Cucumber
Cucumis sativus • Cucurbitaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Vegetable
🌍 Origin Region
South Asia, specifically India; cultivated globally in temperate and tropical regions.
📅 Days to Maturity
50-70 days from direct sowing to maturity depending on the specific variety. Harvest continuously to encourage more production.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Typically grown as an annual in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-11. Extremely sensitive to frost.
About This Seed
The seed is flat, oval-shaped, light tan or cream-colored, with a smooth texture and typically measures about 8-10 mm in length. The resulting plant is a trailing or climbing vine with large, lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and cylindrical fleshy fruits eaten as a vegetable.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Warm season crop; plant in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Sensitive to frost, typically direct sown or started indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost.
Germination
Germinates in 3-10 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-95°F (21-35°C). High germination rate (85-95%). Requires darkness for germination; no pre-treatment or scarification necessary.
Planting Instructions
Plant 0.5 to 1 inch deep. Space seeds about 12 inches apart, thinning to 24-36 inches apart in rows spaced 4-6 feet apart. Prefers rich, well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (6-8 hours daily). Needs consistent moisture, about 1 inch of water per week; moderate drought tolerance once established, but water stress makes fruit bitter.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include dill, radishes, marigolds, nasturtiums, and beans. Avoid growing near potatoes or aromatic herbs like sage.
Special Characteristics
Fast-growing, highly productive, pollinator-friendly (requires bees for pollination unless grown as a parthenocarpic variety), and responds well to trellising.