If you’ve just dropped in after poking your head down the “gourd vs. squash” rabbit hole, welcome—you’ve got every right to be confused. The terminology really is a mess. Out in the garden, we’ve got gourds masquerading as squash and squash rendering themselves entirely inedible—intent instead on transforming into hard-shelled, highly decorative novelties. It’s a full-blown identity crisis.
In all seriousness, though, the problem isn’t the plants; it’s the language we’ve layered onto them. In this post, I’m going to cut through some of that confusing terminology and get to the bottom of a popular question: Is a gourd a squash? And if you’ve arrived here with the opposite question—Is a squash a gourd?—I’ll take care of that too.
Martinhouse Bottle Gourds, one of the true gourd varieties, are traditionally used for making bird houses for Purple Martins.
Does It Matter?
Of course it does. Is there anything more important? Just kidding—for most gardeners, it’s of little consequence whether the variety they’re growing is technically a squash or a gourd, so long as they know how to use it.
With one important exception.
Seed savers must be keenly aware of the species they are growing if they expect their seed to breed true. Squash and gourds are outbreeding plants, and with the help of bees they will readily cross-pollinate with anything nearby that belongs to the same species. In other words, a zucchini and a pumpkin grown in close proximity may produce seeds that give rise to… zumpkins. (Forgive the oversimplification.)
To avoid this, seed savers typically grow only one variety within a given species each year—or else take steps to isolate blossoms. For that reason, it becomes extremely important to know exactly which species you’re dealing with, lest you encounter an unwelcome surprise the following season.
The Cucuzzi Squash is an Italian heirloom that is harvested young and prepared much like a zucchini. If we're being precise, though, it's technically a gourd.
Sooo...Is a Gourd a Squash?
I respect your time, so here’s the short answer: no. Botanically speaking, gourds are not squash.
If you’d like to understand why—or simply want to top off your trivia tank—read on.
The Taxonomy (Briefly, I Promise)
Both squash and gourds belong to the same plant family, the Cucurbitaceae—the cucurbit family. This includes cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, squash, gourds, and a number of less familiar vines.
Where things begin to separate is at the genus level.
Squash—including pumpkins—belong to the genus Cucurbita. Most garden varieties fall into one of four domesticated species:
- Cucurbita pepo
- Cucurbita maxima
- Cucurbita moschata
- Cucurbita argyrosperma
True gourds, on the other hand, typically belong to entirely different genera. The most common is Lagenaria (which includes the bottle gourd), though others such as Luffa (loofah gourds) and Trichosanthes (snake gourds) also enter the conversation.
So while squash and gourds are relatives—they share a family—they are not the same genus, and that distinction matters botanically.
The beautiful and endlessly fun Tennessee Spinning Gourd. From Tennessee? Probably. Spinny? Absolutely. Gourd? Nope.
So Why the Confusion?
On the surface, the taxonomy seems straightforward—so where does the mix-up begin?
Much of the confusion stems from our colloquial use of the word “gourd.” Historically, the term has been applied to almost anything with a hard shell and dry, fibrous interior at maturity. In everyday language, “gourd” describes a look and a texture—not a genus.
Botanically speaking, most true gourds belong to the genus Lagenaria. Bottle gourds, birdhouse gourds, and dipper gourds all fall within this group.
There are, however, some notable—and famous—imposters.
Several decorative “gourds” commonly grown in gardens are actually squash, belonging to the genus Cucurbita. Varieties such as:
- Crown of Thorns Gourd – A small, deeply ribbed ornamental with dramatic, pointed protrusions radiating from its surface. It looks every bit the part of a classic hard-shelled gourd, yet it is botanically a Cucurbita pepo squash.
- Tennessee Spinning Gourd – A smooth, round ornamental traditionally used as a child’s spinning toy once dried. Despite its common name, this too is a squash—another member of Cucurbita pepo.
- Nest Egg Gourd – A small, white, egg-shaped fruit once tucked into chicken nests to encourage laying. It resembles a gourd—and even makes a cute loofah-like sponge once fully mature—but alas, it's actually a C. pepo squash.
All three mature with firm rinds and dry interiors, meeting our cultural expectations of what a “gourd” should be—yet genetically, they are squash.
The confusion also runs in the opposite direction. A few plants commonly referred to as squash are, botanically speaking, true gourds. The most famous example is Cucuzza squash, which belongs to the genus Lagenaria. Other gourds—such as luffa (Luffa) and snake gourd (Trichosanthes)—are often harvested young and used much like summer squash, further blurring the culinary lines.
In short, common names follow function and appearance. Botany follows lineage. And the two don’t always agree.
The nest egg gourd is a very old Appalachian heirloom that was once used to encourage young hens to lay in their nesting boxes. As interesting as it is, the term gourd here isn't quite accurate.
How to Tell What You’re Growing
If you got your seed from us, the genus and species are listed right on the packet and on the product page. That’s the easiest way to know what you’re dealing with.
But if you’re unsure, there are some fairly reliable field markers.
Squash (Cucurbita) tend to have stiff, prickly stems and broad leaves that feel slightly abrasive to the touch. The vines are sturdy, and the leaf surfaces often carry that unmistakable bristly texture.
True gourds, particularly Lagenaria, are different. Their stems and leaves are typically softer and fuzzy rather than prickly. In many cases, even the immature fruit will have a faint fuzz to it.
There’s also the matter of scent. Brush the leaves of a gourd plant and you may notice a distinct aroma—distinctly, well… nacho cheese. Not the good kind. The squeezed-from-a-bag, concession stand kind. You’ll know it when you encounter it.
None of these traits are perfect on their own, but taken together, they offer strong clues about whether you’re growing a squash or a gourd.
Crown of Thorns gourds are one of the more popular "gourds" to grow for fall decorations. Technically, though, they're not gourds at all.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it—squash are not gourds, and gourds are not squash… unless you’re speaking in historical terms, in which case they absolutely are. Crystal clear, right?
Joking aside, I hope this article has been at least somewhat helpful in untangling the confusion around squash and gourds. The next time you find yourself tiptoeing through a row of Cucuzza, you’ll know: they aren’t squash—and that nacho cheese smell isn’t dinner.
Ready to grow your own? Check out our full selection of heirloom gourd and squash seeds. Species-specific growing information (and seed saving notes) can be found on the lower portion of each product page.
