. Enhancements in fruit flavor, shape, size, texture, and yield can be made in hybrids. These improvements make hybrid watermelons prominent in commercial and large-scale farming.
Other Popular Watermelon Groupings
Like other crops, watermelons can be classified according to their specific traits.
Types of Watermelon Flesh Colors
Organic compounds like carotenoids and lycopene make up the colors or pigments in watermelon varieties.
| Watermelon Flesh Colors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Orange Flesh Watermelon | New Queen (Territorial Seed Company) Kaho (Rare Seeds) Tendersweet Orange (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Red Flesh Watermelon | All Sweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Blacktail Mountain (Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) Crimson Sweet Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Mini Love (Territorial Seed Company) Sangria Hybrid (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
| Yellow Flesh Watermelon | Clay County Yellow Meat (Rare Seeds) Moon & Stars Yellow Flesh (True Leaf Market) Mountain Sweet (True Leaf Market) Treasure Chest Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Yellow Petite (Eden Brothers) |
Types of Watermelon Seeds
As mentioned earlier, seedless varieties stem from the hybridization of diploid and tetraploid watermelon varieties.
| Watermelon Seeds | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Seeded Watermelon | Black Diamond (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Florida Giant (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Legacy (True Leaf Market) Shiny Boy Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Seedless Watermelon | Harvest Moon (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Treasure Chest Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Triple Crown Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Triple Express Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Triple Star Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Watermelon Shapes
Watermelon varieties come in round, and oblong shapes.
| Watermelon Shapes | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Oblong Watermelons | Harvest Moon (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Kleckley’s Sweet (True Leaf Market) Sangria Hybrid (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sweet Beauty (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Round Watermelons | AU Producer (True Leaf Market) Cal Sweet Bush (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Crimson Sweet Yellow (True Leaf Market) Dixie Queen (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Moon & Stars Red Flesh (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) |
Types of Watermelon Flavors
Watermelon is a summer favorite due to its sweet and refreshing taste.
| Watermelon Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Slightly Tangy/Tart Watermelons | Black Diamond (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Georgia Rattlesnake (Eden Brothers) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Moon & Stars Red Flesh (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Tendersweet Orange (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Sweet Watermelons | Cal Sweet Supreme or Cal Sweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Congo (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Mountain Sweet (True Leaf Market) Sweet Beauty (Territorial Seed Company) Sweet Princess (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Watermelon Textures
Watermelon is best enjoyed raw as it provides a satisfying, juicy crunch.
| Watermelon Textures | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Crunchy Watermelons | Cal Sweet Bush (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Crimson Sweet Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Golden Midget (Eden Brothers) Harvest Moon (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Sweet Beauty (Territorial Seed Company) |
| Firm Watermelons | Charleston Grey (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Dixie Queen (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Florida Giant (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Georgia Rattlesnake (Eden Brothers) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) |
Types of Geographic Origins
The origin of watermelon was in South Africa about 5,000 years ago.
| Geographic Origins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| European, and Mediterranean Watermelons | Janosik (Rare Seeds) |
| North American Watermelons | Florida Giant (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Kleckley’s Sweet (True Leaf Market) Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Sangria Hybrid (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Shiny Boy Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Asian Watermelons | Ali Baba (Rare Seeds) Beni Kodama (Rare Seeds) Black Jewel or Kurokodama (Rare Seeds) Early Girl or Otome (Rare Seeds) Hime Kansen Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Culinary Uses
Traditionally, watermelons are cultivated for raw culinary applications.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Watermelons for Juicing | Harvest Moon (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Kleckley’s Sweet (True Leaf Market) Sugar Baby (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company) Treasure Chest Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Triple Crown Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Watermelons for Salads | Cal Sweet Supreme or Cal Sweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Crimson Sweet Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) New Queen (Territorial Seed Company) Tendersweet Orange (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Triple Express Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Some watermelon varieties are hardier and more resistant to diseases than others.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease Resistant Watermelons | Crimson Sweet Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Legacy (True Leaf Market) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Moon & Stars Red Flesh (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Sangria Hybrid (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) |
| Susceptible Varieties | Garrisonian (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
Due to the vining growth of some watermelon varieties, ample gardening space is needed for the plant to flourish. However, mini or personal watermelons exist, which can be planted in containers.
| Preferred Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Container Watermelons | Beni Kodama (Rare Seeds) Cal Sweet Bush (Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market) Cal Sweet Supreme or Cal Sweet (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Sugar Baby Bush (True Leaf Market) Triple Treat Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Field/Greenhouse Watermelons | Black Diamond (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Crimson Sweet Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Dixie Queen (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Moon & Stars Yellow Flesh (True Leaf Market) |
Popular Varieties of Mini or Personal Watermelons
Manageable and easy to carry, mini or personal watermelons are characterized by their smaller size. Varieties under this type tend to grow in a more compact plant structure, making them ideal for container planting.
| Variety | Description | Days to Germination | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Sweet Bush | This watermelon variety is an All-America Selections winner for its compact, bush-type plant structure. At best, Cal Sweet Bush grows 2 to 3 watermelons in short vines reaching about 14 to 18 inches long. Home gardeners with limited space should consider this award-winning watermelon suitable for patio planting. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 95 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Golden Midget | An early maturing variety, the Golden Midget grows golden yellow rind skin with salmon pink flesh inside. This variety is good for gardeners in areas with short growing seasons. | 4 to 12 days | 70 to 75 days | Eden Brothers |
| Sugar Baby Bush | A mini variant of the common icebox watermelon, Sugar Baby, this bush type can grow in small garden spaces or large containers. Weighing anywhere from 60 to 10 pounds, its fruit boasts sweet red flesh and firm green rinds. | 4 to 12 days | 75 to 80 days | True Leaf Market |
| Triple Gold Hybrid | Another early maturing watermelon for your garden, the Triple Gold Hybrid variety has a bright yellow interior with striped rinds. | 3 to 12 days | 78 to 85 days | True Leaf Market |
| Triple Treat Hybrid | Heat tolerant and seedless, this personal watermelon has a crisp texture perfect as a summer treat. Weighing about 8 to 10 pounds, the Triple Treat can be finished in one sitting, or shared with your friends and family. | 3 to 12 days | 85 to 90 days | True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Icebox Watermelons
As the name suggests, different watermelon varieties under this type fit into refrigerators or coolers. Families or friends who plan to go outdoors and dine can opt for any of the varieties below. Icebox varieties tend to be medium in size; enough for sharing when sliced.
| Variety | Description | Days to Germination | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacktail Mountain | Blacktail Mountain is a selected variety of the Territorial Seed Company. In their trials, this open-pollinated variety is a taste test favorite due to its delicious sweet flavor. This icebox watermelon variety can perform well even in cool temperatures. | 4 to 10 days | 70 to 75 days | Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds |
| Early Crimson Treat | Early Crimson Treat watermelon is a seeded, early-maturing variety with light and dark green tiger stripes in its rind and bright red flesh. | 5 to 12 days | 70 to 75 days | True Leaf Market |
| Sugar Baby | The Sugar Baby variety sets the standard for the icebox watermelon. It is a reliable producer of red watermelons, reaching approximately 10 inches in diameter. | 5 to 10 days | 80 to 85 days | Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company |
| Sweet Beauty | Sweet Beauty grows durable vines, reaching 8 to 10 feet in length. Expect sweetness and crispness from its oblong-shaped fruit. This variety is a recipient of an All-America Selections award. | 7 to 10 days | 80 to 85 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Treasure Chest Hybrid | Treasure Chest is a stunning seedless watermelon variety with sweet yellow flesh. Expect light green rinds from this triploid watermelon. | 4 to 12 days | 80 to 85 days | True Leaf Market |
| Yellow Gem Sweet | With prominent dark green stripes on its rind, the Yellow Gem Sweet variety can be an eye-catching addition to your garden. When sliced, this oval-shaped watermelon reveals a sweet yellow flesh inside. | 4 to 12 days | 80 to 85 days | True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Picnic Watermelons
Picnic watermelons tend to be heftier than the icebox type. Some watermelon varieties under this type take more time to mature, leading to a late summer harvest. They are the typical watermelons you commonly see in supermarkets or farmers markets as the picnic type provides a wide variety of selections.
| Variety | Description | Days to Germination | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Sweet | All Sweet is an heirloom variety with disease resistance to Anthracnose (race 1), and Fusarium wilt (race 0). Its striped watermelon can weigh anywhere from 25 to 30 pounds. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 105 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Charleston Grey | Southeastern Vegetable Breeding Laboratory of Charleston, South Carolina first introduced the Charleston Grey watermelon in 1954. It can tolerate diseases, such as Anthracnose and Fusarium wilt. Its cylindrical fruit can weigh up to 35 pounds. | 4 to 12 days | 87 to 92 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Crimson Sweet Red | From the innovation of Charles V. Hall from Kansas State University, Crimson Sweet Red requires minimal maintenance to cultivate. It yields traditional red-fleshed watermelons with green skin, weighing at least 25 pounds per fruit. This variety has resistance towards Anthracnose (race 1 and 3) and Fusarium wilt (race 1 and 2). | 4 to 12 days | 80 to 90 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Georgia Rattlesnake | Popular in the South, Georgia Rattlesnake produces vigorous rinds to protect the sweet red flesh of its fruit. Due to its thick skin, it is an excellent storage watermelon for selling or transporting. | 4 to 12 days | 85 to 90 days | Eden Brothers |
| Jubilee | Initially grown in Florida until it reaches the gardens from other states, Jubilee is an heirloom favorite that yields sweet, 25- to 40-pound fruit. It requires a longer growing season, just in time for a late summer harvest. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 97 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds |
| Kleckley’s Sweet | Also known as Monte Cristo or Wonder Melon, this variety is considered one of the sweetest watermelons you can plant at home. Its thin rinds mean more red sweet flesh you can enjoy. | 4 to 12 days | 85 to 90 days | True Leaf Market |
| Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped | Adaptable to both cooler and hotter temperatures, the Klondike Blue Ribbon Striped has thin light green rind and less fibrous flesh. The fruits take longer to grow before they are ready for harvest. | 4 to 12 days | 77 to 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Moon & Stars Yellow Flesh | Moon & Stars Yellow Flesh has a unique spotted skin with colors ranging from yellow to green. Throw in chopped pieces of its golden flesh to add color to your fruit platters or salads. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 95 days | True Leaf Market |
| Sangria Hybrid | Sangria has intermediate resistance to Anthracnose and Fusarium wilt (race 1). Its refreshing red flesh is encapsulated in an oval-shaped skin with green stripe patterns. | 4 to 12 days | 87 to 92 days | Territorial Seed Company, True Leaf Market |
| Sweet Princess | Sweet Princess offers crisp pink flesh with a thin rind. This heirloom variety repels common watermelon diseases like Anthracnose and Fusarium wilt (race 1 and 3) | 4 to 12 days | 85 to 96 days | True Leaf Market |
Popular Varieties of Giant Watermelons
Under ideal conditions, watermelons of this type can weigh up to 70 pounds, depending on the variety. Keep in mind that giant watermelon varieties may require bigger space to grow and take a longer time to mature.
| Variety | Description | Days to Germination | Days to Maturity | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond | Originating from Arkansas, the Black Diamond is a drought-resistant variety. It yields fruit with dark green skin and intensely crimson flesh. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 95 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Black Diamond Yellow Belly | As the Black Diamond Yellow Belly matures, the dark green to black color of its rinds gradually becomes yellow. Additionally, the rinds tend to be tough, making this variety suitable for storage. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 95 days | True Leaf Market |
| Congo | Another All-America Selections winner, the Congo is a versatile watermelon variety that can adjust to various growing conditions. It possesses resistance to Anthracnose (race 1) and produces red-fleshed fruit, weighing about 50 pounds. | 4 to 12 days | 95 to 100 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Florida Giant | From the mind of breeder Melville Dillon from Florida, the Florida Giant can yield extremely large round fruits packed with a refreshingly sweet flavor. At best, the fruits can weigh anywhere between 30 to 50 pounds. | 4 to 12 days | 90 to 95 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
FAQ About Types of Watermelons
Which watermelon type is the sweetest?
Orange- and yellow-fleshed watermelon varieties tend to be sweeter. In a trial by Washington State University, Pony Yellow scored 12.3 Brix, a measure of sweetness for crops. Other varieties with high sugar content include Amarillo, Baby Doll, Felicity, Petite Yellow, Sorbet Swirl, Sunshine, Super Gold, Treasure Chest, and Yellow Doll.
How many varieties of watermelon are there?
Globally, there are over 1,200 watermelon varieties. Around 200 to 300 varieties from this estimate are cultivated in Mexico and the United States.
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