Botanical illustration of Squirting Cucumber
🎨 AI-generated botanical illustration

🥕 Squirting Cucumber

Ecballium elaterium
vegetables Perennial Cucurbitaceae
☀️ Sun
Full Sun
💧 Water
Low
🗺️ Zones
8-11
🧪 Soil pH
6.5-7.5
🪴 Soil Type
Well-draining, sandy
🚿 Drainage
Well-drained
📏 Spacing
24-36 in
📐 Height
12-24 in (sprawling)

🤝 Companions (2)

🤝 Caution: toxic
Grow in isolated area away from edibles
🤝 Nasturtium
Both sprawling; nasturtium attracts beneficials nearby

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

⚠️ Fennel
Allelopathic - may inhibit growth
⚠️ Mint
Aggressive mint competes for resources
⚠️ Walnut
Susceptible to juglone toxicity from walnut trees

📝 Growing Notes

Famous for violently ejecting seeds when touched! Toxic but fascinating. Traditional medicine use. Grow as conversation piece.

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