This crop requires warm temperatures and high light intensity. Optimum growth temperatures are 18–20 °C and 24–30 °C, for night and day, respectively.  Melons prefer deep soils, well-supplied with organic matter and a pH around neutral. Melons tolerate slightly alkaline or salty soils and are fairly resistant to moderate drought, but normally need irrigation. All melon varieties are heavy potassium-feeders, as they require K at rates 2.4-fold higher than nitrogen.