Abstract: A Cucumis melo plant, wherein the plant homozygously includes in its genome a mutant allele of the staygreen (sgr) gene on chromosome 9, wherein the mutant allele of the sgr gene includes at least one loss-of-function mutation in comparison to the sequence of a wild-type sgr allele (SEQ ID NO:1) and wherein the mutant allele of the sgr gene confers rind color stability to the fruits of the plant at maturity and/or during post-harvest, in comparison with an isogenic non-long shelf life (non-LSL) Cucumis melo plant which does not include the mutant allele. This further relates to parts, cells and seeds of the plants, as well as related methods and processes.