What it is
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is in the Cucurbitaceae (Gourd) family. Fast, forgiving, and prolific. Trellis it to save space and grow straighter fruit.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it high — consistent moisture, and give it rich, well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 12 in apart. Expect roughly 50–70. Warm-season annual.
How it's used
Cucumber is used: fresh, pickled.
🔎 How to identify it
- Rough lobed leaves on climbing vines
- Yellow flowers, separate male and female
- Tendrils that grab a trellis
Edibility
PartsFruit
UsesFresh, pickled
CautionBitter fruit (rare) comes from heat/water stress — cut and discard the bitter end.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.