This versatile green forms rosettes of smooth, spoon-shaped leaves coveted by fine chefs while being hardy and Used as a mulch with straw to overwinter in cold area.Some plants go dormant in fall and winter. so if you buy certain plants this time they will arrive looking dead. However they are not dead they are resting and will sprout new green leaves in spring. please do not buy during fall and winter if you are not willing to accept a plant that is dormant. Remove the bitter gourds from the plant before they are ripe and when they are still firm; they ripen quickly on or off the plant. We will try for ship in 24 hours. Thank you for looking