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Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Vegetables

Refreshing vine crop that thrives in warm weather. Can be grown on a trellis to save space and improve air circulation.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterHighCalculate watering amount
Height30–200 cm
Spread60 cm
Spacing40 cm
Row Spacing120 cm
Germination7–14 days
To Harvest50–70 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

PotatoSageMint

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Cucumber is listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats by the ASPCA. Safe for humans; however, extremely bitter fruits high in cucurbitacins should be discarded as they can cause stomach upset.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) in a warm, sheltered spot; soil temperature should be at least 15°C (60°F) before planting.
SoilFertile, well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0-6.5.
Sowing Depth2.5 cm
Planting Depth5 cm
WateringProvide about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week using drip or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry; consistent moisture is critical during fruiting.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingApply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with nitrogen once runners develop; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leaves over fruit.

Care Tip: Train vines on a trellis to improve air circulation and fruit quality, and harvest frequently to encourage continued production.

Common Pests

Cucumber Beetle

Symptoms: Feeding damage on seedlings, leaves, and flowers; can transmit bacterial wilt causing sudden vine wilting.

Treatment: Apply targeted insecticides (e.g., pyrethrin or neem oil) when beetles first appear; remove and destroy heavily infested plants.

Prevention: Use row covers on young plants, practice crop rotation, and plant resistant varieties.

Aphids

Symptoms: Curled and deformed leaves, sticky honeydew residue, and black sooty mold on foliage.

Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with a strong water spray.

Prevention: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, and inspect plants regularly.

Spider Mites

Symptoms: Fine stippling on leaves, yellowing or bronzing of foliage, and tiny orange-red dots on leaf undersides with fine webbing.

Treatment: Apply miticides or horticultural oil; spray undersides of leaves thoroughly with water.

Prevention: Maintain adequate humidity around plants, avoid drought stress, and remove heavily infested leaves.

Common Diseases

Powdery Mildew

Symptoms: White, powdery fungal spots on upper leaf surfaces that spread and cause yellowing and premature leaf drop.

Treatment: Apply fungicides (sulfur-based or potassium bicarbonate) at first signs; remove severely affected leaves.

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation with proper spacing, use drip irrigation to keep foliage dry, and choose resistant varieties.

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Angular yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with gray-purple fuzzy growth on undersides; rapid leaf browning.

Treatment: Apply copper-based or targeted fungicides promptly; remove and destroy infected foliage.

Prevention: Plant resistant cultivars, avoid overhead watering, and ensure adequate plant spacing for airflow.

Bacterial Wilt

Symptoms: Sudden, severe wilting of individual vines that does not recover with watering; cut stems exude a sticky, milky sap.

Treatment: No chemical cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants immediately to limit spread.

Prevention: Control cucumber beetles (the primary vector), use row covers on young plants, and practice crop rotation.