I am a seed saver, and I avoid planting compatible squash varieties together or nearby. It is important to know which types of squash can cross-pollinate. In this chart, you will find which squashes can cross-pollinate. You will also find incompatible cross-pollination species.
If cross-pollination does occur, you might end up with a different variety or even a new hybrid. This might be frustrating for seed savers, but there are some benefits.
Thus, this cross-pollination chart will be helpful for both those who want to avoid cross-pollination and those who want to cross-pollinate their squash species intentionally.
I am covering these in my article:
- Benefits of cross-pollination of squash
- Basics of Squash Species
- Cross-Pollination Rules for Squash
- Squash Cross-Pollination Chart
- Tips for Avoiding Cross-Pollination
- Can You Eat Cross-Pollinated Squash
Benefits of Squash Cross Pollination
If you love experiments in gardening, then you must try cross pollination. I name it "Mystery gardening".
Cross-pollination can result in novel squash hybrids that might have:
- Unique colors and patterns
- Different textures
- Better flavor (or sometimes… unusual ones! Hope for the best)
This is how we have created many heirloom and commercial varieties.
If you find a good result (it's again your luck), you may expect a stronger squash plant.
What did I mean by good results? A hybrid outcome with faster growth, increased harvesting variety (Higher yields), and better resistance to diseases. If you find these qualities in cross pollinated squash plant, you win.
The benefit will only be reflected in the next generation of plants, grown from seeds. The fruit from a cross-pollinated squash plant will still be the variety you planted — it's the seeds inside that carry the mixed genetics.
Squash Species
| Species | Common Varieties | Recommended USDA Zones |
|---|---|---|
| Cucurbita pepo | Zucchini, Acorn Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Patty Pan | 3–11 |
| Cucurbita maxima | Hubbard, Buttercup, Kabocha, Banana Squash | 3–9 |
| Cucurbita moschata | Butternut, Calabaza, Tromboncino | 4–11 |
| Cucurbita argyrosperma | Cushaw Squash | 5–11 |
Cross-Pollination Rules for Squash
Not all squash varieties can successfully cross-pollinate with each other. They won’t cross across species.
This is why I shared the species chart.
For example, C. pepo won’t cross with C. maxima.
Squash Cross-Pollination Chart
In the last section, I explained the Squash pollination rules. Now visualize it through the basic chart:
| Species | C. pepo | C. maxima | C. moschata | C. argyrosperma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. pepo | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| C. maxima | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| C. moschata | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ |
| C. argyrosperma | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ |
- ✔ = Can cross-pollinate
- ✖ = Cannot cross-pollinate
Complete chart - Squash Cross Pollination
| Variety | Species | Can Cross With | Cannot Cross With |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zucchini | C. pepo | Acorn, Spaghetti, Delicata, Patty Pan (all C. pepo) | Butternut (C. moschata), Hubbard (C. maxima), Cushaw (C. argyrosperma) |
| Acorn Squash | C. pepo | Zucchini, Spaghetti, Delicata, Patty Pan (all C. pepo) | Butternut, Hubbard, Cushaw |
| Spaghetti Squash | C. pepo | Zucchini, Acorn, Delicata, Patty Pan | Butternut, Hubbard, Cushaw |
| Delicata | C. pepo | Spaghetti, Zucchini, Acorn | Butternut, Hubbard, Cushaw |
| Patty Pan | C. pepo | Acorn, Zucchini, Delicata | Butternut, Hubbard, Cushaw |
| Butternut Squash | C. moschata | Other moschatas: Cheese pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin | C. pepo group, C. maxima, C. argyrosperma |
| Seminole Pumpkin | C. moschata | Butternut, Cheese Pumpkin | All other species |
| Cheese Pumpkin | C. moschata | Butternut, Seminole | Others |
| Hubbard Squash | C. maxima | Buttercup, Kabocha, Banana Squash | All other species |
| Banana Squash | C. maxima | Hubbard, Buttercup | C. pepo, C. moschata, C. argyrosperma |
| Buttercup Squash | C. maxima | Hubbard, Banana, Kabocha | Others |
| Cushaw | C. argyrosperma | Other argyrospermas (rare in home gardens) | All other squash types |
Tips for Avoiding Cross-Pollination
Try to grow only one squash variety in your garden. If you want to grow multiple squash varieties at the same time, check my chart and grow squash from different species. (Different species can not cross-pollinate)
Note: If your neighbour is growing squash, pollinators can cause cross-pollination.
Someone asked me in the community, "Can we eat cross-pollinated squash?"
Yes! But the taste might be unpredictable.
If you need planting charts, feel free to visit my homepage.
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