🥕 Cucumber
Cucumis sativus
vegetables fruit (culinary vegetable, cucurbit)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6–8+ hours); tolerates partial shade in hot climates (Zone 8+)
💧 Water
High; 1–2 inches per week consistently; irregular watering causes bitter fruit and misshapen cucumbers; drip irrigation ideal
🗺️ Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-drained, sandy loam with generous compost; cucumbers are heavy feeders needing consistent fertility
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
💧 Drainage
Well-drained but moisture-retentive — cucumbers are 95% water; raised beds or mounds ideal
📏 Spacing
12–18 inches apart on trellis; 36–48 inches apart if sprawling on ground; rows 48–72 inches apart
📅 Days to Maturity
50-70 days (from seed); pickling at 50-55 days, slicing at 55-70 days
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit (whole cucumber🍽️ fresh or pickled)"🍽️ "Tender leaves and stems (edible cooked in some cuisines)"]
🤝 Companions (7)
Attracts hoverflies and predatory wasps that eat cucumber beetles and aphids; improves cucumber growth and flavor; one of the most widely cited beneficial companions
Repels cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies; trap crop for aphids; climbing varieties share trellis
Repels nematodes, cucumber beetles, and aphids; attracts beneficial predators
Provides partial shade in hot climates reducing heat stress; attracts pollinators; sturdy stalks can support cucumber vines
🤝 Bean (bush/pole)
Beans fix nitrogen to feed cucumbers; minimal root competition; both thrive in warm soil
Repels cucumber beetles and flea beetles; radishes mature quickly and are harvested before cucumbers spread
Aromatic oils repel cucumber beetles and spider mites; ground cover suppresses weeds
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients; potatoes may promote blight that affects cucumbers; harvesting potatoes can disturb cucumber roots
⚠️ Aromatic herbs (sage, strong mint)
Strong aromatic herbs may inhibit cucumber growth; sage in particular is antagonistic
Allelopathic — stunts cucumbers and most garden plants
💊 Medicinal Uses
["High water content \u2014 hydrating; cooling effect on body", "Contains cucurbitacins \u2014 anti-inflammatory compounds being studied for anti-cancer properties", "Placed on eyes for reducing puffiness (traditional remedy) \u2014 contains vitamin C and caffeic acid", "Seeds: traditionally used as a diuretic"]
📝 Notes
Trellising cucumbers saves space, improves air circulation (reducing powdery mildew), and produces straighter fruit. Parthenocarpic varieties don't need pollination. Bitter cucumbers result from stress — inconsistent watering or high heat. Cucumber beetles spread bacterial wilt — use row covers until flowering, then remove for pollination.