Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
Cucumber is a warm-season vining plant in the gourd family, grown for its long green fruits. It is fast-growing and productive when given heat, sun, and steady moisture.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Deep, regular watering
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a tender annual vine in the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family, related to melons, squash, and pumpkins. It has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, originating in the Indian subcontinent.
The plant produces long trailing or climbing stems with tendrils, large leaves, and yellow flowers that give way to the familiar elongated green fruits. Botanically the fruit is a type of berry.
Growers divide cucumbers into slicing types, pickling types, and seedless greenhouse (English) varieties.
How to identify it
Cucumber is a sprawling or climbing vine with bristly stems and broad leaves.
- Leaves: Large, triangular to palmate with 3 to 5 lobes, rough and hairy
- Stems: Trailing vines with coiling tendrils for climbing
- Flowers: Yellow, star-shaped; separate male and female flowers on the same plant
- Fruit: Elongated, cylindrical, green (sometimes warty or smooth), with pale flesh and small seeds
- Size: Vines can reach 6 feet or more when trellised
Care & growing
Cucumbers are easy but demand warmth and consistent water.
- Light: Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours daily
- Water: Deep, regular watering at the base; uneven moisture causes misshapen fruit
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter; pH 6.0 to 7.0
- Temperature: Warm-season; needs soil above 60 F and thrives at 70 to 85 F. Frost-sensitive.
- Feeding: Feed with balanced fertilizer, then higher potassium as fruit sets
- Propagation: Direct sow seed after frost, or transplant. Trellising improves airflow and fruit quality.
Habitat & origin
Cucumber originated in India, where its wild relatives still grow, and spread along ancient trade routes to the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.
It is now grown worldwide wherever summers are warm. In cool climates it is often raised in greenhouses or under cover. It is a staple of home vegetable gardens and large-scale commercial fields alike.
Frequently asked questions
Do cucumbers need a trellis?
Not required, but trellising saves space, improves airflow to reduce disease, keeps fruit straight and clean, and makes harvesting easier.
Why do my plants flower but set no fruit?
Early flowers are often male and produce no fruit. Female flowers (with a tiny cucumber behind them) come later and need pollination, so encourage bees or hand-pollinate.
How often should the fruit be picked?
Pick every day or two during peak season. Frequent picking signals the plant to keep producing new fruit.
Cucumber guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Cucumber.
