VegetableCucumber
Spacemaster 80 Cucumber
Slicing Cucumber
Spacemaster 80 is a compact, open-pollinated slicing cucumber bred for gardeners who dream big in small spaces. Its dark green, smooth fruits reach 7-8 inches on dwarf vines that stay under 36 inches tall, making it exceptional for containers, raised beds, and tight garden corners. Ready to harvest in 60-62 days, this heirloom variety thrives in zones 2-13 and resists Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, and Scab, so you can grow with confidence even in challenging seasons.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp70-85°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
—
Width
36 in
Spacing
60–62
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual
TypeVine, Forb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The vines produce no runners and stay remarkably contained, a trait that earned this variety its name and makes it genuinely different from sprawling slicing cucumbers. Its dark green, uniform fruits are crisp and clean, perfectly suited for fresh slicing straight off the vine. What makes this truly special is its dual nature: compact enough for hanging baskets and pots, yet productive enough to satisfy serious gardeners who don't have room for traditional sprawling varieties.
Common Uses
This is a slicing cucumber through and through, eaten fresh from the vine or chilled in salads. The uniform 7-8 inch size makes it perfect for individual servings, and the crisp texture holds up well in composed salads and vegetable platters. Many gardeners prize it for quick harvests and snacking straight from the garden, especially those growing in containers where the compact habit keeps plants accessible.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
First Harvest
Mid-summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 2-4 weeks before your average last frost date in biodegradable pots, as cucumbers are sensitive to root disturbance. Keep soil warm and consistently moist until germination. Transplant into the garden once soil temperatures reach at least 60°F, ideally 70-90°F.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date, when soil temperature is at least 60°F and ideally 70-90°F. Space plants 12-36 inches apart depending on your layout and support system. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving to the garden.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors 1-2 weeks after your average last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60°F. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep.
Harvesting
Pick fruits when they reach 7-8 inches long and are still dark green with a firm texture. Harvest regularly to encourage continued production throughout the season. Cucumbers picked at this size are crispest and most flavorful. Check plants every 2-3 days during peak season, as fruit can grow quickly in warm weather.
Pruning
Spacemaster 80 produces no runners, so pruning is minimal. If any side growth emerges as the plants mature, you can remove it to maintain the compact habit and direct energy to fruit production. The dwarf vines are self-contained and don't require the aggressive pruning needed for full-size cucumber varieties.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucumis sativus L.
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucumis
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Spacemaster 80 emerged as an open-pollinated heirloom cultivar specifically engineered for gardeners fighting the eternal space problem. The breeding focused on containing the vining habit while maintaining full productivity, resulting in a cucumber that delivers standard-sized slicing fruits on miniaturized plants. Its acceptance across seed catalogs and home gardeners reflects decades of refinement and preservation of a variety that solved a real problem: how to grow full-size cucumbers without surrendering your entire garden.”