The changes of growth phase and quality indicators during different growth stages of chayote were measured and analyzed. The results indicated that the growth curve of chayote showed single sigmoid pattern and the trends of quality indicators were different with fruit development dynamics. Respiration rate decreased rapidly with fruit development and respiration peak appeared at maturity; the contents of Vc, chlorophyll and hydrolysis amino acids were higher during the young fruit development, then decreased to a low level; while cellulose content and hardness showed the opposite trends. The fruit had fully grown with higher content of amino acids, lower respiratory rate and better quality and storability on the 10^th d after flowering when was the optimal harvest period.