Cucumis sativus

RHS Plant Profile

cucumber

Other common names

gherkin, khira

Fruit Edible Annual Biennial

The wild species of cucumber from which all other cultivars have been derived. It is a deciduous, annual, vining plant to 2m (6½ft) high, climbing by means of thin tendrils at the leaf nodes and producing yellow separate male and female flowers on the same plant the females after pollination, bearing the familiar, cylindrical, dark green, edible fruit, up to 40cm (16in) in length

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Pets: Bitter fruit can be TOXIC if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Cucumis is a genus of twining plants with tendrils which includes cucumber, melons and gerkins. Around 30 species are native to Africa and 25 to India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in an acidic to neutral, moisture-retentive, well drained compost and a position in full sun, in a conservatory, greenhouse, or outdoors in summer in the UK. See cucumber cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Edible fruit
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pinch out tips of leading stems once they have reached the top of thee trellis or growing support. Laterals should be pruned two leaves beyond where a fruit is developing to divert the plant's energy into the development of the fruit, rather than into the lateral's vegetative growth

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to Cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildews