VegetableCucumber
Cucumber
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are annual tendril-bearing vines native to southern Asia, now grown worldwide in home gardens and commercial operations for their edible fruits. These frost-intolerant plants thrive in zones 2 to 11, producing both male and female flowers in spring (April through May) on vigorous vines that reach 9 to 18 inches tall and spread 36 to 96 inches wide. The diversity of cucumber varieties is remarkable, ranging from small gherkin types to long slicing varieties, so selecting cultivars by growth habit, fruit type, flowering pattern, and disease resistance allows gardeners to tailor their harvest to their specific needs and space.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-11
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
18 in
Height
96 in
Width
TypeVining
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-11
Size
18in H x 96in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Cucumbers flower prolifically in spring with fragrant, showy blooms that announce the arrival of fruit to come. Their edible output is equally showy, with fruits that mature quickly once the vines establish themselves in full sun. The tendril-bearing growth habit makes them excellent candidates for trellising, which saves garden space and improves air circulation around the foliage. Because varieties span from compact gherkins to sprawling slicers, there's a cucumber for nearly every garden size and culinary purpose.
Common Uses
Fresh cucumbers are sliced raw into salads, served chilled with dips, or added to sandwiches and grain bowls. They're fermented into pickles, a preservation method that transforms their crisp texture and mild flavor into tangy, complex condiments. Cucumber-infused waters and cocktails showcase their refreshing character. Smaller gherkin varieties are prized for pickling whole, while longer slicing types are better suited to fresh eating and salads.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors in pots or containers about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after frost danger has completely passed and soil has warmed.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings into the garden at the last spring frost date or later, once soil has warmed and frost risk is eliminated. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart to accommodate their sprawling growth habit.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in the garden at the last spring frost date. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in rows 4 to 6 feet apart, or in hills spaced 4 to 6 feet apart.
Harvesting
Harvest cucumbers when they reach the size appropriate for your variety: smaller gherkins when 2 to 4 inches long, and slicing types when 6 to 8 inches long. Pick fruits regularly and at peak ripeness to encourage continued production throughout the season. Use a knife or pruners to cut fruit from the vine rather than pulling, which can damage the plant.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Bloom Time
Seasonal Bloomer
Tolerances
Black Walnut
Scientific Classification
Cucumis sativus
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Growth Habit
Vining
Native Status
L48 (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Cucumbers originated in southern Asia and have been cultivated for thousands of years, spreading across continents through trade and cultivation. The genus Cucumis belongs to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), a group of plants humans have depended on for food and medicine since ancient times. Modern cucumber breeding has produced the diversity we see today, from heirloom open-pollinated varieties treasured by seed savers to hybrid cultivars bred specifically for disease resistance or productivity in particular climates.”