🥒 Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
vegetables
fruit (culinary vegetable, cucurbit)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6, 8+ hours); tolerates partial shade in hot climates (Zone 8+)
💧 Water
High; 1, 2 inches per week consistently; irregular watering causes bitter fruit and misshapen cucumbers; drip irrigation ideal
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
🧪 Soil pH
6.0, 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained, sandy loam with generous compost; cucumbers are heavy feeders needing consistent fertility
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained but moisture-retentive , cucumbers are 95% water; raised beds or mounds ideal
📏 Spacing
12, 18 inches apart on trellis; 36, 48 inches apart if sprawling on ground; rows 48, 72 inches apart
⏱️ Maturity
50-70 days (from seed); pickling at 50-55 days, slicing at 55-70 days
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Fruit (whole cucumber, fresh or pickled)
🍽️ Tender leaves and stems (edible cooked in some cuisines)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (12)
🤝 Bean (bush/pole)
Beans fix nitrogen to feed cucumbers; minimal root competition; both thrive in warm soil
Attracts hoverflies and predatory wasps that eat cucumber beetles and aphids; improves cucumber growth and flavor; one of the most widely cited beneficial companions
Fenugreek fixes nitrogen and its strong scent deters cucumber pests; quick-growing companion.
Peas fix nitrogen for cucumbers and finish early before cucumbers need full space.
Lettuce provides living mulch that cools cucumber roots; compatible shallow-root companion.
Repels nematodes, cucumber beetles, and aphids; attracts beneficial predators
Repels cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies; trap crop for aphids; climbing varieties share trellis IMPORTANT management caveat: without active management, nasturtiums can become a SOURCE of aphids that migrate to nearby crops. Either remove aphid-infested nasturtium plants promptly, or treat the trap crop itself to eliminate the aphid colony before it spreads. Strategic placement within 4-5 feet of protected crops is key.
Okra provides wind protection and partial shade for cucumbers in hot climates.
Aromatic oils repel cucumber beetles and spider mites; ground cover suppresses weeds
Repels cucumber beetles and flea beetles; radishes mature quickly and are harvested before cucumbers spread
Provides partial shade in hot climates reducing heat stress; attracts pollinators; sturdy stalks can support cucumber vines
Yarrow attracts predatory insects that control cucumber beetles; improves cucumber health.
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Aromatic herbs (sage, strong mint)
Strong aromatic herbs may inhibit cucumber growth; sage in particular is antagonistic
Allelopathic , stunts cucumbers and most garden plants
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients; potatoes may promote blight that affects cucumbers; harvesting potatoes can disturb cucumber roots
💊 Medicinal Uses
Medicinal Properties
- High water content , hydrating; cooling effect on body
- Contains cucurbitacins , anti-inflammatory compounds being studied for anti-cancer properties
- Placed on eyes for reducing puffiness (traditional remedy) , contains vitamin C and caffeic acid
- Seeds: traditionally used as a diuretic
📝 Growing Notes
Trellising cucumbers saves space, improves air circulation (reducing powdery mildew), and produces straighter fruit. Parthenocarpic varieties don't need pollination. Bitter cucumbers result from stress , inconsistent watering or high heat. Cucumber beetles spread bacterial wilt , use row covers until flowering, then remove for pollination.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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