Jubilee watermelon in the garden with bold dark stripes and bright red flesh

How to Grow Jubilee Watermelon From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Jubilee is a classic Southern market melon known for its impressive size and reliable sweetness. Its large, oblong fruit carries a light green rind boldly striped in dark green and can weigh 25 to 40 pounds, with crisp, juicy red flesh and few seeds. Ripening in about 90 days, it loves a long, hot summer and rewards patience with melons big enough to feed a crowd. Give it space, sun, and steady water and Jubilee will produce beautifully.

This is the quick guide to Jubilee. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting watermelons, see our complete guide to growing watermelons from seed.

Quick start

Sow seeds about 1 inch deep in warm soil at least 70F on a mounded hill, or start indoors 3 to 4 weeks early in peat pots since Jubilee needs a long season. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart in rows 6 feet apart to give the vigorous vines room. Water deeply and evenly, easing off as the melons approach ripeness. Harvest around 90 days when the nearest tendril browns, the ground spot turns creamy, and the melon thumps hollow.

Best tip

Jubilee is a long-season melon, so it truly shines in hot, extended summers like the South and Southwest. In cooler regions, start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost, warm the soil first, and wait for settled warmth before transplanting. Give these vigorous vines plenty of room, water deeply and evenly while the big fruit develops, then ease off near ripening so the flesh finishes crisp and sweet.

At a glance

Botanical nameCitrullus lanatus

Plant typeWarm-season annual vine

USDA zones3 to 12 (grown as an annual)

SunFull sun (8+ hours)

Days to maturityAbout 90 days from transplant

Height12 to 18 in tall; vines 8 to 12 ft

Spacing3 to 4 feet apart; rows 6 feet apart

WaterDeep and even; ease off as fruit ripens

Uses

With its large size and crisp, sweet flesh, Jubilee is made for feeding a crowd. Cut it into wedges for barbecues and reunions, cube it into fruit salads, or juice it for a refreshing summer drink. It stores and travels well, so a single melon goes a long way, and it pairs classically with a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of salt.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Jubilee watermelon take to grow?

Jubilee needs about 90 days from transplant to ripen, so it is best suited to long, hot summers. In cooler regions, start seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks early and warm the soil to give this big melon the full season it wants.

How big does a Jubilee watermelon get?

Jubilee grows large, oblong melons often weighing 25 to 40 pounds, with a light green rind striped in bold dark green. The bright red flesh is crisp, juicy, and sweet with a small seed count.

What is Jubilee watermelon best used for?

Its large size and crisp, sweet flesh make Jubilee a favorite for feeding a crowd. Slice it into wedges for barbecues and picnics, cube it for fruit salads, or juice it. It also ships and stores well, which made it a classic market melon.

Any tips for growing Jubilee watermelon?

Give Jubilee plenty of room, since the vines are vigorous and the fruit is heavy. Grow in full sun on rich, well-drained soil, water deeply and evenly while fruit sizes up, then ease off near ripening. It shows good tolerance to fusarium wilt and anthracnose.

Ready to grow your own? Heirloom Jubilee seeds give you huge, sweet, striped melons that are perfect for sharing. For the full step-by-step, see our complete watermelon growing guide linked at the top of this page.

Jubilee Watermelon Seeds – Non-GMO HeirloomHeirloom, non-GMOHeirloom Jubilee watermelon — long, striped melons prized for sweetness.

Price$4.99

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Want more watermelons? These value packs pair Jubilee with other varieties:

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Summer Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack – Non-GMO HeirloomWatermelon + summer cropsSugar Baby watermelon plus 24 more summer fruits and vegetables in one pack — the easiest way to fill a warm-season garden from a single order.

Price$27.99 Sale Price$24.99

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Sale

Vegetable Seeds Variety Pack55 veggie varietiesOur biggest vegetable collection — 55 varieties and over 11,500 seeds to stock a whole summer garden around your melons.

Price$21.99Starting at$17.99

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.