Cucumber
Cucumis sativus • Cucurbitaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
South Asia (Himalayan foothills); widely adapted globally
📅 Days to Maturity
50-70 days depending on variety. Harvest frequently to encourage continued production.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-12 as a summer annual. Very frost-sensitive.
About This Seed
The seeds are flat, elliptical, and tear-drop shaped. Naturally cream-colored, these specific seeds are coated in a bright green antimicrobial fungicide (Thiram or similar). The resulting plant is a vigorous trailing or climbing vine with large, lobed green leaves and yellow flowers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Warm season; plant after all danger of frost has passed and soil is at least 65°F (18°C)
Germination
Germinates in 3-10 days. Optimal soil temperature: 70-90°F. No light required for germination; keep moist but not waterlogged.
Planting Instructions
Planting depth: 1 inch. Spacing: 12 inches apart for trellised plants or 3 feet apart for hills. Soil: Well-drained, rich in organic matter. pH: 6.0-7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8+ hours). Consistent watering is essential to prevent bitterness; requires 1-2 inches of water per week.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Corn, beans, peas, radish, marigolds (deter pests). Avoid: Potatoes and strong aromatic herbs like sage.
Special Characteristics
Treated coating prevents 'damping off' and seed rot in cool soils. Vines produce both male and female flowers and typically require insect pollination.