Cucumis sativus 'MiniStars'

RHS Plant Profile
cucumber 'MiniStars'

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cucumber 'MiniStars' RHS
cucumber 'MiniStars' RHS

Other common names

cucumber 'Mini Star'

Annual Biennial

A snack-sized cucumber with 10cm long, smooth-skinned fruit suitable for growing outdoors, including tubs and hanging baskets, or under glass

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing, Trailing
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Start from seed or buy as small plants and grow in a heated greenhouse, or on a windowsill. Can be moved to an unheated greenhouse, or outdoors, once all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly, feed plants in containers every 10-14 days, and provide support.

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens

Pruning

Under glass, remove the tip of the plant once it reaches the top of the support. Shorten sideshoots to two leaves beyond any developing fruit, or to 60cm if they have no fruit. If left to trail outdoors shorten the main shoot, and sideshoots with no fruit, after seven leaves

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Has some resistance, but may be susceptible to cucumber mosaic virus and powdery mildews