VegetableCucumber
West Indian Gherkin Cucumber
West Indian Gherkin Cucumber (Cucumis anguria) is a vigorous heirloom vining variety that produces an abundance of small, spiky fruits throughout the summer growing season. Unlike standard cucumbers, these gherkins are open-pollinated and thrive in warm climates across hardiness zones 2-13, reaching maturity in just 50-59 days. The plants grow as sprawling vines reaching 36-48 inches, making them excellent candidates for trellising in gardens, containers, or raised beds where space allows.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
48 in
Height
TypeVining
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
48in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
These plants are remarkably prolific, producing fruits continuously from summer through fall without the lag periods common in many cucumber varieties. The vigorous vines generate such abundant foliage and fruit that they quickly fill whatever space you give them, rewarding patient gardeners with dozens of harvestable gherkins. Growing them on a trellis saves precious garden space while making harvesting easier and improving air circulation to prevent disease.
Common Uses
These small, spiky gherkins are primarily grown for pickling, where their firm texture and size make them ideal for traditional whole-fruit preservation. They can also be used fresh in salads or as crudités, though pickling remains their traditional and most popular application. The prolific harvest throughout the season supplies home preservers with a steady supply for canning.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches 60°F or warmer, spacing plants 18 inches apart. Harden off transplants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before final planting.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds into warm soil after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperature reaches 60°F. Sow seeds 1 inch deep, 2-3 seeds per spot, then thin to the strongest seedling once established.
Harvesting
Begin harvesting gherkins when they reach 2-3 inches in length, typically 50-59 days after planting. Pick them regularly while still small and tender; frequent harvesting encourages continued fruiting throughout the season. Gherkins should feel firm and crisp when squeezed. Check plants every 2-3 days during peak season, as fruits grow quickly and are most desirable at smaller sizes for pickling. Use pruning shears or a knife to cut fruits cleanly from the vine rather than pulling, which can damage the plant.
Pruning
As a vining variety, West Indian Gherkins benefit from trellising rather than pruning. Guide the main vines onto your support structure and allow them to sprawl naturally; the vigorous growth habit means lateral shoots will develop prolifically and cover your trellis densely. Remove only diseased or damaged growth, as the abundant foliage actually helps shade developing fruits and protects them from sunburn.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis anguria
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)PR (I)VI (I)
History & Origin
“The West Indian Gherkin represents a distinct species within the Cucumis genus, originating from the West Indies where it has been cultivated for generations. This heirloom, open-pollinated variety carries the genetic heritage of traditional Caribbean and tropical agriculture, preserved and passed down through seed-saving communities who recognized its exceptional productivity and reliability in warm climates.”