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 USA - Zone 5a 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

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08 Apr 22, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
You are temperate NZ and by the guide here it won't grow in your area. It needs warmer weather.
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06 Jan 22, Lance Hill (USA - Zone 9a climate)
We would love to hear from anyone growing chokos (chayote/mirlitons) on your techniques and experiences. Our website is devoted to all things Mirlitons: www.Mirliton.org, including the world's largest collection of chayote recipes. I also have an article on the history of mirlitons that links the Australian and U.S. varieties.
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20 Dec 21, Asor (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Where to buy choko
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21 Dec 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Buy one from a shop and let it sprout then plant it.
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21 Nov 21, Carol (Australia - arid climate)
I have a choko that is starting to shoot. Can I plant this now in Dubbo.
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23 Nov 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
The only climate zone they say here for growing choko is sub-tropical. You could try and see what happens.
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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.
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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.
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22 Apr 21, Rowena Flood (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone have choko's growing in tasmania
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29 Apr 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Very unlikely unless they are in a temperate or subtropical climate.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 224 comments
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A few recipie ideas: - Choko Pickles (plenty of recipies on the web) - Starter: Choko soup - Main: Creamy Basil Choko Ingredients: 4 rashes bacon, cut into strips 1 medium onion, diced 3-4 chokos, peeled & cut into 1/8 pieces 1/2 cup evaporated milk (or cream) 2 tbl sp parmesan cheese 2 tbl sp chopped fresh basil 1/2 tbl sp oil Directions: fry bacon until crispy, remove from pan & place in a baking dish. Cook in bacon fat & oil until translucent, remove from pan & place in baking dish. Add choko pieces to baking dish. Pour evaporated milk (or cream) over top, sprinkle with parmesan & chopped basil Cook in oven at 180c for 30-45 min until choko is tender - Desert: 2 Choko pealed and sliced into 1/8 and poached with 1/2 pod vanilla (or 1/2 tsp essence), 1-2 cloves and 1/4 cup sugar. Serve with icecream.

- Anonymous

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